El Raval, the true essence of Barcelona

Barcelona is a multicultural city, having absorbed elements of a lot of cultures from all over the world. It is characterized by a wide range of different locations, you can have a good time at the sea, have a walk through the mountains, appreciate modern areas, or visit the old city centre. 

However, if you really want to enjoy the true atmosphere of this incredible city, the only thing you have to do is to get lost in the Ciutat Vella, a magic neighborhood full of small streets, hidden bars and shops, and secret places to discover. Ciutat Vella is divided in four main areas: the most famous Barri Gotic, Barceloneta, Sant Pere and last but not least, the Raval.

El Raval in particular is one of the most attractive and fascinating neighborhood in Barcelona, one of the most authentic and genuine. It was born as an expansion of the medieval defensive walls of the city, surrounded by Poble Sec district, Sant Antoni district and Barri Gotic. It hosts 50000 inhabitants from all the world in just 1,1 square kilometres. 
Originally it was home to giant vegetable patches grown to meet the needs of the city, then with the Industrial Revolution they were transformed into factories, but it is only in the 20th century that the Raval became more and more populated. The south area of the neighborhood became the real "red light district" of Barcelona, characterized by overcrowding, prostitution and drug trafficking, and the situation didn't change until the government decided to start designing an urban renewal plan in preparation for the 1992 Summer Olympics Games. New houses and streets were built, as well as new parks and squares. In addition, they built the famous Rambla del Raval in the hearth of the district, characterized by the enormous cat sculpture designed by Fernando Botero.

Today Raval is a neighborhood full of life, where art and night life meet in colourful streets. It is home of many theatres, cultural centres, galleries, academies and museums like the Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA) or the Barcelona Centre of Contemporary Culture (CCCB), that allow new artists and intellectuals to emerge. Moreover, its lounges, nightclubs, bars and lots of live music will entertain you all night long for sure!

There are even some classics gems such as the Bar Marsella or the London pub, where the likes of Hemingway, Picasso or Dalì often went to drink a cup of absynth or beer. Finally, the Boqueria indoor market, the vintage shops in Ribera Baixa and the Filmoteca de Catalunya are some of the many treasures that reside in this fascinating neighborhood.

Holi, it's raining colours!

Holi is a Hindu celebration that more or less takes place in the spring equinox. During Holi, people throw coloured chalk on the others with a special signification for each colour: the red one refers to happiness and love, the green one wishes harmony, the orange one optimism and the blue one means vitality.

Originally, Hindu people celebrated Holi as the last funny thing to do before working hard while planting. The celebration starts with a huge fire for the first night, reminding the cremation of Holika, a deamon who was killed by Vishnu, the Preserver God in the Hindu religion.

Vishnu, the Preserver

During the day after, write-dressed people walk with pigments and throw them on the others in the street. After that, they apologise saying "Bura na mano, Holî hai" - Don't be mad, it's Holi.

This year, Holi was celebrated on the 6th March in Hindu religion. But in Barcelona, where Holi is celebrated every year as well, the date was the 12th April.

After travelling to the very North of the city, and climbing a horrible slope, you finally could arrive to a nice area, and face a huge multi-coloured crowd.

During the day, there were some "explosions" of colours, during when the crowd was literally bleue-green-orange-red painted, enjoying the warmth and the joy of the celebration. It was also possible to buy chalk bags for some Euros and have a lot of fun throwing chalk on friends as well as on strangers.

Holi in Barcelona is also the occasion to listen to very good music under the sun, but also to be watched weirdly in the metro and to be asked about why and where you were painted that way. In short, a very fun experience that you should try and enjoy too!