“Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.” ~Miriam Beard
Barcelona is the hub of sports in Spain. Home to some of the most talked-about stadiums in the world, Barcelona is a city that perfectly embodies architectural excellence while exuding a positively overwhelming sport spirit. Host to the adrenaline pumping Olympic Games in 1992, Barcelona deserves accolade for the way it achieves the perfect balance between the Olympic action and comfort it offered to those flocked to the city.
If you think, it is just the Olympic Games that brought Barcelona to the limelight, nothing can be farther from truth as Barcelona houses a populace that worships sports with the stadiums serving as churches. Unlike any other travel destination in the world, Barcelona is one of those very few cities in the world where tourists come to absorb the magnificence and grandeur of sites associated with sports.
While there are a lot of stadiums in the country, two of the most amazing ones that draw a constant stream of tourists throughout the year are briefly illustrated below.
Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys
Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys is an impressive stadium in Barcelona. Constructed in 1927 to host the famous International Exposition in Barcelona, it was renovated in 1989 to serve as the main venue for the 1992 Summer Olympics Games. Nestled beautifully in Montjuic, which is a hill overlooking the city’s harbor, Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys has the capacity to accommodate more than 55000 individuals.
The stadium was renamed in 2001 after the former president of the country. He was executed in Montjuic Castle which is in close proximity of the stadium by the regime known as Franco. The stadium has not only seen countless sport performances but has also staged a seemingly endless list of concerts and musical events as well. All this and a lot more have earned the stadium a reputation others cannot even dream of. The most recent event hosted by Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys was the 20th European Athletics Championships that were held back in 2010.
Camp Nou
Barcelona’s obsession with football is no secret. Being the city where the renowned Barcelona FC was born, football is a sport that the masses and classes religiously pursue. For those residing in Barcelona, Camp Nou is a name that needs no introduction. The stadium is home to the Futbol Club Barcelona since 1957. Camp Nou is the biggest stadium in the entire European continent and when it comes to capacity, it is the 11th largest. The stadium can formerly seat a total of 98’787 individuals. However, the capacity was trimmed down to 96’336 in the matches that UEFA organized.
The stadium has witnessed countless international matches including the football competition in the 1992 Olympics and two finals of the UEFA Champions League. Owned and operated by FC Barcelona, it is one of the most accessible stadiums in the city.
Apart from the beauty and tongue-tingling cuisines, it is the stadiums in Barcelona that can make your trip to the area an unforgettable experience.