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El Borne |
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El Born |
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El Born has been a Barcelona centre of trade since the beginning, whereas once you came to buy a horse or a shipment of cacao from the New World you are now more likely to come for the designer textiles or the artwork and souvenirs from the streets around the Picasso Museum, a museum which in itself remains a definite reason to visit the area.
Much of El Born´s character is rooted in the emergence of a merchant class in Barcelona. The street names bear witness to the different trades that once characterised the area, and where you today find restaurants, cafés and clubs you once had storage rooms, stables and workshops. The proximity to the sea has historically meant a vibrant and prosperous neighbourhood.
As a result, the narrow streets of El Born are filled with interesting spaces to explore. The most impressive architectural site of the area (and for some in the whole of Barcelona) is the church of Santa Maria del Mar, by many seen as the prime example of the Catalan-Gothic architecture. The square in front of the main entrance is also a perfect setting for enjoying a glass of cava while planning the next move into the maze that is El Born. Besides being one of the city´s finest shopping areas, going out for a glass in one of the bars and dining-out here should be on any Barcelona "to do" list. El Born offers perhaps the most varied dining experiences in town with a bias towards modern Catalan and crossover cuisine. After prospering and almost vanishing El Born is yet again "where it´s at", and just when you think you´ve seen all there is of the neighbourhood, yet another alley appears to merit further investigation!
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