Another museum

Just down the hill from the botanical garden is the Museu Olímpic i de l'Esport Joan Antoni Samaranch (Olympic and Sports Museum).  Two of us decided to visit after putting the kids on two different buses as they headed on their own way.

I had always thought of the former president of the International Olympic Committee Juan Antonio Samaranch, which is also the way his name is written in his obituary, but the museum lists his name in Catalan, Joan Antoni Samaranch. After a bit of looking, this is the only place I see his name written this way.  He was born and he died in Barcelona, but Catalan was not the language of the land most of the time he lived there. I guess the locals want to claim him (even though he worked for Franco, although D. points out that all old people worked for him, otherwise they wouldn't get to be old people).

The format of the museum was started with an historical focus, but it was also by sport, partially based on what pieces the museum owns. Despite the mildly random feel to it, I enjoyed the variety. I never knew roller hockey was so big in Spain.

"Mia Hamm
(United States), best football player in history"

Suit used by synchronized team in honor of the centennial of Salvador Dali's birth.

World Aquatics Championships 2013 in Barcelona
Orland Duque on the 27-meter platform

Braille was on the medals for the first time for 1992 Paralympics.

One of our favorite displays showed the different Olympic torches.

Sydney 2000

Los Angeles 1984

The collection of mascots made me think of my younger sister.

The pin collection made me think of my dad. I think my younger sister collects these, too.

The enormous stamp collection made me think of my mom and her older sister.

JA Samaranch had a lot of collections, including buckeyes!
Shown is only a portion of what he had.

We are lucky to be here for the 25th anniversary of the Barcelona Olympics. The Barcelona Olympic Foundation has all sorts of activities. They even have an art activity, which makes me think of my older sister!

I am ready to go to Switzerland to see their Olympic museum. 

Excursion

My Spanish teacher arranged for her students to take an excursion to the national museum to see the special exhibit about the Catalonian aritst Lluïsa Vidal.  She grew up the daughter of a painter and learned a lot about Vidal and was happy to share her knowledge with us.

 Afterward we were able to walk around the rooftop terrace

and have great views of the building and surroundings.

Most people went back to Sant Cugat at the end of the field trip, but I was not in a rush.  I headed uphill and strolled around a bit.

Olympian with torch

Olympic Stadium at Plaça de Nemesi Ponsati (a swimmer!).

Torre Telefónica (in addition to other names) was built to broadcast the Olympics in 1992.

This little spot looked inviting but the clouds were rolling in.

I got on the funicular and headed home.

Another outing

We have been here less than three weeks and I am already wondering if we will have time to do everything we want.  I am guessing the answer is no, but we will do a lot of things.

We took the funicular up Montjuïc again,
but this time after we got out we walked up to the Castell de Montjuïc.

There was an archery competition in the former moat.

I have learned so much Catalonian and Spanish history in the last few weeks.  I am not sure I had ever heard about the War of Spanish Succession (which last weekend's events were marking) or knew how Spain became a democracy in my lifetime.

After wandering around we made our way back down

and took a quick peek in the Olympic Stadium
(which is named after the former president who was executed at the castle we had just visited).
Another time I want to swim in the Olympic pool and visit the Olympic museum.

Wow!  And that was before we even went inside!

The view from the roof.

En plein air

Furniture by Gaudi

What I want for our next fireplace screen

photo by A.

We saw this ad on the train - maybe we should try it for our next outing.

p.s.  It is so hard to figure out which pictures to use.  I have to learn to take fewer to make the decision easier.