Haec omnia tibi dabo si cadens adoraveris me.
Latin scholars know that the words “tibi dabo” mean “I’ll give you,” and that the sentence means “All of this I will give to you if you fall down and worship me.” Biblical historians tells us that Satan stood on top of a mountain and said these words to Jesus. Residents of Barcelona believe that this noteworthy event took place on top of their very own Mount Tibidabo, and that “all this” refers to the splendid panoramic view of the city of Barcelona and the aquamarine Mediterranean Sea.
Eat, Pray and Play
Rising 1,680 feet above the city of Barcelona, Mount Tibidabo houses a selection of quintessentially Spanish cafes, along with the Neo-Gothic Sacred Heart Church, or in Spanish, El Sagrat Cor. The church sits incongruously adjacent to the Tibidabo Amusement Park, the oldest amusement park in Barcelona.
El Sagrat Cor, boasts three steep terraces that seem to plunge off the mountain’s precipice. It offers an adventure in its own right, which requires visitors to make a leap of faith, and stay calm at dizzying heights. Climb a staircase to reach the first terrace. Going higher requires paying a small fee to take the elevator. The steepest terrace sits at the top of the church.
The Amusement Park
Once one of Barcelona’s lesser-known attractions, film director Woody Allen brought the Tibidabo Amusement Park to the public’s attention by featuring it in his film titled Vicky Cristina Barcelona. Aside from a brief allusion to it in an episode of Friends, mentions of Tibidabo rarely appear in US travel media.
While the juxtaposition between church and amusement park raises a few eyebrows, a couple of days of exposure to the whimsical architecture of Antonio Gaudi leaves visitors ready for the serendipitous and the spontaneous. Nothing seems odd after viewing the mosaic dragons of Park Guell. Such is Barcelona’s culture of the quirky.
Tibidabo History
Construction of the amusement park dates back to 1889. In June of 1900, work began on the creation of a tram, which transported visitors from the city of Barcelona to Tibidabo Mountain, and a funicular railway, which carried guests to the mountain’s summit, where a medley of colorful rides awaited their eager visitors. The tram, called the Blue Tram, still exists, and provides the most efficient means of getting to the mountain.
Getting There Is Half The Fun
The old-fashioned, electric Blue Tram, called Tramvia Blau, in Spanish, winds uphill through the streets of Barcelona, and carries its passengers to Mount Tibidabo. To get to the tram, take the L7 train, which leaves from Plaza de Catalunya in the center of town. The 10-minute ride brings you to Plaza de John Kennedy. When you get off the train, the tram stop, located at 2 Avienda Tibidabo, will be directly in front of you. A one-ride metro ticket costs 1.35 euros, and a 10-ride, called a T-10, costs 7.70 euros.
As the tram makes its tight, serpentine turns, it takes you past Barcelona’s most elegant architecture. When the tram drops you off, the ticket office for the funicular will be right in front of you, but before you ride, savor a coffee or an espresso, along with a Spanish pastry at one of the many cafes at this lower part of the mountain. Take in the view, then, board the funicular and enjoy the steep ride to the top. Tramvia Blau costs 3.10 euros round trip, and the funicular costs 3 euros round trip.
Quick Tip: If you’re short on time, and want to make the make the most of your stay in Barcelona, the city’s many “hop on/hop off” bus tours bring you to 2 Aviendo Tibidabo, where you catch the Tram Blau. You purchase a ticket, which usually costs about 25 euros. Listen to the recorded tour, and hop on or off when the description inspires you. Almost every major hotel desk in Barcelona sells tickets for these tours.
The Ambiance
Tibidabo Park has many rides and amusements, but take in the ambiance before trying any of them. The park’s tun-of-the-century atmosphere offers an unparalleled, Somewhere in Time experience, one which induces a strong desire for the candies apples, cotton candy and big colorful lollipops sold at the stands. Then, stroll past the antique carousel and ferris wheel, and enjoy.
Thrills and Chills
Tibidabo’s rides offer your local Six Flags Great Adventure no competition in terms of thrill factor, but there is something a bit scary about a roller coaster on top of a mountain. Other attractions have an interesting history.
- The Avion: Built in the Estrada workshops of Barcelona in1928, this plane ride circles the entire park. It is a replica of the first plane that ever flew the Barcelona/Brazil route.
- The Atalaya Lookout Tower: Built in 1921, this large metal structure carries rides to 551 meters above sea level. Rumors of its healing powers prevail. Apparently, children suffering form whooping cough are healed after spending a few minutes on top of the tower.
- The Wizards and Witches Den: Built in 1915, this aerial railway combines spectacular mountain views with spooky stage sets.
While Tibidabo might be just a bit out of the way, it’s definitely worth a visit. Don’t miss it on your next trip to Barcelona.
Photo credits: Both from wikimedia commons, Yifan Wang (carousel); Lalupa (Ferris wheel)
Lisa Marie Mercer specializes in self-reinvention. She spent most of her life as a New York City fitness instructor. A passion for although things Italian delivered her to Perugia Italy, where she studied Italian and traveled throughout the country. Fast forward to 2004, and an addiction to alpine skiing moved her to Colorado, where she opened a ski fitness studio, and worked as a tour guide for the town of Breckenridge. After hopping around North America and most parts of the globe, Lisa and her husband are enjoying the expat life in Uruguay. This is the author of Breckenridge: A Guide to the Sights and Slopes of Summit County. Learn more at her Fit to Travel Website. http://lisamariemercer.wordpress.com/
