A weekend of architectural celebration will take place in Barcelona on the 22nd and 23rd October, as the second annual 48H Open House BCN is held. The public will be welcomed into 160 buildings with the aim of opening eyes, minds and doors; by giving an inside glimpse of the Catalonian capital’s outstanding architecture, the organisers hope to allow people to view the city from the inside out rather than outside in, and in doing so experience Barcelona’s past, present and future like never before.
The event has been held in many cities around the globe, including London, New York, Dublin and Tel Aviv, but Barcelona promises to be particularly intriguing. Long used as a blank canvas for architects, experimentation and creation is a fundamental part of the city’s identity, and by opening up some of the finest examples, locals and visitors alike will have a unique opportunity to rediscover and reconnect with the city. Hotels, universities, libraries, museums, markets and private residences will be participating; many are not normally open to the public and all entrances will be free of charge. Other events will also be held, including the chance to meet architects, city planners and people who live or work in the buildings.
With 160 buildings to choose from, there really is something for everyone, including the modern and innovative Hotel Porta Fira and the striking Torre Collserola, a 
communications tower with a panoramic observation deck from which to admire cityscape vistas. For those interested in history, the Refugi Antiaeri de la Plaça del Diamant, a maze of underground air raid shelters carved out during the Civil War, is unmissable. Some of the city’s most emblematic buildings will also be on show, such as the Temple de Sagrat Cor de Jesús, perched atop Mount Tibidabo, and the Arc de Triomf. And, of course, works by Catalonia‘s most celebrated architect, Antoni Gaudí, will be open to the public, including the Col·legi de les Teresianes and the Pavellons Güell.
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Georgia
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The buildings created by Antoni Gaudí are incredible… I really loved.