Travel the halal way and discover.... the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona!

The Sagrada Família, Antoni Gaudí's unfinished masterpiece, is one of Barcelona's most popular
tourist attractions. Construction on this church will continue for at least another decade, but it has already become Barcelona's most important landmark.

A New Church

The idea for the construction of a new church was launched by a devout organisation whose goal was to bring an end to the de-christianisation of the Barcelonese, which had started with the industrialization and was caused by the increasing level of education of the Catalan population. 

The organisation purchased a plot of land in the new Eixample district in 1877. The architect Francisco de Paula del Villar designed a neo-Gothic church and led the construction which started in 1882.

  

Antoni Gaudí's Design

 One year later, the modernist architect Antoni Gaudí took over as lead architect at the age of thirty-one. From that moment on, Gaudí devoted most of his life to the construction of the church.

Instead of sticking to the original plans, Gaudí changed the design drastically. The neo-Gothic style made way for Gaudí's trademark modernist style, which was based on forms found in nature. When he died in 1926 only one facade (the Nativity Facade), one tower, the apse and the crypt were finished.

Because Gaudí was constantly improvising and changing the design while construction was going on, he left few designs and models. And most of these were destroyed in 1936 during the Civil War. 

Eighteen Towers

Still, architects now have a clear idea of what Gaudí had in mind. The last version of his design called for a church 95m/312ft long and 60m/197ft wide. The church will be able to accommodate some thirteen thousand people. When finished, the Sagrada Família will have a total of eighteen towers.

Four towers on each of the three facades represent the twelve apostles. The towers reach a height of 90 to 120 meters (394ft). Another four towers represent the four evangelists. They will surround the largest, 170m/558ft tall tower, dedicated to Jesus Christ. The last tower, dedicated to Virgin Mary, will be built over the apse.

Construction

After Gaudí's death in 1926 construction slowed dramatically due to a lack of funds and the outbreak of the Civil War.

Construction pace started to pick up again in the mid 1950s and now two facades and eight towers have been completed. The main nave was roofed in 2000. At that time construction was expected to last for another hundred years, but modern technology has enabled architects to speed up construction so that the Sagrada Família is now slated for completion in 2026, the centenary of Gaudí's death. 

Facades

The first facade, facing east, is known as the Nativity Facade. It was finished by Gaudí himself and is
ornamented in a Baroque fashion with motifs of animals and plants.

Nativity Facade

Opposite the Nativity Facade is the Passion Facade. Construction started in 1954, but only in 1987 sculptures depicting the crucified Jesus Christ were added. As soon as they were installed, the abstract figures caused a storm of criticism, as the style was very different from Gaudí's.

The third and main facade is the Glory Facade. Construction of this facade - the most monumental of the three - started in 2002 and is still ongoing. This facade, on the south side of the church, will picture life and death. 

Visiting Sagrada Família

Interior Sagrada Familia

Even though the Sagrada Família is far from finished, the remarkable church is well worth a visit. You can visit the crypt were Gaudí is buried as well as the transept and central nave with its giant, tree-like pillars and spectacular vaulting. A museum narrates the history of the church and tells the story of its great architect.

You can also visit the towers. An elevator and a long walk will lead you to the top of a tower from where you have a magnificent view over Barcelona. The climb is not recommended for those with fear of heights or for people with claustrophobia!

Send us a request trip and add this excusion in Barcelona to your travel 

 

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Travel the halal way and discover.... Casa Batlló in Barcelona!

The colour and fantasy of the Casa Batlló captivates passers-by on the Passeig de Gràcia (Barcelona). Standing halfway up this elegant boulevard and in a strongly contrasting style to the neighbouring houses, the Casa Amatller and Casa Lleó Morera, Gaudí’s building reveals the splendour of an architect who was able to work on this project with total creative freedom, Antoni Gaudí.

The architect Antoni Gaudí undertook a radical refurbishment of a building in Barcelona’s Passeig de Gràcia dating from 1875 to create one of his boldest works. 

Gaudí’s imaginative efforts were key to the development of the project, as was the decorative work of the artisans who collaborated with him between 1904 and 1906. A simple glance gives rise to myriad interpretations.


The discs of multicoloured glazed-ceramics and broken shards of stained glass, placed with precision, depict flowers and water lilies and play with the reflections of the sunlight. This vast impressionist painting is often interpreted as the surface of the rolling sea in the heart of Passeig de Gràcia.

On the first floor of the Casa Batlló, a long sandstone balcony allows us to look inside the elegant mezzanine, while the other floors have balconies in the shape of masks. And at the top, a scaly ceramic skin and turret crowned by a four-armed cross remind us of the legend of Saint George. Inside the Casa Batlló, you can visit the mezzanine, see the ceramic skylight, the double attic space with its sequence of catenary arches, and the rooftop with its colourful mosaiced chimneys. An explosion of creative freedom where Gaudí spared no effort in creating a functional and modern house.
  
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Travel the halal way and discover.... Park Güell in Barcelona!

Park Güell was an attempt to create a housing estate in a natural setting in the old village of Gràcia: an ambitious property development project commissioned by Gaudí’s patron, Eusebi Güell. 

The architect chose an uneven site covering a surface area of 15 hectares where 40 detached houses were to be built. Only two were actually completed, and Gaudí lived in one of them.


It is now a museum devoted to the architect’s life and work. Gaudí prepared the site of Park Güell between 1900 and 1914, showcasing his urban-planning concerns by building paths, arcades and viaducts that were fully integrated into Barcelona’s natural surroundings.

Gaudí’s characteristic vivid imagination is revealed in the different elements that amaze visitors from around the world that visit 
Barcelona. The gatehouses, which were originally designed as the caretaker’s house, are now home to the Park Güell Interpretation Centre. 

The flight of steps, with its famous dragon covered in coloured broken-ceramic pieces, leads to the hypostyle hall, an impressive space comprising 86 columns which underpins the plaza above. The curving bench around the perimeter of the plaza was designed by Jujol, one of Gaudí’s associates in the construction of this unique park in the old village of Gràcia which has been declared a World Heritage Site

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Video: Discover the Spanish Muslim Comunity in Andalusia

 

Video: Discover the Spanish Muslim Comunity in Andalusia

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What is Halal Tourism?

The term ” halal tourism ,” which refers to the tourism offerings for practicing Muslims, represents a turnover of € 103 billion worldwide. This is a market that Spain wants to take a bigger share, thanks in particular, to its rich Islamic cultural heritage in Andalusia. Hence the organisation of the first conference on the subject in Granada on 22 and 23 September 2014 , where Alhamratour was present, under the auspices of the Halal Institute Cordoba was held.

SPAIN . The Alhambra in Granada, the Cordoba Mosque , the Giralda in Seville … the list of great monuments of Islamic cultural legacy in Spain is long.  The cultural wealth is mainly concentrated mainly in Andalusia, home to the recent ” halal tourism” International Conference held in Grenada by the London firm Creative Minds Media.

The Halal Institute of Cordoba advocates the development of one of the most promising tourist segments in the city. There are, obviously, quite a few reasons for this. First, because Spain, and, particularly, Andalusia, is a popular destination for Muslim tourists because of its 800-strong history. Second, it is the economic activity related to this type of tourism that justifies the development of a ‘ Halal tourism offering “, ie : a tour offering for practicing Muslims, particularly from clients in the Middle East . These tourists spend twice as much as the average in Spain , according to figures from Turespaña. Tourists from Saudi Arabia, for example, spend a budget of € 2,287 per person on their holiday, against 2,116 for those in the UAE , or € 1,703 for the Egyptian tourist. Compared with the average amount of € 956 per person spending for all holidaymakers in Spain, the amount spent by the Muslim tourists from the oil-rich Gulf states is much larger which can not be ignored.

Alhamratour in the Halal Conference 2014 in Granada (HTC2014)

The ” The Muslim Travel Index 2014″ study, presented in Granada during this international conference halal tourism, reveals another significant figure : aggregate expenditures on Muslim tourists represent a business volume of 103 bn € in the world . A big market where Spain wants to take more space . If the country is the world’s third -largest number of international tourists, it ranks only sixth place ranking Muslim tourists ( including behind France , Italy and Great Britain). Hence the importance for the Spanish tourism industry forward in welcoming Muslim tourists practitioners , representing about 10% of travelers in Andalusia, and an annual turnover estimated at € 387 million. In this sense, the Halal Institute of Cordoba has an important role as a body of recognized certification. Although the number of ” halal ” facilities so far remains very limited in the tourism sector in Spain , with only two restaurants and a hotel in Andalusia.

Muslim tourists visitting and praying in the Granada's Mosque

However, the changes proposed by the Institute of Cordoba formations stir more curiosity hoteliers. Fittingly , the study presented in Granada also shows that tourists from the Middle East are those who spend the most in terms of accommodation in Spain, namely € 129 on average per person per night , in front of the Chinese and Russian ( respectively € 115 and € 91 ) . “This is to recognize that the efforts against Muslim tourists can go beyond food ,” says Muhammad Escudero, director of Halal Certification Institute Cordoba : ” It is often the small details to make considered very important for these customers, as signaling the direction of Mecca , the layout of prayer space , information in Arabic, or absence of alcohol and pork … “

"A guarantee of quality"

Since this summer , Alanda Hotel Marbella is the first certified “halal” Spain hotel. A four star hotel bought by Saudi group Al Fawaz Hokair a year ago, and that has made this certification a marketing argument , as evidenced by the sales manager , Ignacio Gimenez . ” We do not serve alcohol or pork , which attracted obviously Muslims around the world committed to their religion ; but beyond this halal deposit also appeals to a broad customer base that holds the beneficial aspect of the process, especially since the certification involves traceability and therefore guarantees quality.

The absence of alcohol is not a drawback . Sometimes it is an asset for a family , Muslim or not customers looking for a relaxing holiday while enjoying the service and installation of a four-star hotel , the spa or the beach restaurant . In short, the ‘halal’ certification is a further guarantee of attention here that shows this month (September) of 86% occupancy rate. Evidence that the commitment does not interfere with the activity.

"We announce our halal recess policy when making reservations , and we have never been abandoned or even the slightest criticism ; customers may be surprised , but it’s always positive ,"said Ignacio Gimenez . 

These reactions now allow the company to consider an international hotel development with the same positioning ” halal ” .

Article by: halaltimes.com via www.econostrum.info

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Travel the Halal way and Discover the moorish Gibraltar

The Rock of Gibraltar

Gibraltar is an intriguing destination for the curious traveler. The British territory is only 6.8 square

kilometers, making it easy to explore on foot, and its location at the entrance of the Mediterranean south of Spain makes it a good jumping-off point for further travels. The landscape is dotted with caves and tunnels, Gibraltar has a rich, swashbuckling history and its underlying Britishness makes it a perfect destination for pub- and tea-lovers who also crave the sunshine.

Gibraltar's Islamic history began with the arrival of Tariq ibn-Ziyad on 27 April 711 at the start of the Umayyad conquest of Hispania. The name of the city comes from the arabic Jabal-ı Tārıq (جبل طارق, "Mountain of Tariq" which name was later corrupted into "Gibraltar" by the Spanish.

The history of Moorish Gibraltar began with the landing of the Muslims in Hispania and the fall of the Visigothic Kingdom of Toledo in 711 and ended with the fall of Gibraltar to Christian hands 751 years later, in 1462, with an interregnum during the early 14th century.

The Madinat al-Fath (City of Victory) was intended to be a major city furnished with palaces and mosques, but it seems to have fallen well short of the ambitions of its founder, the Almohad caliph Abd al-Mu'min, by the time it was captured by the Kingdom of Castile in 1309 after a short siege. Muslim control was restored in 1333 after another, much longer, siege. The city subsequently underwent a major expansion and refortification. A number of buildings and structures from this period still exist, including the Moorish Castle, parts of the Moorish walls, a bath-house and a subterranean reservoir.

Monkey in Gibraltar

Naturally, the main sight in Gibraltar is The Rock. The upper Rock's nature reserve offers spectacular views of the town and sea below. The reserve is also home to the only free-living primates on the entire continent. Over 240 Barbary Macaques thrive around the Apes' Den, an area close to the center cable-car station. According to local legend, the British will disappear from Gibraltar when the tailless apes do.

The British side of Gibraltar is most evident on Main Street. The pedestrianized drag is lined with cozy pubs, charming tea shops and busy restaurants. Although it looks like it could be a street in London, a distinctly Spanish lilt is still in the air, reminding visitors that they are indeed in Mediterranean Europe.

Ibrahim Al Ibrahim Mosque, Gibraltar

Not far from Main Street is the Ibrahim Al Ibrahim Mosque, a symbol of the religious and racial symbiosis of the territory's past. Opened in 1997, the mosque was built by King Fahd of Saudi Arabia to feed the religious needs of Moroccans working on the Rock, and it is the largest mosque in the non-Islamic world.

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Marbella confirma su liderazgo en el sector del Turismo Halal en España

‘Halal’ es un término que aparece mencionado en el Corán y que significa ‘permitido, saludable y

El Instituto Halal es la entidad que gestiona la Marca de Garantía Halal creada por la Junta Islámica de España, con sede en Córdoba, aplicada a alimentos, productos y servicios que desde empresas y entidades se ofertan a públicos de práctica islámica, tanto en nuestro país y en el ámbito de la UE, como para la exportación a países islámicos.
beneficioso’, referido tanto a alimentación como a conductas.

Cuando un turista musulmán elige destino vacacional lo hace, en la gran mayoría de las veces, pensando en un lugar en el que tenga acceso a establecimientos que ofrezcan servicios acordes a su forma de vida y conforme a la ley islámica. El turismo ‘halal’, todavía por explotar en España es, hoy por hoy, uno de los retos para los empresarios hoteleros y hosteleros del país. Así se ha puesto de manifiesto en el primer Congreso Internacional de Turismo ‘Halal’, un foro pionero en Europa, celebrado hace solo unos días en Granada. Marbella, como tantas otras veces en su historia, se sitúa ya en cabeza de carrera y estuvo representada en este encuentro a través de Alanda Hotel, el primero del país en obtener la certificación oficial.

Desde su compra, hace un año, por parte de la corporación empresarial saudí Fawaz Al Hokair, el Alanda Hotel Marbella –antiguo NH Alanda– ubicado en plena Milla de Oro, y a apenas 60 metros de la Mezquita del Rey Fahd, ha venido trabajando en la consecución de un certificado que cumple uno de los objetivos marcados por la propiedad: convertir el establecimiento en un referente para el turista musulmán. Desde que abrió sus puertas, el hotel mantiene varias normas: no ofrece bebidas alcohólicas en ninguno de sus restaurantes, ni tampoco cerdo y derivados.

Ello, como sostiene el director del Alanda, Fernando Portal, no ha disuadido a un buen número de clientes nacionales o británicos, que siguen siendo mayoritarios.

Desde hace unos días, en la puerta de entrada luce la placa que acredita al hotel ante el turista musulmán. El trabajo para conseguir el certificado ha sido intenso, basado en varias auditorías que han analizado no solo el servicio de restaurante y economato, sino el resto de departamentos «uno a uno». «Hemos tenido que aportar una ficha técnica, emitida por nuestros proveedores, de cada uno de los productos que tenemos en el economato», señala Portal «No cabe duda de que estamos hablando de un concepto nuevo que viene a ampliar la oferta hotelera de la Costa del Sol», resume.

Espacios para el rezo

Habilitar más espacios en los que poder rezar, tener habitaciones orientadas a la Meca o señalizas, preservar un horario distinto de piscina para las mujeres y los hombres son algunos de los puntos en los que deben trabajar los hoteles que optan a la certificación del Instituto Halal de España. De momento, en el establecimiento marbellí no se planten hacer esta última distinción de horarios para el baño. Sí se ha señalizado la Meca en las habitaciones y se ha confeccionado un ‘kit’ que se entrega a los clientes y que contiene alfombrilla para el rezo. Igualmente se restringe la programación televisiva, en la que no se ofrecen programas o películas de contenido violento, erótico o pornográfico.

Del mismo modo, los restaurantes disponen de menús que se adaptan a la estricta dieta musulmana. La filosofía ‘Health’ (sano) se ha convertido en seña de identidad de un establecimiento que ha hecho de sus zumos naturales –tan perseguidos por las ‘celebrities’– en uno de sus principales reclamos durante el verano que acaba de finalizar.

Según las cifras que maneja el Instituto Halal, el turismo islámico deja en Andalucía más de 300 millones de euros año. La búsqueda de nuevos mercados para hacer que el sector turístico de la Comunidad siga creciendo llevará a nuevos hoteles a seguir la senda de Marbella.

Fuente: www.diariosur.es

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