LIn the Shadow of the Wind is a mystery novel written by Carlos Ruiz Zafón in 2002 that takes place in Barcelona at the beginning of the twentieth century. Following in the footsteps of Daniel Sempere, the protagonist of the novel, we arrive at the Aldaya Palace, the starting point of this route.
We will pass through the Avenida del Tibidabo, where the young protagonist’s girlfriend lived, and we could reach the Sant Gabriel school (Colegio San Ignacio) on Passeig de la Bonanova.
However, on this same avenue of more than a km and a half long begins our route of mansions on both sides, and the gardens where the families with economic power of the city could settle, far from thecenter “El Eixample”.
An avenue Where you can even breathing the fresh air of the Collserola mountain and that reminds us of some reminiscence of the avenues Parisians.
We’ll discover the history there behind of these Cases Stately, since the Palau Aldaya, thread driver of this route that inspired the writer from the novel The Shadow of the Wind, as well as those of the Best architects of the modernist period, such as Josep Puig i Cadafalch, Joan Rubió y Bellvé, Enric Sagnier and Adolf Ruiz Casamitjana who built Residences and mansionsWhat Competed in gaudiness and in style: Modernist, Neo-Gothic, Medievalists, Noucentistas… Casa Casacuberta, The House Roviralta “Frare Blanch”, the Casa Fornells, the chalet Ignacio Portabella, (Casa Bernat i Creus), until you get to the Rotunda, a ancient hotel look modernist passing by the gardens of the Tamarite, a green oasis romantic open to the public.
Next, we will walk along the Paseo Bonanova arriving at the Mulay Hafid tower, designed by Puig i Cadafalch, to end at the Colegio San Ignacio (Colegio San Gabriel) where we will finish the route in the Plaza Sarriá and there we will sit down to rest and return to the Hotel.
Optional: Casa Evarist Arnús, el Pinar, a neo-Gothic mansion that looks like a fairytale castle that lights up at night. Breathing in the pure air of this landscape of the Tibidabo mountain in the Collserola Park.
The city of Barcelona is the main setting for the novel written by Carlos Ruiz Zafón in 2002, The Shadow of the Wind. Following the novel, we could divide the city into two main settings in the novel, the high Barcelona, the one with the large mansions on Avenida Tibidabo, and the Barcelona of the old town, which we will focus on in this route, to experience The Shadow of the Wind from the inside.
We’ll follow in Daniel Sempere’s footsteps through the most important points in the centre of Barcelona related to the novel. We’ll start by strolling along the Rambla de Santa Monica, where we’ll take a detour to look for Calle del Arco del Teatro, where we’ll find the famous Sempere e Hijos Bookshop. Next, we’ll walk until we reach the Plaza Real in Barcelona, strolling through this neighborhood with so much history. We will take Calle del Call, continuing along the Bajada de la Llibretería and Calle Argentería until we reach the majestic Basilica of Santa María del Mar. Then we will go up Calle Montcada to stop at El Xampanyet and all the while, with a stop included at the Palau de la Música, we will arrive at the restaurant Els Quatre Gats, known for its appearance in the novel. After the visit to the restaurant, we’ll head to Calle Santa Anna and turn onto Calle Canuda to visit the Ateneo Barcelonés and continue walking until we reach Plaza Nova. The tour will end in the small and striking Plaça de Sant Felip Neri.
Transportation from the pick-up and drop-off point
Aperitif or Lunch.
Price: On request
Duration: Minimum 3 hours.
It can be done with electric bikes in 1 hour and a half of guided tour
Our routes and experiences are all environmentally friendly, with a zero carbon footprint. For the complete experience, we offer electric vehicle rides.
This offer is exclusive and upon request to BarcelonArt of Travel ©.
It reserves the right to suspend or modify the activity when weather and safety conditions require it. In case of inclement weather we will propose the change of the activity in its entirety to another date, to be agreed, 5 days in advance.
Once you have made your reservation, you will receive a document with weather information to prevent any type of weather incident.
Prices for larger groups on request.
