Rent your apartment for the Fortuny Exhibition

Until the 27th of June La Pedrera de Caixa Catalunya will be the home of an interesting art exhibition. The main artist where this exhibition is based on is Mariano Fortuny Madrazo (Granada 1871 - Venice 1949). Mariano was the son of Catalan painter Marià Fortuny i Marsal. Mariano was seen as a multitalented man who was called ´the little Leonardo´. Besides this ´title´ he was referred as ´the magician of Venice´. He got this title because art was not the only area he was working in, next to this he worked in engraving, stage design, lightning technology, photography, textile design and fashion.

After the death of his father Mariano and his family moved to Paris. Mariano studied painting by copying the great masters. One of his teachers was Rogelio de Egusquiza, which learned Mariano the Wagnerian ideas: due to this ideas Mariano got more and more interest in theater. Mariano Fortuny came up with his own staging system the "Fortuny System", made up of an indirect lighting device and a quarter-sphere dome, which covered the stage and acted like a large reflector. His idea was picked up by the German company AEG which installed this system in the main theaters in Germany and Italy.

In 1889 the Mariano family moved to Venice. In Venice Marino tried to become one with the city. He captured the city by paintings and by photographs. For Mariano Venice became on the one hand ´a symbol of beauty´ and on the other hand a foundation of suggestion which achieved his never-ending search into creativity.

The exhibition will be in Barcelona until the 27th. The exhibition is not only focused on painting but on every aspect of art he was working with.
We are offering apartments which have a twist of art as well. Our Art Deco and Art Nouveau apartments are decorated with pieces of art which where used during those times.

Sant Joan, book you apartment at FlatsByDays

Sant Joan is celebrated every year at the start of the summer season and the day with the longest period of daylight. It is always celebrated on the evening of June 23th and June 24th is a public holiday. Sant Joan takes place from sundown to sunrise on the eve of Sant Joan day which is also called ´Verbenas´.

The traditions of Sant Joan are split in 5 elements:
- Fire
- Water
- Herbs
- Fireworks
- Food

Fire: There will be bonfires all around Barcelona. People throw for instance old furniture into the fires, what is symbolizing ´out with the old in with the new´. Another tradition is that you write your wishes in the air.

Water: Wather is symbolizing cleanness; people can clean there sin in the water.

Herbs: Rosemary, Thyme and Verbena (the herb that gave name to the fiestas!) are collected and eaten on Sant Joan. The herb verbena was offered to the Gods in ancient times. The smell is very powerful.

Fireworks: People believe that they scare ghosts and witches away by the bangs of the fireworks.

Food: Food is not a special element of Sant Joan. During every festival or party Catalan people tend to eat a lot, while it is a part of the culture.

So do not wait and come to this ´feel good´ festival! Partying from sundown to sunrise and enjoying to old Catalan rituals : ) We can recommend you our Opera apartment which offers an oasis of tranquility!

Sonar Festival Internacional de Música Avanzada y Arte Multimedia

Just one month to go and one of Europe´s major electronic music festivals will take of. From the 17^th until the 19^th of June Barcelona will be taken on a journey by the beats of the Booka shade, Plastikman, Hot Chip and many more.

Sonar which is organized since 1994 is known as one of the major European festivals. Besides the festival, sonar is an important convention for people out of the music industry. During these dates the whole city will be transformed in to one big stage, while people all over the city are partying.

Tickets are still available and start by 39€. Sonar is offering as well passpartouts, which will give you the best sensation and entertainment.

Besides all these sensations is it important to have a rest and a good place to stay. This is where we come in. With apartments all over the historic city centre, we can offer you a comfortable stay during the festival dates. For instance our Portaferrisa apartment which is a 2 bedroom in the centre situated apartment.

See you at sonar?!