The Glòries tower is, without a doubt, one of the most emblematic buildings in Barcelona. However, the possibility of entering it had not been contemplated until now. As of Friday, the Catalan capital will have a new 360-degree viewpoint on top of this building.
Located on the 30th floor of the iconic Jean Nouvel building, originally created as the corporate headquarters of the Agbar company, the viewpoint is a multidisciplinary space that unites art, science and technology, as well as offering panoramic views of the city. Its promoters have wanted to reinterpret the concept of the traditional viewpoint. "We must abandon the passive gaze for one that is aware of the challenges that the city must face", explained Aleix Pratdepàdua, director of the Torre Glòries viewpoint.
From the core of the urban plan conceived by Idelfons Cerdà, the Glòries tower opens to the public for the first time through its viewpoint. The space offers a unique experience to rediscover Barcelona through a new look. David Xirau, general director of Mediapro Exhibitions, the company responsible for the project, explained that it is time to “look at the future of the city, even beyond what the eye can see; For four years we have been developing a viewpoint that is committed to the city, innovation and change”, added Javier Zarrabeitia, from Merlin Properties, owner of the Glòries tower.
Visitors take part in a journey that starts in the underground floor. The Hyperviewpoint is a space in which to discover that Barcelona that is not usually paid attention to. Through the use of big data, sensors and instruments collect data from the city in real time. On this other side of the viewpoint, you can find five different spaces that combine art, music, technology and video to see Barcelona like never before.
In addition, some of the pieces are unique and unrepeatable, since they are generated automatically from the data collected by the system. Even Sirena, the music that accompanies the exhibition, created by Barcelonans Maria Arnal and John Talabot, is alive and responds to the changes in the city. This work, like the rest, serves to reflect the constant transformation and change to which cities are subjected.
At a time when cities are also struggling to be greener and more sustainable, the new equipment invites visitors to become aware that they do not live alone. The city encompasses a large number of animal and plant species. Barcelonins offers a sample of 132 species that can be found in the city made with folded paper by the artist Joan Sallas.
On the same floor, a live chronicle of what is happening in all corners of the city is offered, from the traffic, the trains in circulation or the planes that pass over it at that precise moment. Through Ritmes you can get to see everything invisible to the human eye, such as molecules suspended in the air or the electromagnetic waves of our mobiles.
After this visit, visitors will be able to climb 30 floors and 125 meters high in just under 30 seconds. There is a viewpoint that offers a 360º perspective of the city. From it you can see all the corners of Barcelona, from the Sagrada Família to 22@, Diagonal or Barceloneta beach.
The dome of the tower is also dominated by a walkable art installation by the Argentine artist Tomás Saraceno. Under the name of Cloud Cities Barcelona, it invites citizens to dialogue and reflect on the city. The work occupies an area of 130 m2 and is suspended thanks to 6 kilometers of taut cables. Visitors will be able to move through the heights while enjoying the incredible views of the city.
Tickets to access this watchtower are already on sale. Prices range between 15 euros for general admission, and 25 if you want to tour the Saraceno art installation. The visit lasts approximately one hour and includes an audio guide service in six languages (Catalan, Spanish, English, French, Italian and German). In addition, there will be exclusive visits in which you can enjoy the sunset, enter the artistic exhibition or learn a more technical perspective of the city from the hand of an architect.
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