So we’re walking down the street in Barcelona when Jamie says, “Hey, that looks just like the Arc de Triomphe.” I’ve never been to Paris, but I’ve seen plenty of photos of the famous Paris monument.
I had to look it up on Wikipedia, my source for all official and absolutely accurate information.
In Paris, “The Arc de Triomphe honours those who fought and died for France in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, with the names of all French victories and generals inscribed on its inner and outer surfaces. Beneath its vault lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War I.”
In Barcelona, “The Arc de Triomf … was built by architect Josep Vilaseca i Casanovas as the main access gate for the 1888 Barcelona World Fair.”
In other words, the French built theirs to honor the dead. The Spanish built theirs to make a few bucks.
Both noble ideals.
The fact that you’ve never seen the Arc de Triumph in Paris is still a mystery to me but Barcelona is an amazing city and a great start for you 180 day adventure. We flew over you yesterday on our way home from Rome. The Italians would kill for a few drops of the rain that scattered the the locals, you mentioned. Be safe and enjoy the ride!!!
Did you know, it was the Roman Empire who originated the concept of Triumphal Arches, building them wherever they conquered? Waaay back in the B.C.’s!
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Roman_triumphal_arches
Hey, don’t go gettin’ all intellectual on us.