| ody"> | | | | century ago. |
| Camp Nou, situated in the west of Barcelona, is | | | | Along with Real Madrid, Barcelona FC holds pride of |
| home to the second richest football club in the world. | | | | place in Spanish football history and Camp Nou |
| Built in 1957, it is the largest stadium in Europe and, | | | | houses one of the most visited museums in Catalonia |
| since being remodelled to celebrate its 50th | | | | which proudly displays 1500 pieces of the |
| anniversary, is now the third largest stadium in the | | | | club’s history — nearly a quarter of |
| world. It flies the universally recognisable club colours | | | | which are coveted trophies. |
| of blue and red and holds its five star status rating as | | | | The El Museu del Barca attracts 1.2 million visitors |
| the home ground of Barcelona Football Club. | | | | each year and guided tours of the stadium and |
| Not just a football stadium, Camp Nou has played | | | | museum operate daily, from 10 am to 6.30 pm |
| host to some of the biggest names in the music | | | | Monday to Saturday and 10 am to 2 pm on Sundays. |
| industry over the years, from Frank Sinatra to Pink | | | | As well as a souvenir shop, there are also mini |
| Floyd; Michael Jackson to Madonna; and the three | | | | pitches where Barcelona’s up and coming |
| tenors to Bruce Springsteen. In 1982 Pope John Paul | | | | football stars can try out their skills and assess their |
| II celebrated a mass in the stadium with a | | | | chances of becoming the next European football |
| congregation of over 121,000. It was also the Spanish | | | | legends. |
| venue for the Amnesty International concerts of | | | | Camp Nou is situated 13 kilometres from |
| 1988. | | | | Barcelona’s El Prat airport; about 5 kilometres |
| And if your are planning holidays in Barcelona, you | | | | from the city centre, so football-loving visitors have |
| cannot miss it! I also recommend you to book | | | | little difficulty in fitting a pilgrimage to this modern and |
| Barcelona Apartments in advance. | | | | highly successful shrine to European football into their |
| Modern visitors, however, are usually far more | | | | itineraries. |
| interested in its football credentials and visit Camp | | | | Admission is only Є11 and includes tours of the |
| Nou in their thousands to pay homage to its | | | | dressing room, press box and a memorable walk |
| successful home team, as well as remembering the | | | | through the tunnel towards the touchline. Sadly |
| famous match between Manchester United and | | | | visitors are not allowed onto the pitch, but fans can |
| Bayern Munich in the final of the Champions League in | | | | sit in the stands and while away the hours dreaming |
| 1999. The club is the only European site to have | | | | the impossible dream until it is etched into their |
| played UEFA matches since its inception over half a | | | | memories for all time. |