Tibidabo

. Rising sharply to the north-west, it affords spectacular views over the city and the surrounding coastline. [ [http://www.panoramas.dk/fullscreen/fullscreen33.html Panoramic QTVR view from Tibidabo] ]

There is an amusement park, a telecommunications tower (Torre de Collserola), and a Catholic church, the "Temple de Sagrat Cor", at the top, all of which are visible from most of the city. Designed by Enric Sagnier, the church took 60 years to construct and is topped by a sculpture of the Sacred Heart by Josep Miret Llopart. The Amusement park is the oldest in Barcelona and retains most of the original rides, some of which date to the turn of the 20th century.

Tibidabo can be reached by a funicular railway, by bus, and by car. The railway, built in 1901, was the first of its kind in Spain.

Origin of name

The name derives from the Latin Vulgate Bible verses:

* "…et dixit illi haec tibi omnia dabo si cadens adoraveris me" [ [http://www.drbo.org/lvb/chapter/47004.htm Latin Vulgate Bible, Gospel According to Saint Matthew Chapter 4 ] ] — "And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me" (Matthew 4:9);

* "…et ait ei tibi dabo potestatem hanc universam et gloriam illorum quia mihi tradita sunt et cui volo do illa" [ [http://www.drbo.org/lvb/chapter/49004.htm Latin Vulgate Bible, Gospel According to Saint Luke Chapter 4 ] ] — "All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it" (Luke 4:6).

This phrase, meaning "I will give to you", was said to Jesus by the devil as they looked down from an "exceeding high mountain" upon "all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them". The name of Barcelona's hill thus refers to the popular tradition that it was in fact the "exceedingly high mountain" itself.

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