Our groovy Gaudí day in Barcelona...
Antoni Gaudí i Cornet (25 June 1852–10 June 1926) was a Spanish Catalan architect and the figurehead of Catalan Modernism. Gaudí's works, which reflect his highly individual and distinctive style, are largely concentrated in Barcelona and today we went to learn more about him.
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| Our first stop was Casa Batlló. From the outside the façade of Casa Batlló looks like it has been made from skulls and bones. The "Skulls" are in fact balconies and the "bones" are supporting pillars. Gaudí used colors and shapes found in marine life as inspiration for his creativity in this building with the colors chosen for the façade being those found in natural coral. We were impressed from the beginning. We had no idea of this man's talent. |
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La Pedrera (Casa Mila) is a masterpiece of architecture by Gaudi. Its wavy brick work look like cliff walls and are made from limestone. The building undulates with curves and concave with dark iron balconies. The roof is spectacular and its chimneys have been dubbed the "witch scarers" (we found them to be rather phallic as the photo of the chimney Salt & Pepper Shakers, available in the gift shop for 32€, show). |
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| This monumental church, la Sagrada Família, it is Gaudí's most exemplary work and the most famous. It is as symbolic of Barcelona as the Eiffel tower is to Paris. Gaudí started work on it in 1883 after replacing another architect and dedicated his life to it to the point of actually taking up residence on-site. He was obsessed with this project, planning three exquisitely ornate façades devoted to the Nativity, Passion and Glory. Each was to be crowned by four towers. When asked why he fussed so much about the tower tops Gaudí replied, "the angels will see them". Sadly he never lived to finish it. On June 7 1926 Gaudí was hit by a car. He died three days later at the age of 74. As you can see, the church is still being constructed. |
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| The park was originally part of a commercially unsuccessful housing site, the idea of Count Eusebi Güell, whom the park was named after. It was inspired by the English garden city movement; hence the original English name Park. The City bought the property in 1922 and converted it to a municipal park. It was Gaudí who had the responsibility of designing the park and he chose to develop it as a network of twisty roads following the contours of the rocky hill on which it was to be developed. The entire park gives of an ambiance of Disneyesque proportions with its mosaics, bird nests in the terrace walls, roadways that resemble pine trees and colonnades. We found it absolutely whimsical and the perfect way to spend the day. |
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| If ever there was a city that could put a smile on a traveler's face, Barcelona has to be it. Anyone that has seen its magnificent beach, open parklands, amazing sculptures on street corners and spectacular Gaudí architecture would be hard pushed to imagine the city as it once was before the 1992 Olympics - a wasteland with high rises and derelict blocks. You don't need to spend your time at museums in Barcelona, because the city itself, beautifully designed, very colorful and even eccentric, is the main attraction. We are delighted we get to spend a few days here to explore it all. |
2 comments:
I agree. Barcelona is amazing.
Funny thing about Casa Mila, I didn't know you could go on the roof and apparently that is the coolest part! (This was only my third trip out of the country solo. I was naive...)
I like the fact that the entrance fee of the Sagrada familia goes towards the construction. You don't feel like you are getting ripped off.
Your pictures bring back some good memories. I am happy you are having such a great time!
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WOW! What a beautiful city! I think we need to do some traveling now! After seeing all these sights through your eyes! The weather seems a little warmer too!
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