This is our "Gaudi Day" excursion. Everywhere has their "weird artists." It's incredible to me that Barcelona not only accepted their weird artists, but have supported and encouraged them in ways I've never imagined. Barcelona took these crazy, wild ideas from their creative people for some very large and expensive projects. Taking that risk is what makes Barcelona the world-class city it is today.
The "Block of Discord (Illa de la Discòrdia)." A name given to the buildings because they all seem to compete for your attention. All constructed by famous Moderista (Art Nouveau) architects.
Detail of Casa Amatller's Neo-Catalan Gothic facade.
A model of Casa Batlló before and after Antoni Gaudi remodeled the structure. So, you can kind of get a sense of the building. But, I suggest looking up photos online. It's worth it if you're not familiar with the house.
From 1883 until Antoni Gaudi was killed by a streetcar in 1926, he worked on the construction of this church. Work continues today and they are optimistic that it will be completed by 2026 for the 100th anniversary of Gaudi's death.
The Passion Facade realized by Josep Maria Subirachs in 2005.
The exterior of the building is designed to tell the story of Jesus Christ. This side of the building is recounting the torture and execution of Jesus.
Just look at the expression of agony in that face.
The unfinished Glory Facade will tell the story of dying, the Last Judgement, hell, and finding heaven through God. This may take a while to complete though. In the 1950s, the Mayor of Barcelona sold the land across the street to developers of some very ugly apartments. Obviously, he didn't think the church would ever be completed. Now, Barcelona is trying to buy the land back to tear the buildings down so they can complete the project as planned.
The central spire is under construction and planned to stant 560 feet high. So, about twice as high as the towers you see already completed
The Nativity Facade, which was the only part of the church completed during Gaudi's life.
Every inch and detail of the church has a meaning. The Nativity Facade tells the story of the birth of Christ and the Holy Family (the Sagrada Familia), whom the church is honoring.
Jesus lovingly looked over by Joseph, Mary and a countless number of angels, animals, flora, and other beings.
Probably one of the most emotional and horrific statues I've ever seen. Herod the Great hears about Jesus' birth and orders all children under the age of 2 to be killed believing the "King of the Jews" would take his crown. This is a mother pleading and failing with a Roman soldier not to kill her infant.
It's an incredible feat to conduct this much construction with the over 3,000,000 visitors per year. That's over 8,200 per day if there were open 365 days per year.
The interior is no less impressive. The mathematics and engineering involved to keep this building from collapsing must be very intense.
Just a few of the 56 column ranging from 36-to-72 feet tall resembling a forest of trees.
The colored stained glass splashes light throughout the light colored interior.
The church is about 48,000 square feet and can accommodate around 8,000 people. Not sure if that includes the 1,000 members that can fit into the choir.
The Spanish sun blasting through the stained glass.
A view into a very traditional crypt where Gaudi is buried. The church's original architect was Francisco de Paula del Villar. And his design was still massive, but much more conservative. After a dispute, he resigned and Gaudi asked for the job and advocated for the structure we are seeing rise today.
Megan on Avinguda de Gaudí.
Looking the other way on Avinguda de Gaudí
A new Hospital of the Holy Cross and Saint Paul - (Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau) building has been constructed on the back of the site. While this has not been an operating medical center since 2009, it is still in use. Currently, it's a museum and cultural center and recognized as an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Casa Martí Trias i Domènech. Park Güell was originally envisioned as an upscale housing development. A neighborhood of high-quality homes, new technology, accessible amenities, with an artistic flair. Unfortunately, for Eusebi Güell, it was a rocky hill far outside of Barcelona with terrible access to roads. So, only two homes were ever built. Güell 's heirs sold the property to Barcelona in 1918 for use as a flower nursery, school, and public park.
Colonnaded pathway
Looking toward Barcelona
View of Barcelona Harbor from top of Park Güell
View of Sagrada Familia fromPark Güell
Park Güell is a small public park that attracts tourists from around the world. Unfortunately, that can cause a lot of problems with overcrowding, structural damage, and other related issues. To protect this historic and cultural asset, the "Monumental Zone" with all the main structures requires a fee to enter and is limited to 800 people at a time.
Wandered around the area waiting for our timed entrance into the park. While just outside the park, this was a tower of what appears to be the world's fanciest shed.
Entrance of the Monumental Zone of Park Güell
Guard House (Casa del Guarda)
El Drac (The Dragon) is a crowd pleasing mosaic sculpture on the main stairway. It's also a reason why this park now has strict restrictions. It was vandalized in 2007 and had to be restored.
Sala Hipòstila (pillared hall) was intended to be a market to serve the 60 houses of the development. But, it was never completed. These 86 columns support a public square.
One of several mosaic medallions in Sala Hipòstila
Deep inside Sala Hipòstila looking back toward the city.
Close up of the broken glass and tile Gaudí used to create the park
The public square above the Sala Hipòstila having some minor maintenance done. The ground is usually unpaved dirt though. This is so when it rains (like it will be soon) the water can be collected and distributed to plants throughout the park. And where I'm standing was the planned location for the "Greek Theatre" to entertain the residents of the failed housing community.
Form and function. This pathway not only looks interesting. But on the right side it acts as a retaining wall. And the columns and part above are holding up a road.
The Portico of the Washerwoman is curious. Like Sagrada Familia, every square inch of the park is packed with symbolism and meaning. It would take a lifetime to find and decode every detail.
Tree on top of the terraced wall.
Casa Milà, nicknamed La Pedrera (The Stone Quarry) (
http://www.lapedrera.com/en) is another Antoni Gaudí creation commissioned by Pere Milà i Camps. Construction took place from 1906 to 1912.
Detail of Casa Milà-La Pedrera's balcony railing
Interior courtyard of Casa Milà-La Pedrera. These areas help the apartments stay cool in the summer. And provide light to the interior.
This is the landlord's stairwell. This gave him a private entrance to avoid the tenants. But, I assume they could always see him coming home...
Attic of Casa Milà-La Pedrera. These odd shaped arches did many things. 1) It gave the building its unique shape, 2) provided ventilation to keep building cool in summer and warm in the winter, 3) space for tenants to store items and perform other tasks.
An apartment of a middle-class tenant
Megan checking out this very well organized children's room
Gaudi's vision of nature playing out on his Modernista (Art Nouveau) ceiling
The roof of Casa Milà-La Pedrera where 30 chimneys guide you for a view of the sky and the surrounding city of Barcelona.
Megan overlooking the atrium courtyard.
The private space behind the homes of the Eixample.
View of the Passeig de Gràcia
Megan looking down the Passeig de Gràcia
Overlooking the Carrer de Provença
Arch purposefully framing Gaudi's other masterpiece, Sagrada Familia
And, with that, we spent our last bit of time celebrating Barcelona with Antoni Gaudi.
Barcelona - El Prat Airport (
https://www.barcelona-airport.com/). It amazes me how Europe has been preparing their infrastructure for the 21st century. I've been fortunate to visit Portugal, Belgium, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, and Germany in recent years and it seems like they are embracing (with a few grumbles) the future.
Goodbye Barcelona!
It was an incredible experience. I've been to very few places that are this exciting. There's activity everywhere at all times. Sights to see around every block. It's sophisticated enough to be special, but casual enough to be fun. Barcelona takes pride in where they live and it shows by how they reach for the future while respecting their history.
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