Barcelona, Gaudi, Queen........

Those were the words that came to mind when I first thought of Barcelona. This part of my blog is dedicated to one of the most magnificent cities I’ve visited.

This  will hopefully be a virgin’s guide to what to see if you’re a fan of Gaudi, architecture, food, modern, Gothic and avant-garde architecture, Opera, flamenco music and dance in fact, art of any kind. Oh and not to forget churches and cathedrals, poking about in little streets that wind around historical buildings, interesting people and weird and I musn’t forget Pauline a friend from YBW. If any of this tickles your fancy (not including Pauline) then Barcelona is the place for you.  The city is an overdose of culture and I felt intoxicated and overawed by what it had to offer.

 I don’t know how many times I’ve dreamt of visiting Barcelona and Casa Batló,Parc GÜell, and Sagrada Familia, to name but a few of the  outstanding buildings designed by Gaudi. Having only ever seen these in books  I now find myself seeing them with my own eyes.

We arrived at Port Vell marina after a 20 hour sail from Mallorca and the place is full of super, super yachts that make us look like a bath toy. One was so big it had scaffolding erected on deck, presumably for cleaning or some re-firbishment.

As we made our way along the fairway to our birth we were greeted by a monument to Columbus. This structure is over 50 meters high with four lions flanking each corner it's much like our own Nelsons column in Trafalgar Square.

 This monument to Columbus marks the beginning of the famous street, La Rambla a promenade and busy with people strolling along to the sound of musicians  live entertainment, living statues, stalls, bars, theatres and shops selling everything you could possibly want or not as the case maybe.

With your back to Columbus you face the start of the Rambla, to your left you can see the Montjuic Mountain and park.

  To the right you have Pop art sculpture by Roy Lichtenstein. Lichtenstein was a prominent American pop artist who’s  work heavily influenced by both popular advertising and the comic book style.

A short walk from here are  the beaches bordering the Olympic village built for the 1992 Olympics where you will find the amazing fish sculpture by Gehry.

One of the first public projects of Gehry, the fish sculpture was placed on Barcelona’s waterfront for the 1992 Olympics.

The monumental  sculpture functions as a landmark in the Olympic Village

If you look over your shoulder you have the Port Vell marina and behind that the Barceloneta district, a small Barcelona with a sort of village feel.

On our first day in Barcelona we just strolled along the Rambla taking in the hustle and bustle of the place.

Each day there are different stalls that line the Rambla, Wednesdays it's full of flower stalls and a wonderful display of unusial and exotic plants.

It would seem at the weekends it's a free for all where you can buy almost anything.

Musicians and living statues give it a real theatrical feel. Stalls sold everything from live tortoises to the usual memorabilia of hats, scarves, mugs and plates.The living statues were great and some very amusing. For a few cents/Euro in their hat they would let you have your picture taken with them, (I declined that one).  Frightening unsuspecting youngsters was amusing, but watching them standing so still had you wonder if they were real or not. These  in particular caught my attention; the guy walking was great and looked like he was walking into a force seven.

Of course there were also my favourite stalls, the local artist selling some of their original works or in some cases prints.

I also came across a small gallery and my eye was instantly caught by this stunning picture below. If I had a spare 12000 Euros I’d have snapped it up. The artist is Franciose Neilly.

I could have spent days just walking up and down this street or just sitting in one of the small cafe's people watching . Everywhere you look there is fantastic architecture.. Although the architecture of each building  is very different they seemed to fit together well even complimenting each other’s differences.

It's not difficult to pick out the buildings Gaudi designed and although they aren't all as extravagant  as one of my favourite  buildings in Barcelona, the Casa Batllo, they are distinctive and easily recognised just like a Picasso or Mondrian.

Casa Batllo is situated on the Rambla  and must be high on your list of ‘have to see’, it was a total remodelling project by Gaudi of a building that already stood there. Just to give you a little taste of it's delights here are a few pics. Actually, it does look good enough  to eat.

This house is like something out of Walt Disney. The uniqueness  shows so well the amazing imagination Gaudi had. His ability to use building material’s in a decorative and imaginative way is astonishing. He put thought into light, colour, form, curves and texture to make this an organic feast for the eyes.

Above is one of the wooden modernist doors situated in the main living room over looking the Ramble

The house was originally built between 1875 and 1877 and was bought in 1900 by the rich industrialist Josep Battlói Casanovaso. His original instructions to Gaudí was to tear down the old house and reconstruct a new one. Gaudí however convinced Battló to remodel the existing building. Between 1904 and 1906 when Gaudí redesigned the facade and roof, added an extra floor and completely remodelled the interior.

The facade of the Casa Battló is made of sandstone covered with colourful Catalan type of mosaics.  Gaudí avoided, straight lines  whenever possible.

                           

WOW look at those curves........

I just loved the roof that was made to look like the scales of a dragon. The balconies on the lower floors have bone-like pillars, those on the upper floors look like pieces of a scull, some say they are more like masquerade masks.

These features gave the house the nickname 'House of Bones'. The enlarged windows on the first floor gave it another nickname, 'House of Yawns'.

A small turret on the roof with a cross  symbolized the sword of St. George stuck into the dragon and the bones and skulls on the façade represent all the dragon's victims.

The house's interior is as fascinating as its exterior, if you have a magnifying glass you maybe able to see some of the details in the pics below.

Again, Gaudí avoids straight lines at all cost including the tiles, doors walls and even the stairs.

While walking up the Rambla towards Casa Batllo I first saw the balcony’s jutting out and my interpretation was more like the masquerade masks. As I moved closer and looked for the first time at the façade it took my breath away and i was rooted to the spot. It's an amazing sight and for me very emotional.  

To view the interior and the roof it costs about 12 Euros but it was well worth it. At least the money is used to keep the house in pristine condition which is an ongoing task.

Gaudi  thought about all the elements especially light and the way it’s reflected in the shapes, curves and different materials used. Ceramics feature a lot in the decorative structure inside and out.

 The blue tiles that run up the central staircase are lighter at the bottom than the top, this gives not only maximum use of light but creates a uniform colour when you look up from the bottom to the top.

There is nowhere in the building that hasn’t been well thought out even the smallest of handles on the windows are not only aesthetic but designed to fit the hand like a glove when held. Coloured glass panels in the windows give various colour shafts of light into the rooms. The walls are painted yet from a distance they look like small mosaic tiles.

  The chimneys are beautifully shaped and tiled. Gaudi certainly made my fantasy come true, As a  child you  would dream of living in a house like this, in fact I do dream of living in a house like this.

 My pics don’t give do justice so if there is any room on your wish list add Gaudi’s Casa Batlo as a ‘must see’ when you visit Barcelona.

 There's so much to see here and we needed to be organised so we decided to do one of the bus tours. For 29 Euros you can have a two day pass that covers most of what you want to see. With three separate routes you are able to hop on and off at random, see what you want to see then hope back on again. The buses are open topped but be aware they do get busy. When you purchase your ticket you also get a booklet with discount vouchers for some of the museums, restaurants and shops. So do this before you visit anywhere where there is an entrance fee.

 I think a city bus tour is a must, not just for seeing Barcelona from a different view and in comfort but also to help you get the layout in your mind.

 

One word of warning, be aware and take all precautions of your belongings as pickpockets are rife. We had a near miss experience when sitting in a square having a picnic. They often work in groups where one will distract you while the other sneaks up and lifts your purse/wallet or  bag.

 

We were too quick for the two who tried their technique on us. So no wallets sticking out of back pockets and keep your bag over your shoulder and zipped. I attached my purse to my belt loop with a line then tucked it in my underwear just in case. My reasoning was if anyone was brave enough to reach into my undies they are welcome to whatever they found......

I've lots more to add to this but it's a big task so will do it in instalments...

Comments

[Brendan]

That is the most animated I think I've read you post on anything since you embarked on your trip...doesn't surprise me at all, it's your passion