Posts Tagged ‘Casa Batllo’
Travel Challenge -Day 3
Posted on: January 14, 2021
- In: Travel
- 52 Comments
The photo for day 2 was from Barcelona. It is one of Gaudi’s creations, Casa Batllo, which Andrew guessed. Some of you guessed Spain, which was great! Barcelona is my favourite city and I love spending time there. I’ve written about it a few times. Here are a couple of posts featuring Casa Batllo and other Gaudi buildings
https://darlenefoster.wordpress.com/2018/05/08/books-roses-music-and-gaudi/
https://darlenefoster.wordpress.com/2015/11/12/everything-gaudi/
I was nominated by my blogging friend Geoff LePard at TanGental to post one favourite travel picture a day for ten days without explanation, then to nominate someone else to participate. That’s 10 days, 10 travel pictures, and 10 nominations. It doesn´t have to be 10 consecutive days. Thanks, Geoff!
I nominate Robbie Cheadle at Robbies Inspiration. Robbie is a South African writer who also creates the most amazing cakes. She has written a wide variety of books including a series she wrote with her son and a book she co-wrote with her mother.
If I nominate you and you don’t want to participate, please do not feel obliged, but if you do, please link back to me so that I can see your post. In these times vicarious travel is a great escape, I would love to see what you choose to post.
This is my picture for day 3. If you want to guess where this is, leave your answer in the comments.
Books, Roses, Music and Gaudi
Posted on: May 8, 2018
- In: Family | History | Spain | Travel
- 72 Comments
Recently, a dear cousin happened to be in Barcelona for a day before she embarked on a cruise. I love to see family so took a quick trip to my favourite Spanish city to spend the day with her. We packed a lot in and had fun.
Cousins at Plaça Catalunya in Barcelona
We managed to see quite a bit and catch up on family news. One place she really wanted to see was Gaudi’s Sagrada Família. Every time I visit this amazing work in progress, more parts of it have been completed. She was awestruck, as everyone is when they it.
Happy to see La Sagrada Família
After a bus trip around the city and a delightful lunch on Passeig de Gràcia we visited another of Gaudi’s magical buildings, Casa Batlló, all decked out with roses.
Casa Batlló dressed in roses
Inside Casa Batlló
The roses were in honour of St. George’s Day or Día de San Jorge as it is known here in Spain. I loved all the references to roses and books scattered about the intriguing house.
I found out later that Día de San Jorge is also known as the day of books and roses. A day where lovers exchange books and roses to honour the legend of St. George or San Jorge, who is the patron saint of Catalonia.
We ended the day by strolling along La Rambla and having dinner on this iconic street. This building covered in umbrellas with a dragon on the corner caught our attention.
An umbrella building on La Rambla
I had the next morning to myself before flying back home so after a cafe con leche and a chocolate filled croissant across from Plaça Catalunya, I decided to walk to the Gothic Quarter which was nearby. I came upon the impressive Barcelona Cathedral built between the 13th and 15th centuries, the seat of the Archbishop of Barcelona. Beside it is the Gaudi Exhibition Museum. Since this had been a very Gaudi trip, I went into the museum and had a good look around. The displays depicted items from the great man’s life and things that influenced his work. It was very informative and I got to know more about Antoni Gaudi and how he came up with his unique ideas.
The legend of St. George slaying the dragon influenced Gaudi’s work. In fact, the roof of Casa Batllo is meant to look like the back of a dragon with a sword through it.
Gaudi’s workbench
The building housing the exhibition was incredible. It was built in the 12th century as a hospital for the poor. Gaudi himself was a patron and would often visit the sick. Remains of the old walls and frescos added to the experience. It was well worth the visit.
And when I went back outside, a bride and groom were preparing for a photo shoot by the cathedral. How special.
And an orchestra played music on the steps of the cathedral
People in the audience joined hands and danced to the music.
The sun shone, music played, people danced and I was overflowing with happiness. A perfect little getaway to a city that never ceases to amaze me and a chance to see a family member.
Don’t you just love this outfit made of fresh flowers?
We are off on a driving holiday to France so I may be offline for a few days, but will respond to your comments as soon as possible.
Everything Gaudi
Posted on: November 12, 2015
- In: Spain | Travel
- 47 Comments
We started our wonderful Mediterranean cruise in Barcelona. Lucky for us, good friends from Canada were there at the same time, so we arrived a day early to spend time with them. We met our friends at a Starbucks right across the street from Casa Mila, one of Gaudi´s masterpieces. There I was treated to a pumpkin spice latte which made me very happy as I had been lamenting being left out this year. (there are no Starbucks coffee shops where I live.)
Who would have thought in 2015, I would be sitting across the street from an iconic building in Barcelona, sipping a pumpkin spice latte? Should this be a dream, please don´t wake me up!
Casa Mila designed by Antoni Gaudi
A short taxi ride took us to Park Güell. We had been to Barcelona once before and loved it. But we had not visited Park Güell, so we took the opportunity to explore this fascinating park created in 1900 by Antoni Gaudi. In order to preserve this heritage site, a limited amount of people are allowed into Monument Precinct, the main park area. Our ticket was for 1:30 so we had plenty of time to wander the lush gardens around the park and take in panoramic views from the top of the hill.
Entrance to the gardens
Gaudi´s Sagrada Família from Park Gruell
Art and nature
Once inside the Monument Precinct, we were instantly mesmerized. There was so much to take in. The colours and fantastical designs were mind boggling. A combination of greenery and art amazed us at every turn. We sat on the famous ceramic bench, which was surprisingly comfortable. I read later that Gaudi had one of the workers take down his pants and sit on it to make sure it fit the human derrière perfectly.
Brightly coloured mosaic salamanders, whimsical houses fit for elves and fairies, gargoyles, and a mosaic clad ceramic undulating bench held up by 86 columns are just a few of the delights of Park Gruell. Everyone who visits can´t help but turn into an excited child in a fantasy land! (or maybe that was just me)
The ceramic bench
This mosaic salamander is the most photographed item in Barcelona!
Hypostyle Room with 86 columns
Inside the Hypostyle Room
Small pieces of broken tiles and ceramics, often taken from demolition sites, were used to create the colourful mosaics.
The Monumental Flight of Stairs, the ceramic bench is on top of the Hypostyle building.
Trying out the ceramic bench (with our pants on)
The last stop of the day before boarding the ship was Gaudi´s Casa Batllo. Another fabulous house designed by the master architect for the Batllo family. The roof top with its fascinating chimneys is something else.
Casa Batllo
Roof top of Casa Batllo
A bonus to see all this with good friends who brought us a year´s supply of Maple syrup. What a great start to our trip.
More to come…..
All photographs by Darlene and Paul Foster
