Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia in Spain, the garden of Antoni Gaudi and the largest metropolis on the Mediterranean Sea, is known as one of the world’s leading economic, tourist and cultural city. We took the train from Madrid to Barcelona directly which was really clean and fast.
We as a large group rented a private apartment on Le Ranbra, the centre of the city.
It is close to everything we needed, the metro station, local seafood market, the short and etc....
There are two legends of how Barcelona was founded. One origins from Hercules, and the other from the historical Carthaginian Hamilcar Barca, who named the city Barcino after his family.
Barcelona is known for its architectures. Many of the buildings date from medieval times. Gaudi’s pieces are remarkable throughout the city. His best-known masterpiece is the Sagrada Familia which is still under construction.
The design of la Sagrada Familia is likened to Spanish Late Gothic, Catalan Modernism and to Art Nouveau or Catalan Noucentisme. When Gaudi passed away in 1927, only a quarter was completed.
The Church has three grand facades: the Nativity to the East, the Passion to the West, and the Glory to the South.
The Nativity facade was completed the first, dedicating to the birth of Jesus as hope, faith and charity. This bears the most direct Gaudi influence, thus, you can trace Gaudi’s naturalistic style in the details. The three porticos are separated by two large columns - trees of life, with a tortoise as a base representing time as unchangeable. The two chameleons at either side symbolize change.
The Passion facade is carved with harsh straight lines to resemble the bones of a skeleton, dedicating to the suffering of Jesus during his crucifixion. The facade was intended to portray the sins of man. The construction started in the 1950s based on Gaudi’s drawings and instructions by using the effect of chiaroscuro to strike fear into the onlooker.
The Glory facade is for the Celestial Glory of Jesus by representing the road to God: Death, Final Judgement and Glory. The construction began in 2002.
The church plan is that of a Latin cross with five aisles. The interior has lots of natural elements. The branches which were inspired from trees support the high rise nave and also result in ever-changing surfaces.
Barcelona was also homes to lots of celebrities which were also designed by Antoni Gaudi, like Casa Mila, Casa Batilo, Cada Vinces and Park Guell.
We visited Park Guell, but not Casa Mila or Casa Batilo. The lineups were long and we decided to save it for next visit.
The Park Guell was built under Antoni Gaudi’s instructions. We went there by city bus which was convenient and local. It is free to visit which attracts loads of tourists everyday. Gaudi designed the park with the principles of peace and calm in mind. (My cousin fell asleep in the third photo~)
The main terrance is surrounded by a long bench like a sea serpent. The bench is decorated with many motifs to have religious mysticism.
The roadways were designed like tree trunks using local stones. This forms perfect compression structures.
The large cross is at the high-point of the part.
On the last day in Barcelona, we went shopping.
Accidentally went to a leather/luggage store, where the owner is making a leather studs collection for Lady Gaga's friend.
As Columbus is pointing to the further edge of the ocean, we were off to France.
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