Sunday, November 10, 2013

Day 6 ~ Barcelona & Gaudi

Today we filled our day with Antoni Gaudi (1852-1926). We began with a walk around our hotel neighborhood to view the exterior of two homes built by Gaudi. First was La Pedrera built from 1906 to 1912. It was a controversial design at the time for the bold forms of the undulating stone facade and wrought iron decoration of the balconies and windows.

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Next we walked to Casa Batlló which was a remodel by Gaudi in 1904 of a previously built house. Much of the façade is decorated with a mosaic made of broken ceramic tiles. The roof is arched and looks like the scales on the back of a dragon. 

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From here we hopped in a taxi and headed to Park Güell, a garden complex with architectural elements built from 1900 to 1914.  Located on a hill, the park has beautiful views of the city and the Mediterranean Sea. There is  such a mix of whimsy, beautiful gardens, formal architecture and natural rock work.  Rather than any further description, I will let the pictures speak for themselves. 

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From here we hopped on a hop-on-hop-off bus back to the Gothic area of town to the Picasso Museum.  We all decided that Gaudi was much more fun; so after a bite to eat, we finished our day returning to La Pedrera to tour the interior and roof top.  Some of Gaudi’s figures on the roof top remind me of Star Wars figures. 

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Before leaving the roof top, we were treated to another beautiful sunset. 6-i-gaudi So I better get busy packing since we leave for Madrid in the morning.  We have had a wonderful time in Barcelona and feel we have seen it well. 

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