Nestled on the northeast Mediterranean Sea coast of Spain, lies the ancient and great city of Barcelona. Although born of the Roman Empire, and not really blossoming until the mid nineteenth century, Barcelona has managed to retain its old world charm while seamlessly integrating many exciting elements of the modern age.
Remnants of the old Roman architecture are still in evidence. Part of an aqueduct in the Barri Gotic or gothic quarter is still standing, as are some of the streets. However, unlike Rome itself, the majority of the older buildings date back to the time that gives the area its name. Many of the famed churches in Barcelona, such as the world famous La Seu, were born in the medieval years.
Parc Guell Barcelona
The late nineteenth and early twentieth century is very much alive and well in this artistic city, thanks to Antonio Gaudi and his patrons. Park Guell and the Sagrada Familia are two notable examples, although there are numerous others including the Casa Milà. Even the lampposts outside the Pla de Palau show the characteristic touch of this unique artist.
Arc De Triomf Barcelona
However, Gaudi has hardly been alone in forming the great buildings and monuments of Barcelona. The Arc de Triomf, built for the 1888 Universal Exhibition, is an outstanding case in point. Although not as famous as the Parisian structure of that name, it is no less a thing of beauty. The numerous sights of Cituadella Park, Montjuic, and other areas of the city offer still more examples of the great things to see here.
The whole range of art throughout these centuries is on display at the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya or MNAC. Here, visitors can find examples of objects from the Romanesque period (early 11th century) and continuing through the turn of the century, works drawn from all over Catalonia.
Barcelona is a city of modern as well as old, with the Poble Espanyol and numerous other famed structures, being built for the International Exhibition in 1929. This collection of over one hundred buildings was drawn from every style in Spain. Besides being able to see the complete range of Spanish residential architecture in a single location, you can shop, dine and dance to your hearts content.
La Boqueria - Mercat de Sant Josep
If you are seeking a fine combination of food and civic art, you could do no better than a visit to La Boqueria, the Mercat de Sant Josep, or St. Joseph's Market. Housed in a stellar 19th century structure, there are literally dozens of produce stalls offering every variety of native fruit and vegetable you can imagine. Then when it is time for a rest, why not sample one of the several superb tapas bars, such as Pinotxo.
Once you are refreshed and recharged, head out to the Barcelona Zoo or the Aquarium at Port Vell. Alternatively, if you want a stunning and unforgettable view of the entire city of Barcelona, head to the top of Montjuic. No matter where you go in this excellent city, you will be presented with some of the finest things to see and do anywhere in Europe.
Another of the many legacies to the city of Barcelona by renowned architect Antonio Gaudi is Parc Guell. Completed in 1914, this UNESCO nominated world heritage site sits in the hills on the northern perimeter of Barcelona.
The twenty-hectare park boasts exceptional architectural elements nestled in a serene haven of lush greenery while also offering the visitor a stunning panoramic view of the city below. The terraced gardens offer an outstanding blend of both natural and artificial. Gaudi loved to include colourful mosaic tile in his design for the park and nowhere is this love more apparent than in the available seating.
Barcelona can get very warm and many of the hills are steep so before entering the park, stop at the small cafe on the outskirts and have a cool drink.
Entrance to Parc Guell by Antonio Gaudi
If you are in need of a little more sustenance, there are a number of small restaurants to choose from.
Just as you enter, take a moment to enjoy the outstanding dragon-themed fountain with its multi colored tile design. Then saunter down the flower adorned pathways dotted with numerous mosaic tiles that show off the distinctive influence of Antonio Gaudi.
Parc Guell Dragon Fountain
Many more sights that are interesting await you once you get further inside the park. There is a museum dedicated to Gaudi's art, filled with photos and other items both educational and ornamental. The building was once the architect's house, which still contains furniture that was designed by Gaudi himself.
Once outside again, there is no shortage of other worthy sights to peruse. Alongside the lush shrubbery, you will come across sculptures, columns, restaurants and museums. Then there is the enormous curved bench known as the Paseo de Palmas, which is the famed throughout the city.
A little further on is the Sala de las Cien Columnas or Hall of the Hundred Columns, which is an amazing array of classical supports. However, what they support is drawn from later styles, such as the romantic-era balcony, which is covered in mosaic tiles of a more contemporary design.
In close proximity there is a walkway supported by twisted rock pillars, introducing yet another style. Uneven and organic in looks, they demonstrate another aspect of the organic eclecticism Gaudi embraced.
There is no charge for admission to Parc Guell and the majority of the buildings open at 10am. There are several entrances to the park. Taking the metro to the Lesseps stop will bring you to the base, which will then entail a steep climb up the hill on which the park rests. Alternatively, take the metro to the stop at Vallcarca where there are outdoor escalators that will transport you to the top of the park.
Although the city of Barcelona is over two thousand years old, much of the architectural excellence that can be seen today is attributed to the famed artist and architect Antonio Gaudi, who was active towards the latter end of the 19th century. Because of his efforts, this Spanish city lists so many works with the mark of Gaudi on them that it would take many volumes in a book to list and describe them all.
Undeniably, the most famous of his buildings in Barcelona is the Sagrada Familia, also known as the Temple of the Holy Family. The structure is part neo-Gothic, part neo-Baroque it is sui generis and almost defies description with words alone. Begun in 1883, it is a series of spires topping a church and is still under construction to this day.
Sagrada Familia Barcelona
Antonio Gaudi
One of the architect’s civil engineering projects is the Park Guell on nearby Montjuic. Completed in 1914, it is a twenty-hectare site, filled with lush greenery and art objects that would be the envy of visitors to Central Park in New York. Whether it is the exceptional lizard sculpture, the famous and huge wavy bench or just a touch of mosaic tile here and there, the characteristic Gaudi look is obvious.
The Casa Milà, or La Pedrera (The Stone Quarry) is another structure that is nearly as well known and just as often visited, Although the original design was for a private home, it quickly evolved into a set of individual apartments. The raw, rolling balconies give the facade its distinctive look from the street, but the organic Gaudi elements are all over the structure. From the ice-cream cone-shaped chimneys to the seaweed-style wrought iron to the hushed, glowing attic, the building has the hallmarks of Gaudi throughout.
Parc Guell Barcelona
Proving the point that Gaudi was the Father of Spanish Art Nouveau, Casa Batllo, erected in 1907, is one of the architects many buildings that are on the UNESCO World Heritage list of worthy treasures. As in the Casa Milà, the unusual artistic style of the man is plainly visible. The balconies that bear an uncanny resemblance to sections of skull around the eye sockets merge with a colorful mosaic-like facade that appears to be melting. Even more proof of his unique style, if any were needed, is the curved chimney complex set in front of an orange clamshell roofline.
Gaudi employed organic shapes everywhere, but always personalized them to his own purposes, just as the better-known Frank Lloyd Wright always did. That is obvious in the Colonia Guell chapel where the distinctive arches bear the stamp of this remarkable artist. Decorated with organic carvings, the arches themselves are sharp angled but still manage to blend seamlessly into a main structure that appears almost cave like.
In the city of Barcelona, which is full of outstanding architecture, Gaudi's work continues to attract both visitors and locals alike. It only takes a fleeting glimpse of any of his buildings to understand the reasons why.
