Short Trip to Barcelona

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Saturday, 1 July 2017 - Up early in Barcelona to wander the quiet streets before visiting Modernista architectural gems including the Church of the Holy Conception and El Concepció Market, strolled through Eixample to see the Block of Discord and Gaudí's Casa Batlló interiors, toured the Sagrada Família's soaring nave and stained glass, then explored the Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, and enjoyed panoramic city views from Montjuïc overlooking the port.

barcelona2017 — Up early and the street outside the hotel was deserted at 0600.

Today is modernist day - many homes and buildings to visit. But before the various buildings open a walk around the old town.

barcelona2017 — Nice little apartment balcony

barcelona2017 — A little child-like statue at a fountain - notice the toe which has been rubbed for good luck until it shines.

barcelona2017 — Interesting tile roof on the Cases Antoni Rocamora

barcelona2017 — Decoration on a building off the Ramblas

barcelona2017 — Carving above the door leading to the Our Lady of Bethlehem. The church was built on the site of an older church that dated from 1553 and was originally the main Jesuit school in the city.

barcelona2017 — Walking to a coffee shop we stumbled on a bride and groom on their wedding photo shoot.

barcelona2017 — Statue of Barcelona, the city represented as a woman on top of a strong horse, holding a ship over her head as a symbol of exploration and trade.

barcelona2017 — Top of a building facing the Placa de Catalunya

barcelona2017 — The tour starts....

The interior of the Church of the Holy Conception, a 14th century Gothic church. It once stood in the old walled city, when the wall came down in the 1870s this church was moved, brick by brick.

barcelona2017 — Detail of the Church of the Holy Conception

barcelona2017 — Above the altar

barcelona2017 — Beautiful gold box and candle

barcelona2017 — A short walk to the La Concepcio Market - we were the only tourists - all locals.

barcelona2017 — While we were allowed to take pictures in the more touristy markets in this one we were shooed away a couple of times.

barcelona2017 — So much fresh fish

barcelona2017 — Outside the market only a block away was a flower market.

barcelona2017 — The buildings in the Elxample neighborhoods. Very intricate patios and bay windows.

barcelona2017 — Windows on an apartment building

barcelona2017 — A few blocks away - the Block of Discord. In one block are three buildings from three creative Modernista architects.

Casa Batilo is first on the block and the most famous deigned by Gaudi. It is thought that he used the Legend of Saint Jordi (George) slaying the dragon as inspiration. We will return to go in.

barcelona2017 — Next on the block is Casa Amatiler designed by Cadafalch. This facade features Moorish pentagram and vines and Gothic gargoyles and bay windows. There are many representations of the letter "A" as the home was where the Amatller family lived.

We will return to visit inside

barcelona2017 — The third home on the block is the Casa Lieo Morera. The architect Montaner is responsible for its Greek columns and Gothic balconies. The very top is faux Moorish stucco.

We did not have time to tour this house.

barcelona2017 — Back to the Gaudi house - Casa Batilo with the familiar balconies.

Fortunately we were there early and there was no line to get in. It was by far the best interior tour for the day.

barcelona2017 — The foyer and steps leading to the living quarters of the house

barcelona2017 — The stairs and unique windows in the ceiling,

barcelona2017 — A unique spot in the house where a mushroom like alcove was created around a fireplace with seats on either side.

barcelona2017 — Very cool ceiling with a light at the middle of the swirl

barcelona2017 — Interesting wood wall with stained glass embedded

barcelona2017 — Uniquely shaped window

barcelona2017 — The classic broken tile technique we saw at Park Gaudi used here on a wall design in an outside patio

barcelona2017 — Wall tiles

barcelona2017 — The wall leading up to a skylight in the central stairway through the home.

barcelona2017 — On the top floor were storerooms and guest rooms

barcelona2017 — Chimneys covered in tile

barcelona2017 — The original water tank is now is home to a water feature and pretty neat music - very soothing

barcelona2017 — A hallway on the top floor for store rooms.

barcelona2017 — The main staircase for the home - marble and tile

barcelona2017 — Use of tile and back lit glass in the walls

barcelona2017 — Next door at the Casa Amatiler a unique lamp with a dragon

barcelona2017 — Tile work in this home was not quite as modern. This home inside was much more formal.

barcelona2017 — Marble work over a fireplace in the dining room

barcelona2017 — Detail of the fireplace marble work

barcelona2017 — Glass wall separating the kitchen from the hallway

barcelona2017 — Bedroom ceiling - carved wood

barcelona2017 — Marble carving in the daughter's bedroom

barcelona2017 — From the Block of Discord a taxi ride to the Sagrada Familia church. Designed by Gaudi this church is still under construction a century after his death. It is essential Modernista style with nature, religion, and classics all represented in a single building.

Last time we were in Barcelona there was scaffolding inside. Now the inside is remarkable - large columns reaching 150 feet to the sky and colorful light from the enormous stained glass windows. The arches at the top show off Gaudi's engineering - he loved working with arches.

barcelona2017 — The church stained glass on one side of the church is warm colors and the opposite side is cool colors. This is the warmer side of the church.

barcelona2017 — The four gospels are represented by medallions on the pillars. These pillars are red porphyry columns and are the primary support for the ceiling vault 200 feet overhead and will eventually support the main steeple (still under construction).

barcelona2017 — The canopy over the altar

barcelona2017 — Stained glass through the church pillars

barcelona2017 — For an additional charge you can take an elevator ride up to the higher elevation of the church.

There are not many views once you are off the elevator, but you can see some of the adornments on the outside of the church. Here is a typical Gaudi decoration with broken tile.

barcelona2017 — Another decoration high up outside the church

barcelona2017 — Sculpture and carving on the outside of the church

barcelona2017 — While you are allowed to ride an elevator up you must walk down - this is one of the spiral staircases on the way back down.

barcelona2017 — The light from the stained glass on the walls. Standing on the side looking back across the stained glass wall but from the side the light highlights the cement walls.

barcelona2017 — Outside the church high on the facade - the Nativity Facade - was the only one finished in Guadi's lifetime and focuses on Christ's birth and life.

barcelona2017 — Detail of the sculpture on the Nativity Facade

barcelona2017 — This is the detail on the doors - designed by the head sculptor Sotoo where little bugs crawl about.

barcelona2017 — Christ on the cross over the alter

barcelona2017 — Light from the cooler side of the stained glass on the cement walls.

barcelona2017 — Crucifixion of Christ over the alter with the organ in the background

barcelona2017 — Glory Facade entrance doors have the Lord's Prayer in Catalan surrounded by the same prayer in 50 languages. Outside this door are several blocks which will need to be destroyed to make room for the main entrance.

barcelona2017 — Statue high in the church

barcelona2017 — Detail on the Passion Facade about Christ's death. The style is quite different from the Gaudi sculpted facade.

barcelona2017 — Detail on the Passion Facade door - a very large bronze affair.

barcelona2017 — The spires - when finished the church will have 18 spires. Four at each entrance and 4 taller towers representing the four Evangelists. Rising above those will be a tower dedicated to Mary rising 400 feet. At the very center will be a tower dedicated to Jesus which will rise 560 feet.

barcelona2017 — A taxi ride to a place we had not been on previous trips. Rick Steves said it was special so we decided to make the short trip to Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau (Hospital of the Holy Cross and Saint Paul).

This is a former hospital and now a museum. Built between 1901 and 1930 and designed by Montaner it was operational until 2009. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

barcelona2017 — The use of tile was extensive

barcelona2017 — The tiled ceiling in one of the hospital wards

barcelona2017 — The ceiling of a rotunda on the front of a hospital ward where the nursing station was located.

barcelona2017 — Tiled windows high in the hospital ward making the room very bright despite few lights.

barcelona2017 — Angel reaching up on top of a building

barcelona2017 — The detailed sculptures on all the buildings were amazing

barcelona2017 — Roofline decoration - I do not think they are chimneys.

barcelona2017 — The rotunda and roof of a hospital ward

barcelona2017 — Ornate building corner

barcelona2017 — Chimneys on a tiled roof

barcelona2017 — A gargoyle on the end of a building

barcelona2017 — Gold cross on the top of a tower

barcelona2017 — This is a very large mosaic of small tiles.

barcelona2017 — The buildings are so unique

barcelona2017 — The ceiling of the administration building

barcelona2017 — The entrance to the second floor of the administration building. Simply spectacular.

This is looking up as we ascend the stairs.

barcelona2017 — Detail in the chapel of the tile and molding.

barcelona2017 — The chapel in the administration building.

barcelona2017 — The view of the hospital grounds from the second floor of the Administration building

barcelona2017 — Arch work in the ceiling

barcelona2017 — The dates on the ceiling seem to indicate the beginning at 1905 and end at 1910 - which may have been the dates for construction of this building.

barcelona2017 — Typical tiled ceiling

barcelona2017 — After the hospital a trip downtown to Casa Milia - another fanciful Gaudi Modernista building. This was Gaudi's last major work before he dedicated himself to the Sagrada Familia.

The building has a steel structural skeleton which was a relatively new practice at the time.

barcelona2017 — The tour begins on the roof and you make your way down

The chimneys in the foreground are covered in broken champagne bottles.

barcelona2017 — More unique chimneys

barcelona2017 — This is a tiled covered vent

barcelona2017 — Gaudi built a couple of arches into the rooftop terrace - this one frames the Sagrada Familia in the distance

barcelona2017 — This is a vent

barcelona2017 — The top floor was where laundry was washed and hung to dry - and the wonderful arches are exposed.

barcelona2017 — More arches - there are more than 270 catenary arches made out of brick and arranged to resemble the interior of the biblical whale.

barcelona2017 — Most of the apartments in the building are being used so there is not a lot to see inside - this is a stairwell heading down.

barcelona2017 — The stairs from the ground level courtyard up a level to a museum. Note the ceiling.

barcelona2017 — Detail of the courtyard pillars

barcelona2017 — From town we went to the hilltop overlooking Barcelona's port - Montjuic.

On top of the hill there is a fortress - Montjuic Castle. This is the bridge into the castle.

barcelona2017 — Ivy growing over the walls

barcelona2017 — Port entrance from the top of the castle

barcelona2017 — Containers in the port

barcelona2017 — Fortifications looking over the port - in this case a cruise ship

barcelona2017 — One corner of the great Montijuic Castle

barcelona2017 — The castle was built in the 18th century to control the people of Barcelona by the Spanish government. In 2010 the castle was formally turned over to the Barcelona government.

barcelona2017 — Down from the top of the hill is the Olympic Park from the 1992 games.

barcelona2017 — The Montjuic Communications Tower used to transmit Olympic highlights

barcelona2017 — Catalan Art Museum - a formidable building built for the 1929 World Expo.

barcelona2017 — An angle high on the Catalan Art Museum

barcelona2017 — A column wrapped in ivy on the stairs down the hill.

barcelona2017 — The top of a building on the fair grounds below the museum.

barcelona2017 — The Catalan Art Museum from the street level looking up the hill.

barcelona2017 — One of two towers at the entrance to the 1929 World Expo Fairgrounds

barcelona2017 — Placa d'Espanya surrounds this fountain

The fountain was designed by the architect Josep Maria Jujol, one of GaudÃ's main associates, and is a monumental allegory that pays tribute to water.

barcelona2017 — The Roman Temple of Augustus - inside this building are the ruins of a Roman Temple. This is one of the only Roman buildings which was not destroyed and then a new building built on top of the ruins.

We tried several times to get back to this building in time to tour but were unable.

barcelona2017 — Outside Barcelona City Hall is the statue of Jaume el Conqueridor. We passed through the square often and so the second picture.

barcelona2017 — Returning to the hotel - one last shot of the apartments along the small lanes.

barcelona2017 — Our hotel the night before leaving was on the outskirts of the city. In this area were several interesting buildings including this one painted a bright red.

barcelona2017 — An abandoned factory next to our hotel.

We had a great time in Barcelona and hope to return - the people, food, and sights were very special.

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