BARCELONA - Part 1
What does the city of Barcelona conjure in your imagination? For me, Gaudi features high on my list.
The Sagrada Familia - Gaudi's unfinished masterpiece - attracts visitors in their thousands. The building is certainly extraordinary.
I was in Barcelona this week on a city break to enjoy a little sight-seeing. Whilst I knew that the Sagrada Familia is still a work in progress, I was slightly disappointed by the amount of scaffolding and builder's accoutrements which adorn the facade.
But there's no denying the complexity and uniqueness of Gaudi's imagination.
If you don't want to end up in a long queue, or even find the tickets are sold out, it's necessary to plan your visits to the big attractions in Barcelona in advance. This became a major obstacle for me. I didn't want to plan my visit that carefully. Spontaneity is very Spanish and something I prefer to embrace. Thus, I only saw the Sagrada Familia from the outside!
I hope you'll join me in a couple of weeks for more Barcelona images.
I love Gaudi! I would love to see his work in person so you are lucky to view some of his works. Love these pictures and the last one is so beautiful with the colours.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Birgit. Yes, Gaudi's art is fascinating in its weirdness and sheer inventiveness! I took the last photo in the grounds near the Sagrada Familia because of those glorious colours. :)
DeleteAnother coincidence! A friend showed me her souvenire bookmark from the Sagrada Familia only the other day.
ReplyDeleteFunny how these things happen, Lizy! :)
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ReplyDeleteWhen we visited (by ship) we rather rashly decided to walk up to the cathedral. It was a really hot day and as we didn't have much cash with us and hadn't checked the entry price beforehand we didn't risk buying drinks or ice cream. We hadn't checked how far it was either, nor had we booked so we had to queue. We did get in though and spent so long inside that we had to rush back to the ship, not daring to stop for a drink in case we missed it. Maybe SOME planning would have been a good idea?
ReplyDeleteIt was worth it though – amazing place.
That's some story, Patsy. It's a long walk from the docks. We went on the metro and our hotel was much nearer than that!
DeleteBarcelona is Gaudi to me. I love all his buildings and the park is amazing!The Sagrada Familia is something else and I went twice, there is so much to see. The outside is the best anyway!! I could study it for hours. Great pictures. Look forward to more.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Darlene. Barcelona's a great city - but then so many Spanish cities are wonderful! I'm planning to write at least one more Barcelona post. :)
DeleteI wasn't familiar with Gaudi. Thanks for the introduction.
ReplyDeleteYou're very welcome! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post! I love the design of The Sagrada Familia.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kathleen. It's fabulous, isn't it? :)
ReplyDeleteHappily you got to see The Sagrada Familia. My very brief time in Barcelona was in torrential, cold rain. I was miserable and saw very little of the grey, bleak city. I'm enamoured with Gaudi's architectural masterpieces. I think I need a Barcelona do-over :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a shame you had a negative experience in Barcelona, Joanne. Hopefully you'll have the opportunity to visit again and discover it's gems! :)
ReplyDeleteBarcelona is very high on my list. We missed it on our first visit to Spain due to time constraints of a cycling trip. I'm like you in that I don't like long lines. Your photos are definitely inspiring Spanish wanderlust.
ReplyDeleteAlong with some of that beautiful countryside you must have cycled, Spain abounds in wonderful cities... it's an extraordinarily underrated country and well worth thorough exploration. I'm speaking from fifteen years experience of living there. :)
DeleteBarcelona is Gaudi; Gaudi is Barcelona. A city I adore.
ReplyDeleteI'm not dreaming - a short story
Yes, Barcelona has to be in my top ten favourite cities in the world, Keith. :)
DeleteThat building is amazing! I'd love to see more of it.
ReplyDeleteI love the way you caught the bright blue flowers in the background of your last pic.
It is amazing, isn't it, Sandra? Glad you enjoyed this post (I'm a sucker for plant/flower photography!)
DeleteThank you for bringing it all back to me, Susan. I adored looking at and visiting the Gaudi buildings when we were there a few years back.
ReplyDeleteWhat? They still haven't finished the Sagrada Familia?!!
You're welcome, Helen. My theory is that they don't want to finish it because 'Gaudi's unfinished masterpiece' would require a new tag-line! :)
DeleteI've been to Barcelona a couple of times and can't wait to go back sometime. The Sagrada Familia was amazing but to be honest I found it a bit much to take in - some of the smaller Gaudi buildings (and most of Parc Gaudi) were much more my cup of tea! Nice photos by the way - I've got quite a few shots of those towers with the strange "berries" on top, too :-)
ReplyDeleteThe great thing about Barcelona is that it's an easy flight away for me, so it's perfect for a short city break because I agree with you, Dan - it's best taken in small bites!
ReplyDeleteThe first I was in Barcelona, I remember not being able to process all of that Gaudi. What a mind that man had to see and create these architectural pieces of art. Loved seeing your pictures.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lee. His distinctive modernist work is astonishing - and yes, a little overwhelming. Glad you enjoyed the post.
ReplyDeleteBarcelona is high up on my 'must visit' list, and I'll remember your tip about planning if I get there. I much prefer wandering about and discovering things by accident but it would be very frustrating not to be able to see everything!
ReplyDeleteHi, Linda - yes, it's always a bit of a problem with cities where tickets are required for everything!
ReplyDeleteOh, what a loss! Just once in a while you have to sacrifice spontaneity- and this is one of those occasions. The interior is pure magic.
ReplyDeleteI spent 5 nights in the city and there was much to love.
It was a shame to miss the interior, Jo - but we visited in the morning and we were told that we wouldn't be able to enter until 6.15 that evening, which just wasn't convenient.
ReplyDeleteI am sad to admit that about 6 years ago when we planned a cycling trip to Spain I knew little about Gaudi and we did not go to Barcelona. I definitely hope we get there one day. I understand lots ot see from the outside of buildings as well.
ReplyDeleteWell, it's a good excuse to plan another European trip, isn't it, Sue? :)
DeleteIt looks an amazing place! I'd love to see it for myself someday.
ReplyDeleteAdd it to your travel wishlist, Bun. :)
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