Devoted to Gaudi

Yesterday's blog didn't describe the manic traffic we encountered on our arrival in Barcelona...absolutely crazy...so the car is parked and will remain so until we leave on Monday. We researched the public transport system and today set off with our fingers crossed to travel via the rail system to pay homage to Gaudi...too easy! We didn't have any problems, we found it much easier to negotiate than Melbourne!

Antoni Gaudi (1852 – 1926) was a revolutionary architect of modernism. In his long career, he designed and built many striking buildings, using innovative design features always based on elemental nature. Many of his works, which are more than buildings, can be found in Barcelona, a city where modernism has an intense presence.

Our first stop today... Sagrada Familia (Holy Family)

The best known building in Spain. Work began in 1882 and is estimated to be completed by 2030. The basilica reflects the ingenuity and creativity of Gaudí.

The green cypress tree is a refuge in a storm for the white doves of peace dotted over it.

On entering Sagrada Familia I was quite overcome with emotion...

it is so beautiful...

The interior resembles a large forest and 

the altar seems to be suspended by pure light.

This sculpture of a reptilian devil handing a terrorist a bomb is a reference to the fact that Barcelona was regularly rocked by political violence & bombings were frequent in the decades prior to the civil war.

Sagrada Familia became his life's work and Gaudi lived like a recluse on the site for 14 years. He is buried in the crypt. At his death (he was run over by a tram) only one tower had been completed, but work resumed after the Civil War and continues following his original plans.

It is impossible to convey the dimensions; 13,000 people are able to be seated and the tribunes built high above the aisles can host 2 choirs, the main tribune up to 1300 and the children's tribune up to 300.

Here's a link that you might like to have a look at...it gives a virtual tour...make sure you have a look at the interior tab.

http://www.sagradafamilia.org/en/virtual-visit/

Next stop...Park Güell (1900 – 1914) This commission of the patron and friend of Gaudí, Eusebi Güell, in principle was going to be a luxury urbanisation in the middle of nature, but the project failed and ended up becoming a park where there is not a straight line. In 1984, UNESCO declared the park a World Heritage Site.

The view from the top is spectacular...you can see Sagrada Familia in the middle of the photo and the Mediterranean in the distance.

We then walked home via Passieg de Gracia

where three Gaudi buildings stand in close proximity.

Casa Milá or La Pedrera (1906 – 1912). This house reflects Gaudí's idea of what a house of the early twentieth century should be like. Although Mrs. Mila never liked it, and at first it was called La Pedrera in a contemptuous way. It is another example of the genius of Gaudi.

The Casa Batlló...Gaudí was commissioned to renovate the existing building, and he did change it. The facade is most colourful, as well as the roof, which represents the battle of San George (patron of Catalonia) against the dragon.

Today we walked 19.1 k's...I think thats's a record!

Tonight our dinner was made up of produce we bought at the market yesterday. Andrew cooked two HUGE pieces of steak and I put a salad together...we were hungry after all that walking!