 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Barcelona |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
For years I didn't care about Spain - too bad was the image I had of the country as a cheap destination for drunk lowlife tourists. But the wonderful time spent in Andalucia last year convinced me otherwise and I decided to take a look around the country. Since so many people had been gushing about the beauty of Barcelona and the town is within easy reach thanks to bargain airline Germanwings, Barcelona was the next destination in my quest to get to know the Spain beyond Ballermann and Lloret de Mar.
This is the modern harbour area, recently redeveloped for the Olympic Games 1994 (funny enough it reminded me a lot of Darling Harbour in Sydney, which had also been given a modern overhaul with an Aquarium, museum and shopping mall for the Olympic Games 2000). Above is the Columbus monument - note that he is facing east and not west to America (still got it wrong, doesn't he? *g*). To the left is "Las Ramblas" - the mile-long stretch of promenades all the way from Plaza Catalunya to the harbour. It's full of market stalls, restaurants and street artists and indeed quite nice for a stroll but too overcrowded and touristy for my sake (hold on to your handbag and purse!) |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
This was more like it - the Barrio Gotico, Barcelona's oldest quarter dating back to the 14th century. The whole area with its tiny crooked streets and ancient buildings is so well-preserved that you really expect to bump into a Musketeer behind the next street corner. Above is the inner courtyard of Barcelona's main church, Santa Eulalia, also dating back several centuries. |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
However, Santa Eulalia may be the oldest church in Barcelona but it most certainly isn't the most famous one - that's the Sagrada Familia, Antoni Gaudi's unfinished masterpiece that also dominates the Barcelona skyline. They've been at it for more than fifty years now and although series of photos document the progress of the work, it's very far from finished. Well, the cathedral in Cologne took more than 500 years, so they shouldn't lose heart just yet |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The pictures can't document the sheer genius of Gaudi's work here - although the church towers always look quite cheesy on photos, I do believe that Gaudi was the first one in centuries to try a new style for church building, which is documented in so many amazing little details all over the Sagrada Familia. All I can say is - go and see for yourself ;)
My first exposure to Anton� Gaudi was the dreadful musical by Eric Woolfson that only served to turn me off him. It was thus with a lot of sarcasm that I arrived in Barcelona, where most of his famous works can be found. However, it didn't take me long to be bowled over by this man's imagination and creativity. Photos just can't do him justice. |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
To the left and below is Parc Guell, a parc Gaudi designed for a rich Barcelona businessman who intended this to become an entire quarter to live in. Today it's mainly the fabulous entrance (reminiscent of Disneyland more than anything else) with his famous dragon fountain that attracts visitors.
To the right is the Casa Mila, one of Gaudi's most important works in the city of Barcelona at the Passeig de Gracia, the major shopping street. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Finally... our safe haven from the bustle of the city - an oasis of peace right in the centre of Barcelona :) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|