The architecture of Antoni Gaudi has to be most wonderful, magical, creative I have ever seen. I want to share some of the things and places Gaudi that we saw....
Barcelona is graced with many of his works....bus stops along the Paseo de Gracia designed by Gaudi.
Casa Batllo located very near to our hotel was completed in 1907 for the textile magnet Josep Batllo. It has a skeletal feel I think....eyes....bones, clothed in beautiful tile clothing....
There is not one single square edge in the entire structure, just rounded, sinuous, flowing lines that keep you spinning round and round.
He designed every single surface, lighting fixture, piece of hardware. This home has only been open to the public since 2002 and what a marvel it is.
I love this photo as it looks like we felt...swept away in a blur at every detail we viewed.
The details from the rooftop terrace...a long bony looking edge that contrasts with the ever blue sky of Spain.
Now we're off to Parc Guell....ahhhh, it's over the top amazing with not only tile covering ever surface but mosaic of rock that mimics the palm trees. The walk from the metro was a treat too as all the shops along the way have tile mosaic fronts and imaginative displays.
This is the area directly below the benches above, it was to be the market place for the housing that was to be built here. Only 3 houses were ever built, it was not very well accepted in it's day.
One of the remaining houses (seen through the window here) is the gift shop and one is the house Gaudi lived in until his death in 1926. This picture is taken from his house...now the Museo de Gaudi. What was nice is that not many of the huge number of people visiting the park wanted to cough up the 2e to visit the Museum so we had it practically to ourselves.
The inside of his house is painted a cool Mediterranean blue....a quiet respite from the wild visual stimulation outside.
He was ahead of his time....and I'm not sure we've caught up to him yet.
Oh first of all, Happy Belated B-day to your lovely girl!!!
As for the architecture. INCREIBLE! I could move right in... Hand me that little gingerbread looking house!! I need it! OH my, can you imagine???? xoxooxox
Posted by: A Fanciful Twist | October 22, 2007 at 08:56 AM
oh my gosh! Thank you for sharing these photos. They take my breath away, and make me hope/dream/envision going there some day. I have had a love affair with mosaics for quite a while, and am totally blown away by what I see there. Thanks for giving me a glimpse! Looks like you had an aboslute wonderful trip...so happy for you! :)
Posted by: Conni | October 22, 2007 at 10:52 AM
I just love Gaudi's work. You have taken some magnificent shots here! Yes, I think he was ahead of his time.
Posted by: Paris Parfait | October 22, 2007 at 11:07 AM
Isn't/ wasn't Gaudi incredible?
Posted by: carolyn | October 22, 2007 at 11:08 AM
Looks like you have had a great trip...amazing architecture and great pictures ...awesome
Posted by: backpakker | October 22, 2007 at 12:04 PM
Welcome home!
So glad you are sharing pics with us -- all the Gaudi stuff -- wow.
Posted by: Vicki in MIchigan | October 22, 2007 at 01:36 PM
Wow! Stunning architecture.
Posted by: Felicia | October 22, 2007 at 05:54 PM
brilliant photos. you've a GOOD eye. must call travel agent. must get to spain. STAT.
Posted by: Mary Ann | October 22, 2007 at 08:42 PM
Gaudi's work is so amazing - to imagine living in and among sinuous, flowing, organic architecture like this... wow - and the rich detailed mosaic surface decoration - really a head turner - what a wonderful experience... brings to mind the paintings of Gunther Hunterwasser (sp?)- Swiss I believe - who advocated rooftop gardening...
beautiful photos Steph -
xox - eb.
Posted by: eb | October 22, 2007 at 08:43 PM
For me, Gaudi's works would be one of the reasons to go to Spain. I am always blown away by the fluidity of such a "hard" medium! Thank you for the photos!
Posted by: Dorian | October 22, 2007 at 09:29 PM
i would be swept away too to be surrounded by so much beauty!
he truly is a genius!
thank you so much for sharing these gorgeous photos! more please!!!!
Posted by: elsa | October 23, 2007 at 07:04 AM
ahhh i love the curves in these photos. i just want to run my hands across them. you are an amazing photographer... yeah, I know I have said it before, but it bears repeating
Posted by: AscenderRisesAbove | October 23, 2007 at 08:32 AM
Hey, that roof terrace looks like YOUR work!
This could be the Gaudi-Steph Estate.
System overload.
Beautiful. You've done a brilliant little travel piece here, my Darling.
Did you happen to see my boyfriend, Anthony Bourdain?
More-More-More...
Lisa H.
Posted by: Lisa Hoffman | October 23, 2007 at 07:06 PM
These pictures are A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!! If I was there and saw these...they would remind me of YOU! :-) Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: m i c h e l l e | October 23, 2007 at 07:09 PM
Wow!!! I'm soooo glad your back! we have missed you! The Gaudi architecture is truly spectacular and intriguing ! Very Dali-esque,I must investigate him further.
Posted by: Jungle Dream Pagoda | October 23, 2007 at 07:10 PM