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.
Fabulous photos, I just love Gaudi's work, thanks so much for sharing them
Posted by: ro bruhn | October 25, 2007 at 06:18 AM
Wow! I love this place. I had seen it on the travel channel when Samantha Brown was there, but your pictures give me sneak peaks I have not seen before. It is so unusual!!! I hope you had a great time there...can't wait to visit...someday ;)
Posted by: My Melange | October 26, 2007 at 07:15 PM
This is so wild. I'm sure Frank Gehry must have been inspired by this.
Posted by: corine@ Hidden in France | November 01, 2007 at 09:32 PM