A year on from my original posts about La Sagrada Familia:
Here’s another look inside and outside of this astonishing masterpiece by Antoni Gaudi:
It’s just stunning isn’t it!
Another Look at La Sagrada Familia
Category: City
Streets of Barcelona
Walking around Barcelona is easy and there are many alleyways and streets to explore. There are buildings, parks, street art and many other attractions. There is so much to see and on a day out in this wonderful city, I took to the streets to see what I could find.
I will definitely go back to Barcelona, there is still so much I haven’t seen.
Van Gogh – Alive!
Two years after I went to see the Van Gogh and Britain exhibition, I ventured back to the capital to attend Van Gogh – Alive!
This was an exhibition like no other and certainly not one I have experienced in the past.
“Prepare to transcend time and space as you accompany Van Gogh on a journey through the Netherlands, Arles, Saint Rémy and Auvers-sur-Oise, where he created many of his timeless masterpieces. Set to an evocative classical score, a thrilling display of over 3,000 inspirational images transforms every surface that surrounds you in what has been described as an “unforgettable multi-sensory experience“. At Van Gogh Alive you don’t just look at his paintings, you step inside them and feel their power.” – The website of Van Gogh Alive
The experience has been all over the world and the UK and I went to Kensington Gardens to see it.
So, let’s immerse ourselves in the world of Van Gogh.
A brief interlude in the immersive (and mirrored) sunflower room.
Immersion continues.
This exhibition was fabulous and a different and exciting way to bring art into your world!
Van Gogh Alive continues its tour of the UK in Brighton this month!
Millbank to Leicester Square
Back in 2019, on a quest to have days out like I used to, I took a train to London to visit Tate Britain and the Van Gogh Exhibition.
I took a tube from Euston to Pimlico and made my way to Millbank for some river views.
On the opposite side of the road, stands Tate Britain which has shown its art collections to the public since 1897!
Outside the gallery, there are statues from Greek legends, like the ‘Rescue of Andromeda‘ and ‘The Death of Dirce.’
More on the actual Van Gogh exhibition in a future post, but for now, let’s just skip around the back of the gallery to find this statue of Sir John Everett Millais – a wellknown and successful Victorian painter.
I leave Millbank and walk along the streets until I reach Dean’s Yard and Westminster Abbey.
And find equally impressive buildings as I wander some more.
I reach St James Park – a welcome and beautiful green space.
I turn right towards Admiralty Arch.
And across Trafalgar Square.
Through the streets some more…
Until I pass the London Coliseum – a theatre on St Martin’s Lane.
I arrived at Leicester Square for food and drinks before heading back to Northampton. What a fabulous day out!
Sagrada Familia – mindful moments
I wrote about the wonderful Sagrada Familia last week, so this week, just take a moment to enjoy the beauty and serenity of arguably the best tourist attraction you will ever visit!
Peace and love to all 🙂
Sagrada Familia, Barcelona
Unless you have witnessed the Sagrada Familia for yourself, I would bet that you have never seen anything quite like this before. I said this about Park Guell, but the Sagrada Familia in on another (Gaudi) level!
Antoni Gaudi was put in charge of designing this fabulous basilica in 1883 and it’s not finished yet! If you’d like to read the full history, there is an interesting timeline from the 19th century until the present day on the Sagrada Familia’s official website. One of the longest ever architectural commissions, but in Gaudi’s apparent words “My client is not in a hurry!”
My first glimpse of this impressive building as I walked down Carrer de Sardenya.
Before you even enter the basilica, your gaze will immediately be drawn to the wonderful sculptures on the walls – this being part of the Nativity Facade.
Inside, you won’t know where to look first. I was wide-eyed with wonder and excitement and my mouth spilled out a silent “wow!”
The stone columns throughout the interior have been designed in typical Gaudi style – to resemble a forest with its trees and branches reaching up into the vaults. It really is stunning!
With curved lines to mingle man-made structures with natural forms. This design can also be seen at Park Guell.
Once section of the basilica is also known as the temple of light because the beautifully coloured stain-glassed windows allows natural light to flood in at certain times of the day – creating an ethereal atmosphere.
A view along the nave and aisle.
If you include it in your ticket, you can ascend the stairs to the towers.
There are other, smaller features, that can be easily missed, like this emblem of Saint Luke.
And, as part of the stain-glassed designs, the names of places and people that might have some religious significance.
Outside, you can see the Passion Facade which is dedicated to the Passion of Christ with its pediment of bone-shaped columns at the top.
The 4 spires at the top of the Passion Facade represent 4 of the apostles – James, Thomas, Philip and Bartholomew. (Wikipedia)
The exterior of the basilica is carved with beautiful sculptures and features.
Other spires have bunches of fruit and wheat which represent the Holy Communion.
If you look upwards, you can see the construction work taking place at the top of the building. Once the final tower has been built, the basilica will become the tallest church-building in the world! (Wikipedia)
The Sagrada Familia is still a work-in-progress, but it is due to be completed around 2026 – some 143 years after Gaudi started his masterpiece.
It’s a beauty now and it will take your breath away, but just look at what it’s going to look like!
It’s a definite must-see attraction when you visit Barcelona.
Close-up Captures of Park Guell
As a photographer, I’m always looking for the ‘not so obvious’ subjects and Park Guell had lots – I just had to keep my eyes open!
Park Guell ceramic medallions on the front of the Porters Lodge .
The ceramic tiles of the wall on either side of the Dragon Stairway.
The ceiling decor of the Hypostyle Room, beautifully created with colourful ceramic tiles.
The house where Gaudi lived – now the Gaudi House Museum.
The fan-shaped fence surrounding the museum.
Park Guell is such a lovely green space with a variety of plants on either side of its walkways – like this one on the way to the Laundry Room Portico.
There are all kinds of flowers, shrubs and trees to see.
The park also attracts a few feathered visitors.
Gaudi was a fan of creating trencadis which is a mosaic made up with broken tile pieces. It’s a feature that is prominent throughout Park Guell.
Gaudi also created features that blend into the natural surroundings – like this curved seating area.
Located on a hillside is Casa Trias which was the only other house that was lived in during Guell and Gaudi’s time in the park.
Because the park is on different levels, you get good views of the park.
And the city beyond.
Until it’s time to leave by the exit on Carrer d’Olot.
For me, it’s fun to find these smaller details, but Gaudi got me intrigued with the big stuff too!
Sightseeing at Park Guell, Barcelona
If you are a fan of Gaudi, or not, you should visit Park Guell if you go to Barcelona. It (probably) won’t be like anything you’ve seen before.
A collaboration between entrepreneur, Eusebi Guell, and architect, Antoni Gaudi, saw the creation of Park Guell in 1900. Gaudi wanted Park Guell to be a private estate for rich families, but out of the 60 plots available only 1 was bought, so that idea was abandoned. Guell and Gaudi both lived in the park during the early 20th century and it was opened as a public park in 1926 (www.parkguell.barcelona/en).
Park Guell is a lovely green space, situated on a hill which means it has different levels, and it also has outstanding views over Barcelona and the sea.
I walked from the city to Park Guell and the first thing I saw was the entrance and 2 interesting looking buildings which form the Porter’s Lodge. I think they look like they belong in a fantastical land. Their roofs are mosaiked with ceramic tiles – you’ll see a lot of that in the park.
From the porter’s lodge, you will see the Dragon Stairway.
On either side of the stairway, two tiled walls curve outwards. They are topped with decoratively tiled parapets with a grotto under the one on the right-hand side.
Moving up the stairway, there is a bed of green plants with the stairs on either side.
Further up, another of Gaudi’s creations in the form of a snake’s head bursting forth from the Catalan flag.
Then, a colourful dragon (El Drac), beautifully decorated with trencadis tiles which are a typical Gaudi feature.
At the top of the stairway is the impressive Hypostyle Room with its Doric columns supporting the ceiling.
There are beautiful mosaics on the ceiling.
And, you can sit on a mosaiked bench which runs around the roof for views across the park and city.
The roof of the Hypostyle Room also forms part of the Greek Theatre area.
Gaudi planned for this area to be used for open-air shows but, these days, it’s a good spot to rest for a few minutes. (Parkguell.Barcelona/en).
The bench goes all the way around this open space. Gaudi used a curved design, so it would compliment the natural setting of the park.
The Laundry Room Portico is a fine example of Gaudi’s architecture – the stone work on the columns was cleverly designed to resemble tree trunks.
To connect the different areas of the park, there is a system of roadways, paths and viaducts, again created in a way to mingle man-made structures with natural forms.
Last, but not least, are the Austria Gardens, so named because the different varieties of plants, shrubs and trees were donated from Austria in 1977 (Official website for Park Guell).
I am happy I spent the day wandering around Park Guell – it’s not that big, but it is a true sight to see.
Things to see in Barcelona
Barcelona is a fabulous city to explore. While you might be drawn to the more famous attractions – think Gaudi and La Rambla – there are plenty of other things to see. But, keep your eyes peeled, if you’re not necessarily seeking other things out, you might miss them – and that would be a shame!
As I explored this lovely city, I found these interesting statues and sculptures.
Along the road from my hotel is the Fountain of Catalan Genius (Font del Geni Català ) dedicated to Francisco Bernaldo de Quirós y Mariño de Lobera, three times Captain General of Catalonia, for having brought the waters of the Moncada mountain range to the city (Wikipedia).
In Parc de la Cuitadella, you’ll see the monument of General Prim – a Spanish general and statesman – (BarcelonaLowDown).
Along Passeig de Sant Joan, I came across this memorial to LluÃs Companys, president of Catalonia in 1934 and during the Spanish Civil War. The lady is his friend, Conxita Julià .
Keep walking and you will come across Placa de Tetuan and the monument to doctor and politician – Bartomeu Robert Yarzábal (Doctor Robert) (BarcelonaLowDown).
Further along Passeig de Sant Joan, you will come to Pla̤a de Moss̬n and the monument of Jacint Verdaguer Рa 19th century Catalan / Spanish writer, regarded as one of the greatest poets of Catalan literature (Wikipedia).
In the Gothic Quarter, these two interesting metal sculptures caught my eye.
Head to Placa de Catalunya to see the Franscesc Macia monument – Franscesc Macia was a Spanish politician from Catalonia who served as the 122nd president of the Generalitat of Catalonia, and formerly an officer in the Spanish Army (Wikipedia).
Some of the statues here were erected as part of the 1929 Barcelona International Exposition.
Before you even get to the end of La Rambla, you will see the monument to Christopher Columbus. It was constructed for the Exposición Universal de Barcelona (1888) to commemorate Columbus’ first voyage to the Americas (Wikipedia).
Last but not least, I saw this seafaring statue at Port Vell. It’s a monument to sportspeople of the sea by Joaquim Ros i Sabaté which depicts a yacht at sea (BarcelonaLowDown).
My walk pretty much took me in a circle back to my hotel, but just go where your feet take you and see what you find!
I had a grand day exploring all that Barcelona has to offer and there is more to come! Peace and love to all 🙂
Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter
As you enter Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter (Barri Gotic), you may wonder whether you will be able to find your way out. There are many narrow alleyways twisting this way and that, the only thing to do is just wander!
As you walk, make sure you look all around you and upwards in case you miss anything – the buildings are stunning and there is a mix of old and new everywhere.
Next to the BasÃlica de Santa Maria del Pi, on Placa de Sant Josep Oriol, a lively craft market was underway.
And here is the basÃlica in all her glory.
The Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar stands proud and has been since the 14th century.
People are making a beeline for the centre of the Gothic Quarter and pass the Chapel of Santa Agata on the way.
Arguably the main attraction is the Cathedral of Barcelona.
I don’t very often enter any of the buildings I seek out, but I know the inside of a cathedral is home to lots of paintings so, for once, I walked towards the door. I had chosen a day when there was a service going on, so no tourists were allowed in, but I made out I wasn’t one and the guy could see I was alone, so he let me in. Unfortunately, no photos were allowed, but trust me, the cathedral itself was stunningly beautiful and the paintings just added to its beauty.
Next, to Placa del Rei, a lovely medieval square. The steps are, allegedly, where Christopher Columbus met King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella after he came back from his first exploration.
Despite Barcelona being a busy city, there are still pockets that are less crowded.
And lovely little plazas to stop and rest a while.
I loved Barcelona and I loved exploring the Barri Gotic. I can’t wait to go back.