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!
For April, I thought I would share two of my ‘photos of the day’ from morrisophotography. I love taking photos of animals in all their shapes and forms, but photographing smaller creatures has its challenges. For once, these beauties stayed long enough for me to capture them.
The Changing Seasons is a monthly project where bloggers around the world share their thoughts and feelings about the month just gone. We all approach this slightly differently — though generally with an emphasis on the photos we’ve taken during the month.
For many of us, looking back over these photos provides the structure and narrative of our post, so each month is different. Some focus on documenting the changes in a particular project — such as a garden, an art or craft project, or a photographic diary of a familiar landscape.
But in the end, it is your changing season, and you should approach it however works for you.
There are no fixed rules around post length or photo number — just a request that you respect your readers’ time and engagement.
Tag your photos with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so that others can find them.
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.
Views of Barcelona from Park Guell (with the Sagrada Familia on the left)
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.
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).
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).
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).
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.
As you explore the wonderful city of Barcelona, no doubt you will have heard of Parc de la Ciutadella or Citadel Park. If not, you are sure to stumble across it as you wander.
As I was en route back to my hotel after a long day sightseeing, I only skirted the outskirts of this lovely park, but I liked what I saw and when I get back to Barcelona, I will take more time to explore it.
The wide promenade of Passeig de LluÃs Companys is where the Superior Court of Justice of Catalonia is located.
At the north-western end of the promenade, you’ll find the Arc de Triomf – a spectacular archway which was the main access to the 1888 Barcelona World Fair. The words Barcelona rep les nacions (“Barcelona welcomes the nations”) is sculpted on the top (Wikipedia).
There are other impressive buildings (if you like that sort of thing) such as the castle-shaped Castle of the Three Dragons, built for use as an exhibition space for the 1888 World Fair (Wikipedia).
The Changing Seasons is a monthly project where bloggers around the world share their thoughts and feelings about the month just gone. We all approach this slightly differently — though generally with an emphasis on the photos we’ve taken during the month.
For many of us, looking back over these photos provides the structure and narrative of our post, so each month is different. Some focus on documenting the changes in a particular project — such as a garden, an art or craft project, or a photographic diary of a familiar landscape.
But in the end, it is your changing season, and you should approach it however works for you.
There are no fixed rules around post length or photo number — just a request that you respect your readers’ time and engagement.
Tag your photos with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so that others can find them.
The Changing Seasons is a monthly project where bloggers around the world share their thoughts and feelings about the month just gone. We all approach this slightly differently — though generally with an emphasis on the photos we’ve taken during the month.
For many of us, looking back over these photos provides the structure and narrative of our post, so each month is different. Some focus on documenting the changes in a particular project — such as a garden, an art or craft project, or a photographic diary of a familiar landscape.
But in the end, it is your changing season, and you should approach it however works for you.
There are no fixed rules around post length or photo number — just a request that you respect your readers’ time and engagement.
Tag your photos with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so that others can find them.
I headed off to Barcelona just in time! It was February 2020 and there was talk of a virus. I wasn’t sure whether I should cancel but, in the end, I decided to go – and I was happy I did! I (we) didn’t know then, that travelling would be banned in the coming months!
I really want to do more exploring in Spain because the few places I have been, I have simply loved. And Barcelona was no exception.
Let’s take a walk around the city.
I stayed in the Hotel del Mar on Pla de Palau, 19, 08003, housed in this beautiful building with its colonnade of columns. It’s a great location too – near the port and the Gothic Quarter.
There are lots of fabulous buildings in Barcelona.
And street art too.
If you walk away from the centre, the streets are almost empty – a pleasant change from the busier areas.
You may see what looks like a familiar building too – this one looks like the Gherkin in London. There is also one in Bangkok.
Head along La Rambla..
..towards Plaça de Catalunya where people stop for a breather or to enjoy each other’s company.
Turn back along La Rambla and browse the Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria or La Boqueria – sadly closed on the day I wandered past.
Or stop for a coffee at Cafe el Magnifico.
Turn off any of the streets from La Rambla and you’ll find lovely little plazas.
Head back onto La Rambla towards Port Vell.
Or, go to the beach for a sundowner cocktail or to feel the sand between your toes.
If you’re like me, you’ll research things you want to see, but you could simply go where your feet take you – it’s a beautiful city to explore.
And, if you have a sharp eye, you’ll see pretty birds in the trees around you!
