Gaudi / His Art, Barcelona

Favorite thing: The colorful Casa Batllo (Batllo House) is an apartment building located at No. 43 Passeig de Gracia in Barcelona. It was totally renovated by Gaudi from 1904 to 1906 on a commission from the textile industrialist Josep Batlla i Casaanovas. Along with two Modernista works, the Casa Amatller by Puig i Cadafalch (1900) and the Casa Lleo Morera by Domenech i Montaner (1905), the Casa Batllo makes up the Mançana de la Discordia (Block of Discord), an allusion to the mythological Judgment of Paris.
One of the architect's most complete works, Casa Batllo reflects an intense yet abstract naturalism. Decorated with polychrome ceramics of both brilliant and subtle colors, it produces an indefinable sensation of lightness in spite of the profusion of forms and motifs. At the first floor level of the undulating facade is a striking stone structure in the form of a loggia (roofed open gallery) supported by columns that frame windows decorated with stained glass. The ceramics and multi-colored glass mosaics of the upper part are interrupted by aggressive iron balconies in the form of masks.
Crowning the whole is a suggestive tile roof over double garrets which evokes the back of a fantastic dragon. Also on the roof is a round tower with a floral dome topped with a four-branched cross, one of Gaudi's favorite motifs, behind which stand the colorful sculpted chimneys with their allusions to sturdy guardians.

Fondest memory: The interior impresses as well. An splendid hall stands at the entrance with winding stairs and attractively designed windows which are cast with changing blue tones according to the graduated colors of the ceramic tiles. The first floor was decorated by Gaudi who created some of his best interior design pieces for it in magnificently built fireplaces, wooden floors, furniture, stained glass, and wrought iron elements.

Favorite thing: great examples of Gaudi's architecture are to be found all over the city

Fondest memory: This building is also called 'la Pedrera' - with a lift you may also go on top of the building to see the wonderful chimneys by Gaudi

Fondest memory: look at this fancy wall and entrance-gate with colored tiles and a very special roof-top.

Gaudi's buildings are always again a surprise and you will see them at so many places, without beeing mentioned in any guidebook.

Favorite thing: This is one of the most famous buildings of Gaudi

Fondest memory: "Casa Mila" is an appartment-building and is also called "the waterfall" by the locals

The adress is : 'Passeig de Gracia 92'
In the centre of Barcelona

Favorite thing: Read something about Gaudi. Because in the entire city you will see his work. And it is nice to know something about it before you are stunned by the beautifull shapes and colors.
Gaudi was an architect who lived from 1852-1926, he designed several buildings and artwoks in Barcelona. Some famous ones being: Sagadra Familia, Parc Guell, Palau Guell, Casa Batlló, La Pedrera

Fondest memory: Park Guell. Like most of Gaudi's work, the Park was not completed until after his death. In the front entrance there is a multicolored lizard, which is between two mosaic staircases. The Park was meant to be a garden city, and was to house the city's elite.

Favorite thing: You could easily spend days and days just contemplating over little details in the architectural richness of the city.
This is a beautiful detail from Gaudís masterwork "La Sagrada Familia" - not heart-formed in it's original setting of course.
The magnificicy of Gaudís facades are challenging and intriguing for the eye, filled with symbolics and hiding layers of secrets.

Favorite thing: Visiting all of Gaudi's works is a must. He is still the most innovative architect in the world.

'La Pedrera' (Gaudi's apartment complex) had a fab art exhibit on Guinovart.
La Sagrada Familia - the great cathedral ... still in progress!!!.
Parc Guell ... the views and the fantasy

... just to name a few.

Fondest memory: First night in Barcelona and I meet Emilie (from London) at Cafe Zurich in Plaza Catalunya. later Tomas a friend of hers joined us and we all went out bar hopping, gathering friends of theirs from all areas. It was wonderful. That is life in Spain, casual encounters that lead to incredible evenings.