I saved the best for last. Barcelona, the
financial hub, is the most energetic and exciting city of Spain. Its beaches,
artistry, museums, architecture, foods and beverages are all great factors
attracting millions of tourists. Equipped with efficient transportation system,
most places are conveniently reachable.
Every tourist talks about the Picasso and
Gaudi, less on Velazquez, Goya, Miro and others…. Picasso is more famous
worldwide for his abstract paintings. I learned that “Guernica” is his
best-known work piece during this visit. Pablo Picasso had presented his talent
since teenage. His work underwent repeated revolutions as he passed from one
creative phase to another. His early works were good but not exceptionally
outstanding. By mid 1920s, he was dabbling with surrealism, that drove him
becoming one of the world’s greatest artists.
Antoni Gaudi is the most praised
architect. The enormous elegant colourful swirling and twisting designs adorned
with intricate details are indeed supported by thorough complex calculations.
He integrated engineering, creativity and beauty into his designs, inspired by
the nature as he remarked. His strong personal and unique style can’t be copied
elsewhere. The entrance fees to his masterwork is not cheap…
The most visited monument in Barcelona is
undoubtedly the Basilica de la Sagrada Familia. Long long queue of tourists was
waiting patiently to enter this most unusual church. Gaudi dedicated latter
part of his life to construct this church, but unfinished due to accident on
him. It’s not completed yet after 100 years, might be done between 2020s and
2040s. Pope Benedict XVI consecrated the church in late 2010. The beauty of
this building both interior and exterior could hardly be elaborated in details
in writing. Almost every single object is a piece of art. A MUST see!
Park Guell’s landscape was designed by
Gaudi too, attracted swarms of tourists to appreciate his creativity. Palm
leaves, heavily twisted columns, waves… presenting a vision feast.
Platja de la Barceloneta, a beautiful
waterfront with nice beaches. Yachts berthed at Port Olimpic, life was jubilant,
posh restaurants were filled with smart dressed customers. Sceneries within the
adjacent areas were good. Connecting to the jovial La Rambla Street where lots
of restaurants and shopping malls gathered. The flow of crowds seemed never
ceased.
Museo Picasso draws large crowd too. I
didn’t find it really interesting. It collects mostly his early stage paintings,
the highlight is his copy of Valezquez's “Melinas”. Have to admit his works
were imaginative and creative.
Montjuic (Jewish Mountain), the hill
overlooking the city from southwest, is dotted with museums and main group of
1992 Olympic sites. The castle was used as political prison and execution sites
by various governments during the Civil War and Franco thereafter. The
highlight - Museum of Arts of Catalunya is large, housed good collections of
Romanesque, Baroque, modern arts.
Barcelona, would like to be back again someday.
 |
| La Sagrada Familia, long queue waiting to visit this cathedral. |
 |
| La Sagrada Familia, Passion Facade, theme of Christ's last days and death (read in S shape sequence). |
 |
| La Sagrada Familia, still under construction. |
 |
| La Sagrada Familia, the 4x4 cryptogram with numbers add up to 33. |
 |
| La Sagrada Familia, on the floor. |
 |
| La Sagrada Familia, forest of extraordinary angled pillars. |
 |
| La Sagrada Familia, ceiling is also a complex mathematic calculation. |
 |
| La Sagrada Familia, a cross with candle. |
 |
| La Sagrada Familia, elegant spiral staircase to the tower, but close for visit. |
 |
| La Sagrada Familia, windows and Gaudi's trademark twisted grill (fence). |
 |
| La Sagrada Familia, the main nave is open for daily mass. |
 |
| La Sagrada Familia, stained glass windows. |
 |
| La Sagrada Familia, organ. |
 |
| La sagrada familia, lights pierced from the dome, Jesus looks like airborn with parachute. |
 |
| La Sagrada Familia, unceasing tourist crowds. |
 |
| La Sagrada Familia, who is standing there? Mary? |
 |
| La Sagrada Familia, spacious and bright. |
 |
| La Sagrada Familia, Glory Facade completely covered with carvings and sculptures. Difficult to photograph against the sunlight. |
 |
| La Sagrada Familia, workshop. |
 |
| La Sagrada Familia, history. |
 |
| Plaza de Torino, ticket counters. |
 |
| Tower Agbar, a bullet shape building by Jean Nouvel. |
 |
| Tower Agbar, close shot. |
 |
| Parc de la Ciutadella, Cascada. |
 |
| Port Olimpic, packed of yachts. |
 |
| Platja de la Barceloneta. |
 |
| Even the rocks on the pier have a touch of arts. |
 |
| Promenade Moll de la Barceloneta. |
 |
| Marina. |
 |
| Marina. |
 |
| Marina, bench for a rest. |
 |
| Go West! |
 |
| La Ramba, "KualaLumpur" boutique, obviously low cost trading. |
 |
| La Rambla Mercado, colourful candies. |
 |
| La Rambla Mercado, assorted nuts. |
 |
| La Rambla Mercado, scrumptious seafoods. |
 |
| Look at the prices, I bought some from this stall. |
 |
| Borsa de Barcelona, red paint was not an art.... very likely the work of some angry individuals. |
 |
| La Pedrera a.k.a. Casa Mila, work of Gaudi, close to the hostel where I stayed. Entry ticket was expensive, I didn't pay... |
 |
| Casa Batllo, another work of Gaudi, elegantly shaped window frames. Was also expensive, I didn't visit... |
 |
| Casa Batllo, view from outside, the ceiling is swirling. |
 |
| Casa Batllo, day view. |
 |
| Casa Batllo, spinkled with bits of blue, mauve and green tiles. |
 |
| Casa Batllo, the balconies look like the eye mask of Ultraman. |
 |
| Museo d'art Contemporani de Barcelona, didn't excite me. |
 |
| Palau Guell, Gaudi built for industrialist Eusebi Guell 1880s. |
 |
| Palau Guell, simple idea excellent design. |
 |
| La Rambla, the flow never ceased. |
 |
| Plaza Real. |
 |
| Authentic tapas menu. |
 |
| Medievel feel inside the modern city. |
 |
| Park Guell, another tourist hotspot designed by Gaudi. |
 |
| Park Guell. |
 |
| Park Guell, Gaudi was inspired by palm leaf. |
 |
| Park Guell, Gaudi's trademark. |
 |
| Park Guell, Sala Hipostila. |
 |
| Park Guell, apparently this mosaic dragon lizard is the most photographed object. |
 |
| Park Guell, Sala Hipostila. |
 |
Park Guell, wave-like corridor.
|
 |
City view from Park Guell.
|
 |
Park Guell
|
 |
Park Guell, Banc de Trencadis.
|
 |
Park Guell, twisted columns.
|
 |
Park Guell, twisted columns.
|
 |
Montjuic, reflection.
|
 |
Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya (MNAC).
|
 |
City view from Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya (MNAC).
|
 |
Estadi Olimpic de Montjuic, where Barcelona's Olympic was hosted.
|
 |
Estadi Olimpic de Montjuic, long water cascades.
|
 |
Estadi Olimpic de Montjuic, the soccer field.
|
 |
Montjuic.
|
 |
Hostel Lullaby, sitting room. Don't expect much on youth budget accommodation.
|
 |
Slicing jamon, that's the most expensive pcs I bought - eur22 for 100g.
|
 |
Fried pork nose... I was told only after I had consumed all.
|
