The past six months or so there has been a lot on the media about the bid for Catalonia’s independence from Spain, and while we were in Barcelona we saw a lot of evidence of Catalan pride with Catalan flags displayed prominently from balconies and in public places. Although both have their origins in Latin, the Catalan language is different to the Spanish language – Castilian Spanish.
The city is an interesting and vibrant mix of modern, gothic and art nouveau architectural styles and has many fine examples of Modernisme - the Catalan/Art Nouveau movement from around 1878 to 1910. The art nouveau style imitates natural forms, examples of which you can see in carved flower decorations on buildings for instance.
The most ingenious of the art nouveau architects was Antoni Gaudi (1862-1926).
The Basilica was originally a Neo-Gothic church when Gaudi took over the construction in 1883. Gaudi died in 1926 after being knocked down by a tram in the street. At the time of his death only one tower on the Nativity façade had been completed. Gaudi is buried in the crypt. We were told that all his paper plans for the Basilica were destroyed by fire but he had made plaster models of his designs from which the building is now being completed. To date only 8 of the 18 towers have been completed, each topped by Venetian mosaics. Approximately 60 million Euro is collected per year from visitors which goes towards the construction.
Our local guide took us on a walk around Sagrada Familia. Honestly it defies description. To my eyes, there seems to be several different architectural styles perhaps influenced by the eight different architects who have worked on the project. The detail in the design is intricate and it is difficult to take it all in. You could spend hours walking around the outside and still not see it all.
This is the front entrance - the carving style is quite different. This facade with its angular figures was completed between 1986-2000 by artist Joseph Maria Subirachs.
The Nativity Facade has doorways representing Faith, Hope and Charity. Scenes of the Nativity and Christ's childhood contain imagery such as doves, whcih symbolise the congregation. At the time of Gaudi's death only one tower of the facade had been completed.
We would have liked to have gone inside but we were unable to buy tickets at a time that fitted with our schedule. I suggest you book tickets ahead.
We would have liked to have gone inside but we were unable to buy tickets at a time that fitted with our schedule. I suggest you book tickets ahead.
Masses are held at the Basilica. Please refer to the web site for times.
There are many Gaudi designed buildings in Barcelona and I was disappointed that we didn’t have time to visit more. One we did see on our walking tour was Casa Batlló which is the result of a total restoration in 1904 of an old conventional house built in 1877. Note the unusual balconies in the shape of skulls, it is no surprise it was criticised during construction due to its radical design. You can find out more about Gaudi's buildings here - 10 Gaudi buildings
We also drove up to the mountain of Montserrat “Serrated Mountain” to visit Catalonia’s holiest place, the Monastery of Montserrat which sits at 2000 feet above sea level. The earliest record of a chapel here dates back to the 9th Century. The monastery was founded in the 11th century but was destroyed in 1811 when the French attached Catalonia in the War of Independence. Rebuilt in 1844 in Renaissance style, Benedictine monks now live here. The famous 'L'Escolania' boys choir studies at the Monastery.
An integral part of the Montserrat Monastery is the worship of the Black Madonna in the Basilica. Carbon dating estimates that this wooden statue was carved around the 12th century. Historical descriptions indicate that the Madonna has turned black simply by darkening over time, possibly from the smoke of candles. Thousands of pilgrims visit Montserrat every year. The Madonna sits above the altar behind glass. Her wooden orb protrudes for pilgrims to touch.
Interestingly Montserrat is a common name in Spain.
You might like to visit the Montserrat Museum which is an art museum with a wide selection of works dating from the thirteenth century to the present day.
The day we visited thick fog blanked the mountains obliterating our view, but this added to the mystical feel of the Monastery. The views would be spectacular on a clear day.
Montserrat Mountain was officially declared to be a natural park in 1987. There are five walks that commence at the Monastery and the mountain is also popular with bike riders. There is also a funicular railway. Walking back to the bus we stopped along the market stalls where we were able to try some local produce.
Click here to find out more about Montserrat - Montserrat Tourist Guide
The Camino Catilan trail passes through Montserrat to connect with the Camino de Santiago pilgrims trail.
We had our last morning to ourselves in Barcelona before catching our plane to Malta, so we caught a taxi to La Rambla and then wandered through some of the Gothic Quarter (Barri Gotic), before wandering back to our hotel, stopping off for lunch in a tapas bar along the way. It was a perfect way to finish our Spanish tour.
I had been concerned about visiting the famous Las Ramblas as the terror attack on Las Ramblas in August 2017 (Thirteen people died and dozens were injured when a van ploughed into crowds) happened on the day we booked our trip, and we had been warned about pick-pockets. However we enjoyed our stroll along this tree-lined boulevard and had no problems. There are many stalls selling touristy mementos, cafes, and places to sit and people watch. We even saw a stall selling Australian boomerangs ??
The name Las Ramblas comes from the Arabic rambla meaning the dried-up bed of a seasonal river which used to run along here. The Ramblas is actually made up of five sections.
Here are some images from our last day in Barcelona. Unfortunately we didn't have much of a map, and for a little while we followed a group on a walking tour that we came across. Lucky for us they took us into the Gothic Quarter which I wanted to see.
A flower shop selling Australian eucalypt! The Barcelona Cathedral in the Barri Gothic - Gothic Quarter. Begun in 1298 this Gothic cathedral was not completed until the 19th century. An orchestra was tuning up on the front steps, gypsies were touting in the square and a bubble blower was entertaining tourists.
Market stalls and lunch in a tapas bar.
Oh! I almost forgot - the Montjuic musical fountains Built for the 1929 World's Fair they are a treat for everyone! Refer to the link for dates they are playing. Thank you so much for stopping by. I hope you have enjoyed my blog post about my visit to Barcelona. Have you been to Barcelona. Have you any suggestions of places to visit? Perhaps you would like to tell us about it in your comments.
I value your comments and look forward to hearing from you. I will try to visit your blogs in return. Have a wonderful week.
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Hello there! I love reading your comments. If you scroll down to the bottom you can comment too! I would love to hear from you.
Hello there! I love reading your comments. If you scroll down to the bottom you can comment too! I would love to hear from you.
The details on these buildings is astonishing! Thanks for sharing your photos with all of us. It's a sight I've never seen! WOW!
ReplyDeleteI've not been to Barcelona, but it looks like a city filled with plenty of things to see and do. I find Gaudi's architecture unique, but overly busy for my taste.
ReplyDeleteYes the Sagrada Familia architecture was very busy and very difficult to take in. But fabulous to see none the less.
DeleteWonderful! Thanks for taking me on a trip down along memory lane. Barcelona is such a stunning city. Loved your photos of Sagrada Familia - isn't it amazing. When we were there back in 2002, it was having a lot of re-construction work done on it.
ReplyDeleteit's been under construction for over 150 years! Though I guess it might be moving a little quicker now there is mechanical help like cranes.
DeleteYour captures and angles of the Gaudi are stunning - and thank you for adding them to All Seasons this week! It seems this year several bloggers went to the Gaudi:)
ReplyDeleteAppreciate you pointed to the cultural differences in the Catalan region - I only know about it from my son who roomed for a while with a Catalan guy.
Son had a half a year of internship in Barcelona, and his office of a ritzy travel agency happened to be next to the Gaudi - too bad, it was a little too short for us making a trip while he was there.
Thank you for your kind comment about the mountain trails for plein air painting:)
Have a lovely summer week, Jesh~
So much to see and your photos and descriptions are wonderful and informative. I haven't been to Barcelona. In fact, I haven't been to Spain yet. I'd love to go.
ReplyDeleteNow those are cathedrals! The skull balconies are strange!
ReplyDeleteyes they are. I am not sure I would want to have an apartment there!
DeleteI have read something about the Catalan Independence movement, but wasn't even sure where it was in relation to Spain - (my Geography skills are poor to nil)... Barcelona looks to be an amazing city -- a beautiful tour which you led perfectly.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing time you had in Spain, this post about Barcelona is wonderful and I loved reading it all. I've yet to see Gaudi's amazing creation but my sister was there last year and raved about it. Several decades ago I did visit Monserrat, my memories of it have faded so it was good to see it once again through your lens.
ReplyDeleteA fabulous photo tour, thanks so much for sharing it with us at MM this week.
This is an excellent post on Barcelona especially your description of La Sagrada Familia. Did you visit La Pedrera and Guell Park?
ReplyDeletesadly no. On a bus tour our time was limited. We should have stayed a few extra days.
DeleteWow, such amazing structures. Enjoyed seeing your visit through your photo and great information you share.
ReplyDeletePeabea from Peabea Scribbles
Beautiful captures
ReplyDeleteA great post about Barcelona! I visited the city once more last autumn during La Merce week. If you are interested you'll find my posts & photos at Floral Passions under the tag Barcelona.
ReplyDeleteBarcelona is my favorite of Spain's towns. Though I still have so much more to explore. Glad you had a good time. Fantastic photos!
ReplyDeletehttp://travelingbugwiththreeboys-kelleyn.blogspot.com/2018/07/genoa.html
The architecture in Barcelona is extraordinary and you have captured it beautifully. I can imagine your hesitation in visiting Las Ramblas. This is the downside of touring large European cities. We had to have our wits about us always when visiting Rome and Florence last year.
ReplyDeleteThat is some of the most amazing architecture!!
ReplyDeleteI love the feel of the fog in your photos and the vibrancy of Las Ramblas. We've been here a couple of times on one day cruise stops and have spent a couple of nights here as well. . .it is a place that I could always go back to and find something new and wonderful!! Beautiful post.
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful shots of Barcelona. Love the misty shot of Montserrat.
ReplyDeleteOMG - there is so much here, it is hard to decide what to comment on without writing a BOOK! This is the first time I have heard of a basilica that was started many years ago, and yet won't be completed until 2030. Wow. That's one ambitious structure! I also really enjoyed your mosaic of 'everyday scenes' that I assume you captured once you were "set free" from the tour. Terrific insight into the true nature of the city!
ReplyDeleteI loved traveling along with you as I've never been to Barcelona. I've always heard that it's a very interesting and charismatic city - and from your photos, it clearly looks like that's true.
ReplyDeleteI love Barcelona, one of my favourite city. I was there 10 years ago and it is nice to see BRC again throught your eyes (camera). Beautiful collection.
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