TRAVEL DIARY BARCELONA 1:
After tiring our legs out in Paris for four days, hubby and I opted for a more leisurely pace in Barcelona. Our plan: two key attractions at the most daily, with the rest of the time dedicated to leisurely strolls around the city.
Walked approximately 25 minutes from our hotel to Casa Batllo and saw these (among others) amazing architecture along the way.
Linked to Jo’s Monday Walk
And found some eye catching signages. Haha I bet you George doesn’t even make his own coffee
Our destination was Casa Batlló, a stunning building designed by Antoni Gaudí. It’s considered one of his masterpieces, featuring balconies inspired by sea waves and a flower-covered facade.
The architecture is intricate and complex, making it hard for me, a non-architect, to fully describe its beauty.
Details of the coloured glass design over the entry door
The living room, also known as the Noble Room, apparently got the ideas from nature with a modern approach turning it into a fairytale like house.
Linked to Ludwig’s Monday Window
Windows and staircase going up to the other floors.
This is the central light well that is wider at the top and narrower at the bottom,
and also lighter blue at the bottom becoming darker at the too.
Apartment G with Gaudi’s signature font
Shimmery stairwell and elevator glass continue the ocean theme.
We also had a glimpse of the private residence of the Batllos. First class splendour of the early 20th century.
Even the public toilet looked nice with clean form.
Looking out of the house from the terrace.
Gaudi’s popular trencadis mosaic technique
This decorative wall separates the Casa from neighbouring townhouses.
Ornate Chimneys at the rooftop
The roofs composed of large scales that resembles an animal’s back.
View of the Casa Battló rooftop while having some drinks to relax a bit before exiting.
After the tour, we stopped in the Casa Battló gift shop , which was really a delight .
As we descended using the 8 floor staircase we were treated with this magnificent installation done by Kengo Kuma. He used 164,000 meters of aluminium layered metal chain.
This brought us down to the basement, where we were treated to an immersive experience. At the Gaudi dome we were presented with the pioneering work of Refik Anadol – “In the Mind of Gaudí”
Just a warning, it is quite dizzying. I had to stay put and not move around and sometimes had to close my eyes. Here is one of the videos that I took, hope you can see it.
And one last look at this bucket-list destination ✅
Photos from 13 October 2023
Walked to our next destination La Sagrada Familia but that is for another post.
Fantastic photos, Teresa! You caught every detail. I loved this building to bits but I have no idea how the guy’s mind worked. I could never have dreamed up something like this. Amazing, isn’t it? Thanks for the link, and Merry Christmas!
Well I guess all artists have a bit of wild imagination… making them very creative. It is just amazing and my trip to Barcelona is really for Gaudi. 👍
I already have a Paris walk from you this week, hon, but I’ll include this as I won’t be posting next week.
This is an easy week for me so I have the time to post. My hubby has covid so I am just waiting on him at home haha
No worries. Hope he’s soon well 🤗🩵
Hope so too. Before Christmas.
Wonderful Teresa, thanks for some memories 🙂
It is such a great architecture.
An authentic work of art! Gaudí’s Casa Batlló Casa Batlló is one of the most emblematic buildings of Catalan modernism as well as an authentic symbol of the city of Barcelona, and I was very fortunate to feast my eyes upon it a few years ago while exploring Catalonia. Thanks for sharing, and have a good day 🙂 Aiva xx
Thanks Aiva. Barcelona is really Gaudi’s city… so happy to have experienced it.
Wow. Can’t say I’ve ever seen anything like this. Incredible
Glad you liked it VJ. Happy to share it
I loved the exterior of the Casa Batlló when I saw it but I’m not sure you could visit inside back then (late 1990s) – certainly we didn’t. Thank you for sharing your tour with us, it was great to see all those interior details like the shimmering glass 🙂
We went there in 2016 but didn’t get the chance to go inside. So glad I was able to
do it this time. Thanks Sarah.
A most amazing place. You did a fine job with your photography.
Thanks a lot Ludwig. It was an awesome place.
How on earth did he manage to convey his ideas to the builders? What a genius he was. Perfect photos they convey the beauty.
He is really a genius. Thanks for liking my photos.
Wow, what an amazing place! I thoroughly enjoyed all of your photos, and video, Teresa, thank you for sharing!!
My pleasure to share Lisa. It is definitely a place to see.
Excellent Gaudí architecture photos. You defined the curves very well.
Thanks a lot Rebecca ❤️
Fabulous photos. You captured Gaudi very well.
Thanks glad you liked it!