A marble turret and "Juliet" balcony at Antoni Gaudi's Casa Batlló on Passeig de Gràcia, Barcelona, Spain. All photos © Tara Bradford. Click images to view detail.
Later this week, my daughter will be traveling to Barcelona and Madrid for the first time. She hopes to visit the usual tourist haunts, including Antoni Gaudi-designed houses (Casa Batlló and Casa Milà or La Pedrera) and of course the work-in-progress UNESCO World Heritage site: La Sagrada Familia; Catedral de Barcelona, etc. I suggested Jordana "look up" at the architectural gems comprising the Barcelona skyline, as well as the artistic attention to detail lavished on many "ordinary" buildings. No doubt she will discover her own hidden gems.
These photographs are from my last trip to Barcelona. A "wedding cake" cupola centers a grand building on Passeig de Gràcia.
A 19th-century zinc decorative weather vane on a grey, cloudy day.
On a sunny day with blue skies, this cupola topped with an eagle and a winged figure caught my attention.
A bird pauses on an ornate post.
Hand-cut stone and a door appliqued with bronze flowers.
A colourful mosaic above an entranceway.
Handcarved flowers enhance a building's exterior.
Similar carved flowers adorn this facade with Art Nouveau balcony grillwork.
Elaborate plaster carving, wrought-iron grillwork and antique azuelos give this building a striking appeal.
Look up, look down, look forward, look back, look up close, look at a distance....... :-)
I thought of you yesterday, as I was in Amsterdam just long enough to change planes on my way home..... :-)
Posted by: Vicki in Michigan | 18 April 2013 at 13:54
Hi Jeanie, thanks, but I'm not going! Jordana is going to Barcelona with a friend.
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 15 April 2013 at 20:35
My two rules: Look Up, and Look Behind! Oh, I'm so glad you and Jordana will have time together -- it sounds like a wonderful trip. Enjoy!
Posted by: jeanie | 15 April 2013 at 20:18
I'm with you, Marilyn! I'm always happy to return to Barcelona.
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 15 April 2013 at 12:27
Helen, thank you! It's hard to take a bad photo in such a beautiful city.
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 15 April 2013 at 12:26
Marja, thank you! I adore Gaudi's work as well. My daughter is really excited about seeing these buildings in person.
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 15 April 2013 at 12:25
Oh so beautiful I especially love Gaudi's work. He is my favourite. I showed his architecture to one of the kids at work and Gaudi is now his favourite as well :)
Posted by: marja | 15 April 2013 at 11:25
Your photos are gorgeous!
Posted by: Helen | 14 April 2013 at 22:40
Beautiful Barcelona. How I would love to return and see more beauty.
Posted by: Marilyn | 14 April 2013 at 15:04