WOX TRAVEL CONTEST | WEEK 3 - Following the Footsteps of Barcelona's Architectural Treasure
My visit to this vibrant city began with a concert by one of the most recognizable Chilean artists - Anita (Ana) Tijoux. Her music is a blend of hip-hop and Latino, and most of her lyrics are socially engaged. Live, her voice sounds just like it does on record, she's that good. My goal was to hear her live, not so much the city itself, as this is my fourth visit. But since I'm on Steеm, wherever I travel, I take photos, even if I've already been to a place. And I found that Steam encourages me to pay more attention to things that didn't impress me much before.
Here's a link to a piece from her concert. I created a YouTube account so you can watch it. You'll be the first ones)))
Without digressing further, let's move on to Barcelona and its most famous buildings. I'll focus on them because it struck me that photos of the basilica Sagrada Familia are uploaded massively here, while the other buildings, and masterpieces of Gaudí's heritage are missing.
As you can see, work is still ongoing on the Sagrada Familia, with its completion expected in 2026.
Casa Bruno Cuadros
This wonderful and definitely impressive building is located on La Rambla - I would say the pulsating heart of Barcelona. The building, once in the past, used to be a shop for umbrellas.
It combines various architectural elements inspired by other cultures. The balconies and gallery on the upper floor are adorned with Egyptian elements. The exterior walls are adorned with oriental motifs, including intricate woodwork, enameled glass, as well as depictions of people reproduced from Japanese prints.
The dragon on the corner of the building is also very impressive, under which there is also an umbrella - they used to serve as advertising for the umbrella and sail shop, which now houses a bank office. You can't miss this interesting building when you're on La Rambla.
Casa Batllo
Colorful and whimsical architecture, broken forms, completely forgotten straight lines. For this house, Gaudí, according to his followers, drew inspiration from the marine world - windows like turtles, ceilings like fish fins, ceramic cladding like lizard skin...
The house was reconstructed by Gaudí, at the request of the wealthy industrialist Josep Batlló. He restructured the facade and roof, added a floor, and completely transformed the interior.
Casa Amatller
The Casa Amatller is the most complete work of Catalan modernism. Designed by the architect Puig i Cadafalch in 1898, it stands adjacent to the famous Casa Batlló. Its façade has been admired since its inception. While it lacks Gaudí's whimsical forms, it still deserves attention.
Casa Mila/ La Pedrera
Casa Mila, also called La Pedrera, got its nickname because it looks like a big heap of rocks. It's found on the posh street called Passeig de Gracia. People think it's special because it's different from the usual buildings.
Casa Mila stands as the largest residential building designed by Gaudí. Built between 1906 and 1910, it represents his final project before fully devoting himself to the construction of the Sagrada Familia. Wealthy industrialist Pedro Mila i Camps was captivated by Gaudí's expressive Casa Batlló, leading him to commission Gaudí to design a residential block in the "Expansion" district.
The outcome is a building less vibrant in color but even more remarkable in design. Diverging from traditional architecture, Casa Mila eschews straight lines, utilizing columns and arches for support instead of load-bearing walls. This project sparked a sensation in its era, and today La Pedrera stands as one of the top attractions in Barcelona.
Casa Vicens
Casa Vicens is Gaudi's debut architectural project. Erected between 1883 and 1885, it served as a summer residence for the Vicens family. Despite his limited experience at the time, Gaudi's talent shone through in the design.
In 2005, Casa Vicens earned UNESCO World Heritage status. The house is celebrated for its ornate exterior, featuring intricate decorations in the Mudéjar style, a blend of Arabic and Spanish influences.
Notable elements include numerous brick consoles, a distinctive corner tower, and a rich facade adorned with bricks and ceramic tiles.
The Palau de la Musica
The Palau de la Musica concert hall is celebrated as one of the most beautiful venues globally. Its allure enchants visitors, irrespective of their passion for architecture or music. This architectural masterpiece was purpose-built for the Orfeo Catala choir. Designed by Lluis Domenech i Montaner, a key figure in Catalan modernism, it involved collaboration with numerous local artisans who contributed unique elements, sculptures, and ornaments.
Construction spanned from 1905 to 1908. The exterior features red brick walls adorned with ceramic mosaic, complemented by a sculptural group by Miquel Blay.
At the entrance, elaborate floral motifs adorn thick columns supporting two arches. A small window in the central column once served as the ticket booth.
In my previous post, you can read about and explore the most famous market in Barcelona.
I'll continue sharing interesting things I discovered during my last visit in future posts. Enjoy
This post is incredibly informative. I learned so much, and I'm grateful for the knowledge
thanks ; )