HAPPY MOTHERS DAY to all you mums. Mothers are universal treasures.
Two views of this great building.
We strolled along the scenic Passeig de Gracia from Placa de Catalunya just near our flat, to see some examples of Modernista buildings. One of the most famous is Batllo which is one of the strangest residential buildings in Europe. It was designed by Antonio Gaudi at his "hallucinatory best..The facade, sprinkled with bits of blue, mauve and green tiles and studded with wave-shaped window frames and balconies, rises to an uneven blue-tiled roof with a solitary tower".
The locals call it house of bones or house of the dragon
Last night we went to the Tivoli Theatre to see ABBA. Our seats were front and centre where we had a clear view of the stage in the small, intimate theatre. It was a spectacular performance, an English/Spanish mix with three lead singers with tremendous voices and great dancers. There was a group of late teens in front of us and they thoroughly enjoyed the show. It's amazing how timeless the music is. Towards the end of the performance there was a video tribute to ABBA which was so fitting and generous we thought.
On our wanderings today we came across a colourful demonstration which we gathered was about the Catalan people wanting independence. The police were out in numbers just watching the procedings which were peaceful, if noisy. It was held in the square outside the town Hall and the state government offices, both Gothic buildings with 18th century Neo -Classic facades which were added at a later date. The proposed new flag was laid on the cobblestones and surrounded with separatist supporters and gawking tourists!
Next was the Cathedral of Barcelona. It is richly decorated with gargoyles and intricate stone work and the interior has a broad, soaring space. It was one of the few churches in Barcelona spared by the anarchists in the civil war. The choir stalls in the central nave are exquisitely carved timber. As you walk towards the main altar, a broad staircase leads down to the crypt which I thought was strange. It means the congregation is distanced from the altar by a yawning opening in the floor, maybe a reminder of the transience of life, and an incentive to pray more.
The cloister is a leafy, tranquil place with fountains and a famous flock of thirteen geese.
Across the square from the Cathedral are childlike scribblings on the facade of the Architectural College, which are in fact, a giant contribution by Picasso. The art work from 1962 represents Mediterranean festivals, and was widely ridiculed by the media when it was unveiled.
This museum ( below), has columns from the excavated Roman Forum with corinthian capitals and a section of lintel. It amazes me that we can be walking around a modern 21st. century city and can suddenly find Roman walls, cemeterys, sections of aqueducts and part of the ancient forum.
These tombs were unearthed during excavations for a housing developmental and have been preserved within a residential precinct. We had lunch in the square above them, entertained by this musician.
These talented musicians were playing in a small square near the cathedral and attracted us with their beautiful music so we dallied awhile in the sun and listened to them play. We enjoyed the music so much we bought their CD, Barnakustica "Arbol", and have played it tonight while we had dinner. Great sound... Percussion, guitar, saxophone and voice.
Interesting percussion instruments.
We arrived home, leg-weary after another long day exploring this great city. I had a bit of retail therapy to carry me through and bought great earrings made from recycled material at a local art market.
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