Last days in Barcelona.

Sagrada Familia.

This temple, designed by Antonio, is pure genius and the most amazing space we have ever been in. Still unfinished after 100 yrs, it is a construction site which attracts millions each year and has to be seen to be believed. Last week we walked there from our apartment but didn't venture inside because the queues were so long. A few days ago we went back thinking they might be shorter but they weren't so we queued for an hour to get in. (A printed e-ticket will by-pass the line-up).

Gaudi's aim was to create an interior space like a forest, filled with dappled light, as though sunlight was pouring through the canopy of a forest. His angled pillars are the trees with branches shooting off to mimic a forest canopy. The stained glass windows provide a dancing quality of light, and the entire cathedral is astonishingly light and very beautiful. We were both amazed.

We took the lift up to the tower and looked at the views from a great height. When the cathedral is finished the central tower, yet to be built, will be half as high again! Glenn, who hates heights, was very uncomfortable being so far above the ground, but bravely faced the challenge anyway.

Although you get the lift up, you have to walk down an incredibly narrow and steep spiral staircase to the bottom. I took this photo from higher up the spiral, looking down on Glenn, and beyond him down the staircase. I felt quite giddy by the time we got to the bottom and ground level.

 

 

Montjuic Parc.

We caught the metro and then the Funicular railway up to this hill on the outskirts of the city which houses some of the city's finest art collections. Barcelona has a simple transport system, as does Paris, and we caught the metro, then the funicular and a bus all on the one ticket. So easy and well signed and cheap! We didn't even have to leave the metro, just changed to another platform for the funicular.

After eating lunch in the small garden alongside, we entered the Fundacio Joan Miro and spent hours there admiring the work of Miro. The gallery is a shrine to the master Surrealist's creativity and held quite a few surprises for me... particularly his huge textile pieces which I was unaware of. The gallery was designed to highlight his work and had excellent descriptions of his artistic development. We both thoroughly enjoyed it. Unfortunately, photography was forbidden except outdoors where there were a few quirky sculptures.

 

 

 

 

Last day we spent packing briefly, eating lunch at the market.. mussels, grilled squid, cold beer, then shoe shopping with great success, followed by delicious tapas for dinner, at our local restaurant.

 

 

Some thoughts on Barcelona.

Lots of smokers who throw lighted butts onto street.

Pavements with decorative tiles.

Cheap metro/bus/funicular railway tickets.

Fabulous shops. Great shoes.

Great tapas

Pavement cafes.

Ambulance sirens

Smiling people

Siesta

Beggars

Bike tours and dedicated bike lanes which are heavily patronized.

 

Some scenes.

Dried lavender in bucket beside Glenn who is writing postcards.

Red curtains for shade on balconies.

Homeless lady sitting on a park bench, surrounded by her possessions.

Now I've got Glenn smelling the roses!

Elegant homes.

Tree loppers using secateurs ( and a small chain saw) to CAREFULLY and selectively prune trees. We could use some of their sensitivity in Tall Timbers Rd.

Street sculpture above and below, a small handmade offering on a lamp post.

 

So sad to be leaving this captivating city. We've loved the history, the Mediterranean, the bohemian bars and the inexpensive beer and wine, the Catalan creativity and the warm and noisy people.