In August, Tom and I took an absolutely amazing post-Bar Exam trip to Barcelona and the Costa Brava. Although I wanted these photos here for posterity, it was a little heartbreaking revisiting our trip because I miss it so much. Hopefully this will have been the first of many trips to Barcelona, because it's a very special place. And now, dear reader, brace yourself for a lot of mosaic.
Parc Güell
Gaudí designed Parc Güell to be gated community for wealthy Spaniards, but now it is just a really fantastic public space.
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| El Drac fountain at the entrance |
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| Bench mosaic detail |
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| The view out to the sea from the terrace |
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| Gorgeous ceiling in the Chamber of the Hundred Columns |
Gràcia
We made Gràcia our home during our month in Barcelona and loved every minute of it.
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| Clock tower in the Placa de la Vila de Gràcia |
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| A common sight on our balcony |
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| Casa Vincens, one of Gaudí's earlier works in Barcelona |
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| Casa Batlló (my favorite Gaudí exterior) by day. St. George is the patron saint of Catalonia, so there are a lot of dragons in Barcelona. Casa Batlló is made to reflect the legend of St. George slaying the dragon. The roof of the building looks like a dragon's back. It's awesome. |
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| Casa Fuster |
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| Elegant door knocker |
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| Plaza del Sol |
The view from our place at dusk
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| Casa Batlló by night |
Festa Major de Gràcia
Every August, there is a weeklong festival celebrating Gràcia. There is a parade, a street-decorating contest, and live bands playing every night in every plaza and many streets. I can't even make up a better thing than this festival.
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| Giants waiting for the parade |
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| This street (Calle Mozart) won the decorating contest, and deservedly so. |
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| These flowers were all made out of old soda cans. |
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| The parade on the first evening of the festival. |
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| Little did I know when I took this photo that it contained what would become two of my favorite people, Pau and young Martí. Pau became a dear friend and was an excellent guide around Barcelona. |
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| Martí telling a story, probably about dragons. |
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| World famous Castellers of Gràcia |
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| Gràcia giants |
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| Excellent bands. Every night. |
La Sagrada Família
Gaudí's unfinished masterpiece. One day, I would love to see it completed. In the meantime, though, it is still thoroughly impressive.
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| Passion facade |
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| Still unfinished stained glass |
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| Nativity facade |
Barri Gòtic, El Born & Eixample
All around town.
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| The Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia |
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| Mail slot at the old deacon's house |
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| Placa de Catalunya |
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| What remains of the Temple of Augustus from the 1st century BC |
Repurposed Roman ruins at the totally worthwhile Museu d'Historia de la Ciutat
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| Dusk at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia |
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| La Boqueria |
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| Placa de Catalunya |
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| El Born |
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| Santa Maria del Mar |
Casa Milà/ La Pedrera
By this point, you should not be shocked to hear that this is another Gaudí.
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| From the roof, looking down on Travessera de Gràcia |
Montjuïc
Montjuïc is a lush, beautiful hill overlooking Barcelona which houses the Olympic stadium, a castle, several museums, parks, and the "magic fountain", which is a synchronized music/water/light show.
Tom and Pau at the Montjuïc Castle
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| Tom! |
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| Pau! |
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| The Olympic stadium |
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| The Magic Fountains |
Palau de la Música Catalana
We attended a Spanish guitar concert here and it was a highlight of our time in Barcelona. The guitarist was unbelievably good and the venue was astounding. This place is a stunner.
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| The stage |
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| You can't see from this angle, but the center of the skylight actually swoops down like a teardrop. |
Parc de la Ciutadella
Calella de Palafrugell & Llafranc
We capped off our visit to Spain with a week and a half on the Costa Brava. It was the clearest, bluest water I have ever seen.
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The walk to the next village.
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| Night cafe |
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| Calella de Palafrugell at night |
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| A mysterious light from within the wall |
Cap Roig Botanical Gardens
The most beautiful place I've ever been.
Peratallada
A quaint medieval village a few miles from where we were staying in Calella de Palafrugell.
A Kiss on Each Cheek,
A.J.
