Barcelona Photoblog: August 2007

August 31, 2007

Turtle Holding Pillar at Sagrada Familia

One of the pillars holding part of the Nativity Façade where you can appreciate this turtle, one of the many animals that adorn La Sagrada Familia. Remember natural elements such as plants or animals were a leitmotif in Catalan Art Nouveau, especially in the works of Gaudi.

August 30, 2007

A Face-Like Flower

A face-like flower, or at least this is the impression I always get from the distance whenever I come accross with them, is what I have today to bring a colorful note after the dull image in the previous post.

August 29, 2007

Agbar Tower

The Agbar Tower, an office building designed by Jean Nouvel, is the headquarters of an important water supply company in Barcelona by the same name: AGBAR (Aguas de Barcelona). It is also known as the "suppository" and it is inspired on the shape of some monoliths on top of Montserrat mountains some kms away from the city.

August 28, 2007

View From Sagrada Familia Spires

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August 27, 2007

Dr. Robert Foundation in Sant Pau Hospital: Tile

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August 26, 2007

Scale Model By Gaudi

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August 25, 2007

Sant Pau Hospital: Tower

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August 24, 2007

Port of Barcelona

This is a view of Port of Barcelona as seen from Montjuic Castle on top of a nearby promontory.

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August 23, 2007

Montjuic Cannons Facing Barcelona Port

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August 22, 2007

Classic Cars Exhibition: Auto Retro in Barcelona

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August 21, 2007

Classic Cars Gallery in Barcelona

Classic Cars Exhibition in Barcelona [enlarge]

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August 20, 2007

Classic Cars Series: Volkswagen

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August 19, 2007

Classic Cars: Citröen DS

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August 18, 2007

Classic Cars: Citroen DS

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August 17, 2007

Classic Cars Series 2

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August 16, 2007

Classic Cars Series

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August 15, 2007

Classic Cars: Beetle VW in Blue

According to Wikipedia, the Volkswagen Beetle—officially the Volkswagen Type 1, informally in German the Käfer (meaning "beetle"), in parts of the English-speaking world the Bug, and known by many other nicknames in other languages—is a two-door, rear-engine economy car, intended for five occupants (later, Beetles were restricted to four people in some countries), that was manufactured and marketed by German automaker Volkswagen (VW) from 1938 until 2003.

The need for a people's car (Volkswagen in German), its concept and its functional objectives were formulated by the leader of Nazi Germany, Adolf Hitler, who wanted a cheap, simple car to be mass-produced for his country's new road network (Reichsautobahn). Members of the National Socialist party, with an additional dues surcharge, were promised the first production, but the war shifted production to military vehicles instead. Lead engineer Ferdinand Porsche and his team took until 1938 to finalise the design. Béla Barényi is credited with first conceiving the original design for this car in 1925,—notably by Mercedes-Benz, on their website, including his original technical drawing,—five years before Porsche claimed to have done his initial version.

The influence on Porsche's design of other contemporary cars, such as the Tatra V570, and the work of Josef Ganz remains a subject of dispute. The result was the first Volkswagen, and one of the first rear-engined cars since the Brass Era. With 21,529,464 produced, the Beetle is the longest-running and most-manufactured car of a single platform ever made.

Although designed in the 1930s, due to World War II, civilian Beetles only began to be produced in significant numbers by the end of the 1940s. The car was then internally designated the Volkswagen Type 1, and marketed simply as the Volkswagen.

Later models were designated Volkswagen 1200, 1300, 1500, 1302, or 1303, the former three indicating engine displacement, the latter two derived from the model number. The car became widely known in its home country as the Käfer (German for "beetle", cognate with English chafer) and was later marketed under that name in Germany, and as the Volkswagen in other countries. For example, in France it was known as the Coccinelle (French for ladybug).

August 14, 2007

Figure of Saint Holding Child at Park Guell

This photoblog has been updated although images are not accompanied by any text since the last days of July since this blogger is and will be on holidays till September 1st. I hope you understand the lack of information. In the meantime, please feel free to browse my work, be my guest. Next block of pictures coming soon.

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August 13, 2007

Cello Player

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August 12, 2007

Girl on Fountain, Barri Gotic

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August 11, 2007

Park Guell Gardens

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August 10, 2007

Barcelona Walls Remnants

The History of Barcelona's City Walls

Barcelona is a city with a long and rich history, and its city walls are a testament to that. The first walls were built in the 3rd century BC, when Barcelona was a Roman colony. These walls were made of stone and earth, and they surrounded the city for about 2 kilometers.

In the 10th century, the Moors conquered Barcelona, and they built new walls around the city. These walls were made of brick, and they were much larger than the Roman walls. They surrounded the city for about 5 kilometers.

In the 13th century, the Christians reconquered Barcelona, and they began to build new walls. These walls were made of stone, and they were even larger than the Moorish walls. They surrounded the city for about 10 kilometers.

The city walls of Barcelona were used for centuries to protect the city from invaders. However, they began to fall into disrepair in the 18th century.

In the 19th century, the walls were finally demolished, and they were replaced by a ring of boulevards. Today, only a few fragments of the city walls of Barcelona remain. However, these fragments provide a glimpse into the city's rich history.

The Remains of the City Walls

The most significant remains of the city walls of Barcelona are located in the Gothic Quarter. These remains include the Portal del Bisbe, the Portal de Santa Madrona, and the Torre del Rellotge.

The Portal del Bisbe is a gate that was built in the 14th century. It is one of the most impressive examples of Gothic architecture in Barcelona.

The Portal de Santa Madrona is another gate that was built in the 14th century. It is located near the Plaça del Rei, which is the site of the former royal palace of Barcelona.

The Torre del Rellotge is a tower that was built in the 14th century. It is located in the Plaça de Sant Jaume, which is the main square of Barcelona. The tower was originally used as a watchtower, and it now houses a clock.

In addition to these significant remains, there are also a number of other fragments of the city walls of Barcelona scattered throughout the city. These fragments can be found in parks, gardens, and even in some of the city's streets.

The Importance of the City Walls

The city walls of Barcelona were an important part of the city's history. They protected the city from invaders for centuries, and they also helped to define the city's borders. The walls were also a symbol of the city's power and prestige. Today, the remains of the city walls of Barcelona are a reminder of the city's rich history. They are also a popular tourist destination, and they provide a glimpse into the city's past.

August 09, 2007

Girl On MNAC Steps

A hundred years of art at MNAC is something to think about and to inspire your imagination.

MNAC stands for the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya, which translates to the National Art Museum of Catalonia. It is located in Barcelona, Spain, specifically in the Palau Nacional (National Palace) on Montjuïc Hill. MNAC is one of the most important art museums in Catalonia and houses an extensive collection of Catalan visual arts spanning various periods and styles.

The museum's collection covers a wide range of artistic disciplines, including painting, sculpture, photography, drawings, prints, and decorative arts. MNAC focuses primarily on Catalan art but also includes works from other regions of Spain and Europe. The collection encompasses art from the Romanesque period to the mid-20th century, offering visitors a comprehensive overview of Catalan and European artistic traditions.

One of the highlights of the MNAC is its exceptional collection of Romanesque art, considered one of the most important in the world. It features stunning frescoes, altarpieces, and sculptures from churches and monasteries in Catalonia and other regions. The Gothic art section includes notable works such as the exquisite "Descent from the Cross" by Pere Serra and the iconic "Madonna and Child" by Jaume Huguet.

MNAC also showcases Renaissance and Baroque art, including paintings by famous artists like El Greco, Velázquez, and Rubens. The modern art collection features works from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, representing movements such as Modernism and Noucentisme. Notable artists in this section include Santiago Rusiñol, Ramon Casas, and Antoni Gaudí.

Aside from its permanent collection, MNAC hosts temporary exhibitions, educational programs, and cultural events throughout the year. The museum offers visitors a comprehensive and immersive experience, allowing them to explore the rich artistic heritage of Catalonia and beyond.