Barcelona Sculptures: A Stroll in Montjuic

If you are an art lover, specially if you appreciate sculptures go for a stroll in Montjuic. You have several ways of access as it is a mountain and statues are scattered all over the place. Today I show you this skinny man obviously an athlete, under the shadow of a tree near Palau de la Mercè and not very far from Palau Sant Jordi. I like the fragile but agile complexion of the body, almost feline emulating the shape of the spires in the background.

See Sculpture near Palau de la Mercè on a Google Earth Map

Modernism in Barcelona: Hospital de Sant Pau

Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, is a modernist complex designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner (see my April post: Gargoyles).

The access pavilion at the intersection of carrer Sant Antoni Maria Claret and carrer Cartagena is covered with exposed brickwork, and features a tower clock on top.

Inside you can admire the excellent stained glass by Mario Maragliano, a richly wrought staircase and these purple ceilings, that recall Islamic architecture.

From all the amazing things I discovered inside (when I carry my camera I am much more aware of minor details around me) I prefer this precious lamp.

 Try to discover what's on top.

See Hospital de Sant Pau Picture on a Google Earth Map

Sagrada Familia: Longinos and the Sacred Spear

Ask me how I feel now. I had prepared an inspired post about the legend of Longinos the character in my picture and I was using Picasa function called Blog This. After more than an hour of work, I click on publish and there it goes down the drains. Can I swear here? So now I can only "thank" Blogger and Picasa for the big help.

Summary: Cayo Casio Longinos was the soldier who pierced the dead body of Christ with a spear, the sacred spear. His eyesight was impaired but he got cured when splashed by the gushing blood coming out of Jesus wound. Converted to the faith he went on a pilgrimage carrying a metal cup, containing the blood, which is also known as the Holy Grial.

You can see more pictures of the Passion Façade here and some more information in my previous post about the gates of this Sagrada Familia portal.

See the Sagrada Familia Picture on a Google Earth Map

Barcelona Forum: Open Spaces and Modern Design

Strolling around the Barcelona Forum esplanade you immediately recognize the use of modern design and architecture applied to open spaces, oriented to a better functionality and visual stimulation. Notice how almost every object along this walk follows a suggested perspective. Even this bicycle seems to be running faster towards the horizon.

See Barcelona Forum on a Google Earth Map

Heron City Barcelona: Shades and Colors

This curious design caught my attention while visiting Heron City Barcelona, a modern complex combining shops, restaurants, movie theaters, and a tower hotel. Heron City Center is next to a brand new El Corte Inglés (major chain of stores in Spain), to Can Dragó municipal sports center and an old beautiful cemetery (yes, I know it is weird).

See Heron City Barcelona Picture on a Google Earth Map

Hotel Arts: Accommodation in Barcelona

Today I show you Hotel Arts. Built for the Olympics, it is a predominant building in the skyline of Barcelona and the beach area. A combination of luxury, modern design, and functionality gives this five star hotel a high rank in top lists all over the world. Recently you could see Harrison Ford or Mourinyo staying there. It was the place where Ronaldiño lodged when he came to Barcelona. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Arts Barcelona was designed by the notable architecture firm Skidmore Owings and Merrill and it has 44 floors.

General Statistics for Barcelona Tourism year 2005

In 2005 there were 10.931.637 hotel stays, more than 49.235 hotel rooms and 5.052.766 visitors according to official figures.

See Hotel Arts Picture on a Google Earth Map

B from Barcelona

Not very far from the city of Barcelona, near a town called Sant Feliu de Codines and while visiting Cim d'Àligues (the eagles peak) I took the classical kind of picture of bee roaming around flower. The group was listening to a detailed explanation on the habits of birds of prey and I went aside for some macros on the beatiful flowers in the vicinity. By now, you are wondering what this Cim d'Àligues is after all. It is a "center created for the study, breeding, exhibition and free-flight of birds of prey" for educational purposes. A wonderful place that I recommend. Perhaps I´ll show a couple of shots some other day.

See Picture on a Google Earth Map

Barcelona People: Oh Happy Days!

What can be more comforting than watching children play. Just for a little while set aside all your adult prejudice, your daily stress and sulkiness and try to remember where the joy of life really is!. Recall the old days when you were not thinking about the past or the future and all you cared about in this world was to run and laugh, to shout and have some fun. The snapshot was taken at shopping center La Maquinista. There are some distracting elements in the background but kids wouldn´t wait!

Barcelona People: Pride

Today I didn´t feel in the mood for color. I thought a little try at BW would be just fine and what is better than people for this purpose. On the bus from work bored as hell on my half an hour ride, I was playing with my camera and caught the expression of pride in this lady's face. I think I will start taking pictures of people every once in a while, people from Barcelona of all kind. Wish me luck, I'm too shy!

Barcelona Forum Reflections

While walking at the Barcelona Forum building premises I spotted this square reflective light shaft. The chaotic geometric figures that it casts still surprise me. At first, I did not notice the noise caused by the pedestrian protection fence in the image that finally turned out to be an extraordinary reference point to get a much better idea about distorsion. Some more information about this place can be found in my previous post: The Forum Building

See Barcelona Forum on a Google Earth Map

My Own Piece of Sky for Free

This is what I sometimes see from my window. At this time of day everything seems magical and the clouds adopt different shapes perfect for a nice picture. The view is what I call my private piece of sky, but of course you are free to share it with me!

See My Own Piece of Sky for Free on a Google Earth Map

Laberint D'Horta: The Grotto of Echo and Narcissus

According to Greek mythology, Echo, the beautiful nymph condemned by Hera ("You shall still have the last word, but no power to speak first") was in love with Narcissus who shun her. Narcissus was punished to always look at his reflection on a lake and falling in love with himself. Echo eventually went to hide in caves and finally stabbed herself to death and from her blood on the ground a white flower, purple within came out: A Narcissus. Remember to check previous post for more information about Horta Maze and Gardens.

See Laberint D'Horta Picture on a Google Earth Map.

Morning Daisies in Bellaterra

Just some flowers that I caught with my camera while staying at some friends' garden in Bellaterra a growing neighborhood of Cerdanyola del Valles beyond the outskirts of Barcelona city where Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona is.

See Bellaterra on a Google Earth Map

Avinguda Diagonal: Casa Comalat

...and as promised, the second chapter, the main façade of Casa Comalat, not so colorful and much more symmetrical, but a masterpiece of cutting edge architecture. 

Salvador Valeri i Pupurull (1873-1954) was the second generation modernist architect who designed the building. Notice the whimsical frieze, the iron work on balconies and the stone carvings on windows. The sky is a fake, it is really awful to take pictures at noon, specially in an upward shot, this is my only free time but your attention well deserves a briefer lunch.

Catalan Modernisme: Casa Comalat

If you liked yesterday´s butterfly you surely will enjoy watching Casa Comalat, one of the most spectacular houses representing Catalan modernisme built from 1909 to 1911 by Salvador Valeri i Pupurull.

Imagine yourself walking along Avinguda Diagonal near Passeig de Gràcia, you get to number 442, come across a breathtaking building with these elaborate balconies and impossible design windows, you take some good pictures and go around the block for something to drink, let´s say at carrer Còrsega right behind. You wouldn´t believe your eyes, the same Casa Comalat appears again with a completely different look: a polychrome rear façade with wooden modernist balconies and wonderful ceramic work. There you go thirsty again for another half hour!

Check here the main façade or watch my video of Casa Comalat on instagram

See Casa Comalat Picture on a Google Earth Map

Plaça Espanya: Modernist Butterfly at Casa Fajol

Casa Fajol also known as Casa de la Papallona ("butterfly house") is located at carrer Llança just in front of Las Arenas bullring in Plaça Espanya. Built by Josep Graner i Prat in 1912 and named after the big trencadis butterfly on top, it is another great expression of Catalan Modernisme in Barcelona.

Trencadis is a variety of mosaic technique used by Gaudi and his followers during the Art Nouveau period in which broken (trencat in Catalan) painted tiles are layed in a way that differs from traditional mosaic. I would have preferred to take the picture from another angle but the fence surrounding the enormous coliseum at the construction site on my back was a big obstacle. 

See Casa Fajol Picture on a Google Earth Map

Barcelona Mou-te B Campaign: A Giant Step

This high top sneaker is part of the Mou-te B campaign promoted by the Barcelona City Council to encourage the use of public transport, bicycle, or walking through the city. There are other similar campaigns that combine Catalan word Bé and B from Barcelona, like Fem-ho B (let´s do it right) or Recicla B (recycle well). My free translation for Mou-te B would be "move properly". 

The big tennis shoe was first seen at Plaça Universitat and it was supposed to be kept somewhere safe during weekends. Now it seems to stay for good next to Picornell Olympic swimming pools where it is succumbing little by little to vandalism. Hurry up, you don´t have much time to take your picture.

See Mou-te B sneaker Picture on a Google Earth Map

Sant Jordi Patron of Catalonia

Yesterday Barcelona celebrated Saint George's Day (Sant Jordi), patron of Catalonia. It is the day to buy flowers, mainly red roses and books. This year is the 80th anniversary of the Book's Day (1926). Since 1930, it takes place the same day as Sant Jordi. You should know that April 23rd is also the day Shakespeare and Cervantes died in 1616. 

Sant Jordi's Day was declared holiday in the city of Barcelona in 1456. Saint George is also patron of England, Greece, Georgia...so much for the introduction. I have chosen a picture with some beautiful roses you could buy at a stall just in front of the Diputació de Barcelona building (the Barcelona Provincial Council). To have an idea of how many people attended the event check this other picture.

See Diputació de Barcelona on a Google Earth Map

Hunting Scene

When dealing with art you should always have your hunting scene. This sculptural group can be seen near La Caixa building at Avinguda Diagonal. It is located at one side of the entrance to a very small park and although quite sober in appearance I admire the way in which the artist caught the expression of despair of this beautiful deer, standing on its feet at the very moment of giving up to his fatal destiny.

See Picture on a Map

Barcelona Architecture: Casa de les Punxes

Located at the intersection of Avinguda Diagonal and Carrer Roselló rises La Casa de les Punxes (The House of "Spikes") an imponent building also known as Casa Terrades built in 1905 by architect Puig i Cadafach.Medieval in appearance and influenced by Nordic style somehow, it features ellaborate ornaments of stone in windows and doors and an admirable forged iron work on balconies. See details of windows and balconies. It is just some blocks away from Passeig de Gracia, don´t miss it!

See Picture on a Map