Banco Vitalicio: First High-Rise Building in Barcelona

This impressive building at Passeig de Gracia,11 holds the headquarters of Banco Vitalicio de España (Full View), an insurance company of renown prestige. It was built from 1941 to January 1950 on the same place where Palau Marianao was. The building was a project of Lluís Bonet i Garí (1893-1993) one of the architects who, after the Spanish Civil War, continued with the building of the Sagrada Família. With its 17 floors it was one of the first high-rise buildings in Barcelona and a sample of the new prosperous times after the end of the dark postwar period of the 40's.

Seat 600: A Part of Spanish History

Seat 600 is part of Spanish history, a car attached to the memories of thousand of families that couldn't afford to buy expensive brands in the sixties. Although it was a Fiat license, it was built in Spain and the Seat factory was located in Barcelona (now in Martorell, in the outskirts of the city).

El Timbaler del Bruc

El Timbaler del Bruc, a young drummer representing the heroic resistance of Catalan partisans at the region of El Bruc (Anoia) against Napoleon's troops on June 6th and 14th, 1808. The French army had to withdraw, and such deeds are celebrated each year at the Fiesta del Timbaler, where inhabitants of this town impersonate historical characters of both sides in battle scenes. According to the legend the sound of the drum strengthened by the echo of nearby mountains scared the invaders away. This figure is part of an exhibition at History Museum of Catalonia.

Cogwheel at History Museum of Catalonia in Barcelona

As a reminder of Catalan industrial past, you can admire old machinery parts such as this cogwheel at the History Museum of Catalonia in front of Barcelona port.

Catalan Modernisme: Casa Pia Batlló

Casa Pia Batlló taken from Rambla Catalunya. Check previous post for some more information. If you want to know more about Modernisme (not Modernism), feel free to use the new Barcelona Photography search engine (orange rectangle on my sidebar) or the Google box at the bottom.

Modernist Street Lamp at Casa Pia Batlló in Barcelona

This modernist street lamp with an elaborate ironwork can be admired on the façade of Casa Pia Batllò, a house designed by the famous Catalan architect Josep Vilaseca i Casanovas (1848-1910). Built from 1891 to 1896, this modernist building is located at the insection of Gran Via Les Corts and Rambla Catalunya.

Check this Google Earth Image.

Woman Sculpture at History Museum of Catalonia

Woman sculpture at History Museum of Catalonia in Barcelona. As you see I am using my archives as this photoblog is not working full gas due to summer holidays. I am taking note of all those kind comments I have been receiving from old friends and newcomers. By the end of the month I will be visiting you all as usual. Don't think I forget any of you, you are the reason for this place to exist. Have a nice day.

Spanish Civil War's Republican Posters Exhibition

If you happen to be in Barcelona and you like history, particularly the Spanish Civil War history, don't miss this exhibition about Republican posters at the History Museum of Catalonia till Sept. 11th, the Day of the Catalonian Nation, also known as the Diada.

Come and Go

Just some anonymous people walking along Diagonal Ave. in Barcelona. Common, ordinary people on their way to work or just wandering. The picture was taken from the bus and completely at random.

Flower Blend

This day I celebrated my birthday. Yes, I am a Leo, with all the good and the bad traits. Anyway I mean no harm. I picked up these flowers for the occasion.

History Museum of Catalonia: Escalators

Just a photograph taken from the upper floor at the History Museum of Catalonia. The striking red color and the reflections coming from the roof called my attention. Even though the museum has a good restaurant on top and a marvelous view from the balcony over Barcelona port and surrounding terraces, a quiet atmosphere prevails in the interior.

Sunset at Sant Antoni de Vilamajor near Barcelona, Spain

Another sunset image from Sant Antoni de Vilamajor, not very far away from Barcelona city, while staying at some friends' this summer.

Sunset at Sant Antoni de Vilamajor near Barcelona

See you soon. I hope you don't mine me changing the dates. I just thought you could share some of my pictures and at the same time I keep the logical sequence of days in my posting. Thanks for your understanding. Have a nice August.

Rainbow at Sant Antoni de Vilamajor, Barcelona

Taken after my return from Paris. I am leaving for a town in Murcia, Spain and will be back around August 16th.

Aerial Shot of the Pyrenees

Barcelona from the Sky

Barcelona on my way to Paris.

Big Table at L'Illa Diagonal, Barcelona

Chestnut Fruit at Bellaterra, Barcelona

Big Ripe Tomato at Bellaterra

Ripe Tomato at Bellaterra, Barcelona

Juicy ripe tomato. I wonder how much of its smell and taste is lost on the way to the market.