This beautiful rusty door knocker I captured at Torrelles de Llobregat near Barcelona although it could have been in Barcelona city perfectly as here we have many. The knocker represents some kind of mythological being perhaps. What do you make of it? I think I kind of like old door knockers and maybe I collect them in the future, the images of course. I remember a couple of posts in Barcelona Photoblog that you should check too: Vandalized Door Knocker or Modern Art? and Knocker on Chocolate Color Door at El Raval Quarter, Barcelona. Or maybe you prefer a list of famous door knockers.
Barcelona photos: Daily photographs of Barcelona, Spain. Pictures of a modern city with travel tips in a personal photoblog. A photography and travel site. Art, architecture, people and traditions. Travel to Barcelona through my camera, know more about our city and towns nearby. Welcome!
Wanna be featured?
June 10, 2008
Rusty Door Knocker in Torrelles de Llobregat , Barcelona, Spain
This beautiful rusty door knocker I captured at Torrelles de Llobregat near Barcelona although it could have been in Barcelona city perfectly as here we have many. The knocker represents some kind of mythological being perhaps. What do you make of it? I think I kind of like old door knockers and maybe I collect them in the future, the images of course. I remember a couple of posts in Barcelona Photoblog that you should check too: Vandalized Door Knocker or Modern Art? and Knocker on Chocolate Color Door at El Raval Quarter, Barcelona. Or maybe you prefer a list of famous door knockers.
June 09, 2008
Bobbin Lace or Encaje de Bolillos, Torrelles de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
This is a picture I took in Torrelles de Llobregat. You can see here in detail how bobbin lace, known in Spanish as encaje de bolillos, is made.
First you need a pattern or parchment where holes are pricked to mark the place for all the pins. The parchment is always laid on a pillow or cushion. The lace is worked with each hand holding at least a pair of bobbins, the wooden elongated spools or shuttles hanging from the threads, which are moved from side to side to form a twist, a braid, or a clothlike fabric called toile. The motifs are worked in a more dense stitch, and the ground is made with a looser stitch.
Bobbin lace originated in Flanders in the early 16th century although some say it came from Italy. From Flanders it extended to the rest of Europe. It was used for ruffs and collars back then.
In Spain it was customary to teach girls how to work bobbin lace at school and at home as it was considered an essential part of a woman's education.
Check this video about bobbin lace. It is short and not too illustrative but it has a brief explanation in English that might help.
Labels:
bobbin lace,
lace,
traditions
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Torrelles de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
June 08, 2008
Maracatu Percussion Band, Festa de la Cirera, Torrella de Llobregat, Barcelona
June 07, 2008
Cherry Festival (Festa de la Cirera), Torrelles de Llobregat, Barcelona
With these cherries I would like to introduce you to the Festa de la Cirera (cherry festival and market) celebrated in Torrella de Llobregat this weekend. This small town from Xth c. is only some kilometers away from Barcelona city. In fact Torrelles is a municipality in the Baix Llobregat comarque on the right bank of Llobregat river (one of the two rivers surrounding Barcelona). I have some more pictures which I'll show you in coming posts. Check Torrelles de Llobregat on Google maps.
The annual cherry festival at Torrelles de Llobregat holds deep historical significance in the Catalan region. Dating back centuries, the tradition was born out of the area's fertile soil and ideal climate for cultivating cherries. Catalan cherry orchards have long been renowned for their exceptional quality and distinctive taste.
Over time, the festival has evolved into a cherished cultural event, serving as a platform to honor the centuries-old cherry-growing heritage. It has become a symbol of community pride, where locals come together to celebrate their agricultural traditions and pay homage to the land that sustains them.
The festival's roots can be traced to the age-old practice of organizing fairs to showcase the region's bountiful harvest. Torrelles de Llobregat, with its picturesque countryside dotted with cherry trees, became the perfect setting to host this annual gathering.
Through the centuries, the festival has witnessed the evolution of cherry cultivation techniques, the introduction of new varieties, and the advancement of cherry-related industries. Today, it stands as a testament to the resilience and passion of Catalan cherry growers who have preserved this cultural heritage through generations.
The annual cherry festival not only offers a delightful gastronomic experience but also serves as a living history book, reminding us of the traditions, skills, and dedication that have shaped Catalonia's renowned cherry industry.
June 06, 2008
Gerbera Daisy Close-up
This is what was left of a gerbera daisy or at least that's how I figure it is called. Some time ago I posted a similar picture and I was kindly given the right name. I think it was Heather who did it. Thanks again. If I am in a mistake today blame me! Of course my posts are not about taxonomy but beauty, my concept of beauty. Sometimes I am lucky to match yours and more than often I fail. That's the wonderful thing. The world would be very boring otherwise.
June 05, 2008
Barcelona Trees: Horse Chestnut or Conker Flowers
Aesculus hippocastanum or common horse chestnut can be seen in some parks of Barcelona so I thought you might like the image of its flowers. These I shot in Bellaterra in early spring. I suppose it must have yielded the characteristic spiny conkers by now. From the seeds of this tree a substance called saponin aescin is extracted and used for health purposes like treating varicose veins, edema, sprains. This constituent strengthens the blood vessels and prevents thrombosis. It has haemolytic properties and is recommended as an astringent and circulatory tonic. The extracts from horse chestnut are used to treat cellulitis. So you see, the beautiful tree and its flowers are not just an adornment. Talking about adornment. Did you know that the leaves of horse chestnut trees are a common pattern in art nouveau architecture? Well, follow this fantastic link and you'll find out more about the use of nature in the Art Nouveau decoration.
June 04, 2008
Centric Point Hostel: Passeig de Gracia 33, Barcelona, Spain
Not too long ago, I uploaded three pictures about hotels in Barcelona. I suggested they could be right although it was not an affirmation. After some thought I reckon that talking only about hotels wouldn't be fair with the hostel business or better yet with young people who want to enjoy Barcelona on a low budget.
I have to confess here that whenever I think of hostels many dark, shabby places come to my mind. Every city has scary hotels, motels or hostels. But you know cliches are not to be taken too seriously. The other day, I noticed a group of young boys and girls were having a chat on the corner of Passeig de Gracia and Consell de Cent. They had come out of a building with a big sign on the door that read: Centric Point Hostel. In fact this is nothing that calls your attention for more than two seconds. They were all blond, dressing casual and showing off that unmistakable white skin that's bound to be sunburnt the following day or is already as red as a boiling lobster's shell. They didn't look like the average backpacker though, and they seemed to be pretty happy talking there. All of that made me muse a little: "Hey, this hostel in the middle of Passeig de Gracia looks like a hotel!". On one of the balconies with some towels drying up in the sun (something unthinkable in this part of the city) I saw a girl leaning and looking towards the modernist buildings nearby and I realized how privileged she was of having such great view of the most frequented and elegant street of Barcelona. The cherry on top was that the building is modernist too and has been recently restored. I am sure there are lousy places to stay in Barcelona but this one is definitely not, you would say it's a like 3 star hotel!. So I decided to share a hostel post with you today starting with a good one, of course you definitely have to check other sources too.
Here is a list of places near Centric Point Hostel:
Las Ramblas (5 minutes walking), Catalunya square (3 minutes walking)and many art nouveau (Catalan modernisme) houses such as Gaudi's Casa BatllĂł (50 metres), Casa Amatller (45 metres), Gaudi's Casa MilĂĄ also known as La Pedrera (5 minutes walking) or Casa Lleo Morera (5 metres). I forgot to say that along Passeig de Gracia you have the best shops in town no wonder it is one of the most expensive streets in Barcelona and Spain but you don't need to worry about that too much as it is always easy to find cheaper places to shop around in the area. I also go downtown everyday and never buy an Armani you know.
Maybe you want me to recommend some other hostels so you can compare: Hostels and a map of hostels. Have a nice, cheap and comfortable stay in Barcelona!
June 03, 2008
National Theater of Catalonia
June 02, 2008
A Day at the Races
If you've visited a local fair maybe you are familiar with the usual horse race to fight for a wonderful teddy bear. We went to Port Aventura and I prayed for my daughter not to win the first price. She had never played before so the odds were little. Bulls***, she won an enormous banana, taller than me and we had to hold it all along the park so imagine how funny it should be.
June 01, 2008
Inside the Bubble, Bubblebou Show by Pep Bou
Another picture of the Bubblebou show created by Pep Bou.
This time the artist was inside the bubble blowing out to make the surface transform adopting funny shapes. The place, Port Aventura, the amusement park on the coast of Tarragona, one of the Catalan provinces near Barcelona.
May 31, 2008
Maori Warrior at Port Aventura Amusement Park, Salou, Spain
You know what maybe the tourist in last post was lucky after all. Maybe if you didn't dance dressed like that for the crowd you would receive severe punishment for such great dishonor and you would have to face this. The scary look and the menacing gestures of a maori warrior. Man, imagine landing on the beautiful island a long time ago and being approached by a group of such warriors performing the famous dance. Wow, now I know how it must feel before the rugby match.
May 30, 2008
Maori Girls Dancing With Guest in Port Aventura
This young man saved us all from being randomly chosen by these beautiful maori girls at Port Aventura Amusement Park in Salou, Spain. I mean, who hasn't dreamed of being on a desert island, surrounded by maori girls and all...but that doesn't mean you have to dress like a scarecrow for the joy of the crowd. Tourists!!!
May 29, 2008
Masks, The Mystery of Carnivals
This one has a halo of mystery and fantasy. I chose to leave it pretty dark to concentrate just on the masks. It is not carnival anymore but I forgot to post it when I had to. Never is too late for beauty though. Looking for more? Check more pictures of the Catalan Carnival in Barcelona:
May 28, 2008
Narrow Alley
May 27, 2008
May 26, 2008
Sausage Closeup
May 25, 2008
Small Lake in the Afternoon, Ivars, Lleida
May 24, 2008
Agbar Tower Distant View
May 23, 2008
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Labels
architecture
(164)
modernisme
(81)
gaudi
(74)
art nouveau
(73)
food
(67)
flowers
(63)
street artist
(55)
sculpture
(48)
barri gotic
(39)
las ramblas
(39)
sagrada familia
(33)
dancers
(29)
beach
(28)
amusement park
(27)
port
(27)
human statue
(26)
art
(25)
mosaic
(25)
tibidabo
(25)
guell
(23)
barcelona streets
(22)
sant pau
(22)
tips
(22)
Catalan traditions
(21)
barcelona shop
(21)
market
(21)
montjuic
(21)
gothic quarter
(19)
la boqueria market
(18)
opinion
(18)
carnival
(17)
costa brava
(17)
domenech i montaner
(17)
christmas
(16)
ciutadella
(16)
maremagnum
(16)
folklore
(15)
classic
(14)
balcony
(13)
modernist
(13)
sea
(13)
street art
(13)
barcelona hotels
(12)
catalan art nouveau
(12)
catalan towns
(12)
costumes
(12)
graffiti
(12)
la pedrera
(12)
stained glass
(12)
casa mila
(11)
casa modernista
(11)
door
(11)
fountain
(11)
history
(11)
barcelona market
(10)
ceiling
(10)
la rambla
(10)
barcelona port
(9)
bikes
(9)
chocolate
(9)
crafts
(9)
paper mache
(9)
pedralbes
(9)
port aventura
(9)
vintage
(9)
architects
(8)
cosmocaixa
(8)
harbor
(8)
hotel
(8)
motorbike
(8)
passeig de gracia
(8)
arc de triomf
(7)
classic cars
(7)
dali
(7)
gracia
(4)
palau de la musica
(4)
accommodation
(3)
barcelona bar
(3)
casa batllo
(2)
cheese
(2)
cruises
(2)
gracia quarter
(2)
ham
(2)
wine
(2)
hostel
(1)
parc guell
(1)
picasso
(1)