Modernist Wall Adornment, Sant Pau Hospital, Barcelona

This elaborate modernist wall adornment can be found on one of the pavilions of old Sant Pau hospital.

If you've never been there check Sant Pau's exact location on Google Map and go visit the place. It is just one subway stop away from Sagrada Familia taking the blue line. You can even get to this modernist complex on foot if you walk all the way up along Avinguda Gaudi from Sagrada Familia.

I wonder what that symbol in the center of the image means. I have read that the monumental lettering as well as part of the mosaic and sculptures make reference to the story of the holy cross and the name of the Hospital's benefactor, banker Pau Gil Serra, who donated the land. So I think this could be a G in the picture but I am not quite sure.

Modernist Sculpture inside Sant Pau Hospital, Barcelona

This is another image taken inside Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau built by Domenech i Montaner.

You can see here a detail of one of the sculptures by Eusebi Arnau and Pau Gargallo.

Notice the sober angular cuts which evoke those in the sculptural groups by Josep Maria Subirachs in the Passion façade (Sagrada Familia)

Mosaic at Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona

The Saint Paul hospital (Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau) was projected by Domenech i Montaner in 1901 and the mosaics in particular were designed by Francesc Labarta.

I have written several posts talking about Sant Pau Hospital's history so I think you'd better check the labels below.

The following post was one of the most popular: Modernisme in Hospital de Sant Pau

Barcelona Vintage Rotary Dial Telephone

Do you remember this? Just like an iphone isn't it? Well, they were here not too long ago and yet our kids start wondering what that piece of junk was meant for. I still remember when I had to stick my finger on the rotary dial of one of these vintage telephones and wait till it turned back. Now they are retro collectibles to amuse your visitors. Antique phones still look beautiful though, especially those Western Electrical 51AL Candlestick telephones. But why don't you check the Antique Telephone History Website for more information and some images.

Feeding a Snake: Mesmerizing the Prey

Look at me in the eye or watch the spiral swirl, whatever you choose, but keep looking, do not blink, don't twitch a muscle. Stay calm, stay focus, take a deep breath and keep watching. I am moving to you slowly, very slowly... gulp. Poor snake, in fact it was the mouse performing the hypnotizer. Again one of the many animals kept in captivity in Barcelona, the snake I mean. The mouse was just the food, and alive. Sometimes they are preserved frozen and served dead of course. Yes, people keep them in the fridge. I wonder what she prefers.

10 Reasons to Take Guided Bike Tours in Barcelona

I spotted this group of people on a guided bike tour around the city of Barcelona. In Sant Jaume square the tour guide was explaining something to them before getting lost in the labyrinthic structure of Barri Gotic streets like carrer del Bisbe which can be seen in the background. Normally there are set meeting points to go and join. 

10 Reasons to Take a Guided Bike Tour in Barcelona

Barcelona is a city that's best explored on two wheels. The city's narrow streets and winding alleyways are perfect for biking, and there's no better way to see all the city's top sights than on a guided bike tour.

Here are 10 reasons why you should take a guided bike tour in Barcelona:

1. See more of the city. On a guided bike tour, you'll get to see all the major sights, as well as some hidden gems that you might not find on your own.
2. Learn about the city's history and culture. Your guide will be able to tell you all about the city's history and culture, from its Roman roots to its modern day status as a cultural capital.
3. Get some exercise. Biking is a great way to get some exercise and see the city at the same time.
4. Meet new people. On a guided bike tour, you'll meet other people from all over the world who are also interested in exploring Barcelona.
5. Have fun! Biking is a fun way to get around, and on a guided bike tour, you'll have a great time exploring the city with your guide and fellow travelers.
6. See the city from a different perspective. When you're on a bike, you get to see the city from a different perspective. You'll be able to see things that you might not see if you were walking or taking a bus.
7. Get up close to the city's landmarks. On a bike, you can get up close to the city's landmarks. You'll be able to see the Sagrada Familia, the Picasso Museum, and the Gothic Quarter in a way that you wouldn't be able to if you were walking or taking a bus.
8. Explore the city's hidden gems. Your guide will be able to take you to some of the city's hidden gems. You'll get to see places that most tourists don't know about.
9. Learn about the city's sustainability efforts. Barcelona is a very sustainable city, and your guide will be able to tell you about the city's efforts to reduce its carbon footprint.
10. Make memories that will last a lifetime. A guided bike tour in Barcelona is a great way to make memories that will last a lifetime. You'll have a great time exploring the city with your guide and fellow travelers, and you'll learn a lot about the city's history, culture, and sustainability efforts.

I hope this blog post has convinced you to take a guided bike tour in Barcelona. It's a great way to see the city, learn about its history and culture, and have some fun.

If you're interested in taking a guided bike tour in Barcelona, be sure to check out these tours. You won't be disappointed!

• Barcelona City Bike Tour: Highlights and Hidden Gems
• Take a Gràcia Bike Tour
• Barcelona: Bike Tour, Photoshoot, and Tapas

And a Happy New Year

Happy New Year everyone.

Bethlehem Scenes Stall

Just another holy scene I found in my archives about Santa Llucia market. My posting has been delayed for many circumstances. I will update after I take more pictures. I needed some rest. Thanks for your understanding. Anyway I am happy, the blog is getting some more buzz lately so it was rewarding at the end of the year. Thanks to people like you of course.

Street Lamp, Portal del Angel, Barcelona

And now for something completely different, a modernist lamp at Portal del Angel, a very important street in Barcelona, near Plaza de Catalunya. Perfectly preserved, the lamp can be admired from a close distance since it is almost at street level. Other elaborate art nouveau lamps were shown here in the past: Art Nouveau Lamps.

Santa Llucia Market Holy Scenes, Barcelona

I am not used to making my own Belén, that is, to buy holy figures to recreate Bethlehem Nativity Scene. But I do enjoy watching those religious items displayed inside Christmas stalls set during Fira de Santa Llucia each year in Barcelona. Check similar posts: Holy Scenes.

Caganers inside Christmas Stall at Santa Llucia Market, Barcelona

Some important personalities detached from their normal spheres, shown in private, in the middle of such an embarrassing act: pooping. For more information check previous post: Barcelona caganers.

Cagatios at Santa Llucia Market, Barcelona

On top of the roof of one of those Christmas stalls at Santa Llucia market, I spotted some Cagatiós. For more information about what they are check previous post: Cagatio or Pooping Log.

Moon Lady, The Winged Goddess of Barri Gotic

There she was, sitting on a waning moon, the pale winged goddess, staring at me trapped behind the window of that Barri Gotic religious items store. For a moment her eyes seemed to glitter with life, begging me to please take her somewhere else. I don't know if she was the Greek, Selene or Chang'e, the mythical Chinese goddess. I don't know. She looked pretty real though, balancing in there, among a strange mixture of esoteric articles and images of saints. Should anyone see her again, do me a favor, set her free! Religious Items: Estampería San José - Carrer Boters, 7-9

Ladybird with Mistletoe, Christmas Present at Santa Llucia Market

This would be my humble postcard to wish a Merry Christmas to all my faithful visitors. I wish you all have a very nice month of December and a happy new year. I hope these ladybirds with mistletoe found at famous Santa Llucia market bring you all the luck this coming 2009.

Water Spouts, Portal del Angel, Barcelona

Water spouts near Pignatelli Palace at Portal del Angel, Barcelona. On the tap, you can see the city coat of arms. There many in the city but these in particular I find extremely attractive. Check the place on my Google map. Here are two other previous posts showing spouts: Old Lady and Fountain and Boy Holding Frog.

A Baby's Frown

I still don't know why babies make faces so often, wearing a frown like elderly people. At least that's how we interpret such gesture in Spain. We call it La Viejita (old lady). How do you call it when kids frown and they have all these wrinkles on their faces? Here is a very funny video of what they can do, although in this case the frown is somehow different to the one I meant.

Palamos Anchovies, A Catalan Delicacy

Palamós is a town on Costa Brava. It belongs to Girona, another Catalan province. Palamos is well known for its prawns but another delicacy that they are very proud of is their anchovies. Although presented in different ways, it is better to buy them bottled in brine. For me these are second best to L'Escala's famous anchovies also on the same coast. I found this wonderful article that explains every detail about this wonderful Catalan product: Anchovies from Spain. I hope this food article helps to grow an appetite. I have to say that the picture was taken in a local market in Barcelona.

Anonymous Tree

A tree is just a tree so there is not much I can say this time. I could talk all about the things that happened under this tree but never mind. Under its shade we just had lunch last fall so, big deal. There's nothing like the slumbering feeling that a good shade provokes specially when the sun is coming through the leaves. Hmm I need a hammock.

Jack Skellington's Visit to Las Ramblas, The Full Report

Jack Skellington from Tim Burton's The Nightmare before Christmas was seen on Las Ramblas the other day trying to go incognito without success. Hordes of fans immediately spotted him, then came the press and photographers to cover the story. I was lucky to be there. After rejecting some important media by pulling his head off and throwing it at them he insisted on meeting locals. That was when I entered the scene. He confessed that he was bored of Halloween Town and had decided to share the Christmas spirit with us here in Barcelona. After that, I tried to contact Santa on many occasions to give him the big news but every attempt was in vain. I just picked up this message from the answering machine: "I am out for my December holidays please leave your message...". It's funny, I swear I could hear a stifled voice, something, like: shh,erg,grrm...tk...rrr...d...ol...ph...ins...td. I hope I transcribed it correctly. But then again, it was problably a bad connection.

Kid Feeding Pigeons at Placa Catalunya, Barcelona

While there's a happy kid on Earth, there will be hope. Nothing is more pure and sacred than a child's innocence. Nothing is more beautiful than a child's detached view of the world around him, free of all evil, ambition, prejudice and hate, wrong teachings and bad influence. The face of this kid reveals many things, things we once lived unknowingly, things we can have no more. We won't bring them back but we can work to guarantee that this happiness, the flame that moves this world, the joy of life forever lasts.