Don't worry, it ain't no song or poem. Did I tell you I love rust and decay...in photography!!! Not that I have many pictures like this. Well I remember an old propeller. When you search for stuff carrying a good coat of rust you may come across the wildest remnants of old machinery, tools or scrap metal. Sometimes you may need to visit some abandoned warehouse or a junkyard in the outskirts but this curious wheel part of what I suppose was some kind of winch to load carts I found in a town near Barcelona.
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!
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January 23, 2009
January 22, 2009
Musing in Las Ramblas de Barcelona
Before I begin I would like to thank a couple of friends for making me muse on my blog and the daily posting affair. They both did in two very different ways which I won't explain here but made me think that daily doesn't mean having to post each and every day of the year but to do it several times a week perhaps. These are their sites: San Francisco Daily Photo by Manuel Guerzoni and Hyde Daily Photo by Gerald England. I am glad they made me came out of my stubborn obsession and in way released me from this sacrifice. I think this will mean better posts as I will have more energy and less ambiguity as to the date on my posts considering I am one month behind schedule and the blog is talking about January 2009 as of now. So I stood like this man leaning on the railing of some parking lot in Las Ramblas and began musing for a while about the future. In fact it only took me an hour to change my mind. Thanks again my friends.
December 19, 2008
Toy Souvenirs, Las Ramblas, Barcelona
Well, the new domain and the updating of backlinks via emails to webmasters is keeping me busy lately. All the old internal links have been automatically reconfigured and the ones on the search engines are leading to www.barcelonaphotoblog.com. It has been hard but I feel much better now. Any help passing on the change of address message is deeply appreciated. Oh yeah, today's image, I almost forgot:
It is a small toy, a souvenir you can buy at stalls in Las Ramblas. I published a very similar image in the past. Here is the old post: Wooden Toys at Las Ramblas Stall
It is a small toy, a souvenir you can buy at stalls in Las Ramblas. I published a very similar image in the past. Here is the old post: Wooden Toys at Las Ramblas Stall
December 18, 2008
Old Man With Walking Stick
I always remember these lines: "life is very short and there's no time for fussing and fighting my friend".
The time will come when we will grow old enough to look back and think of the things we did right or wrong or simply didn't do. Then we will regret many things, that's for sure and we will feel nostalgic about our past and the people we left behind and weren't lucky enough.
Do you know how long will it take to get there?, just a snap of your fingers. Or some milliseconds compared to the history of mankind.
Do you know how many people have faced the same experience, when you get to the end of the line? Many of them are there in our books of history, in our collective mind, just an image in our database, many more not even were worthy of being stored.
They were here and were like you and me and they felt the same and looked into their past just as we do now and their visit to this land was brief too.
How much time did they or will we spend fussing and fighting before it's too late?
The time will come when we will grow old enough to look back and think of the things we did right or wrong or simply didn't do. Then we will regret many things, that's for sure and we will feel nostalgic about our past and the people we left behind and weren't lucky enough.
Do you know how long will it take to get there?, just a snap of your fingers. Or some milliseconds compared to the history of mankind.
Do you know how many people have faced the same experience, when you get to the end of the line? Many of them are there in our books of history, in our collective mind, just an image in our database, many more not even were worthy of being stored.
They were here and were like you and me and they felt the same and looked into their past just as we do now and their visit to this land was brief too.
How much time did they or will we spend fussing and fighting before it's too late?
December 17, 2008
Antiques Market, Barcelona: Virgin
This is a small antiques market that is temporarily set along Portal del Angel street, near El Corte Inglés building. Although there are bigger and more interesting markets selling these articles in Barcelona, some of the objects caught my attention during a recent walk. Remember I showed you a vintage phone, well now you can admire this beautiful image of the virgin whose facial traits and garments evidence the skill and creative talent of the original artist.
December 16, 2008
The Lady in the Hat: Barcelona Photoblog and Some Important News!
Please, change your link to my page (if any) to www.barcelonaphotoblog.com
I know many of you have gone through this before if you are in the blogspot domain. Some others don't. I finally decided to register my new domain and am redirecting everyone that lands on this page towards the new address. If you are here you don't notice any difference of course cause you have been redirected already but for me and the good indexing of this site it is important that you "waste" just a minute of your time and change the old barcelonaphotoblog.blogspot.com to www.barcelonaphotoblog.com
Thanks! I chose the Lady in the Hat here on the metallic window of a cosmetics shop for two reasons: to use a flashy image to call your attention on the change of links and to emphasize that this blog is NOT closed as this shop. It is as happy, as healthy and seductive as the lady in that painting or graffiti.
I want to thank all those who keep coming and I apologize for my not coming here that often lately. I was busy and musing about this domain thing. It is not easy, you see.
If anyone wants to know how to do it I might be of help. What is going to happen with rank, that, I will soon find out but I will do my best so Barcelona Photoblog keeps looking good and has better exposure on the web. Once again, thank you.
I know many of you have gone through this before if you are in the blogspot domain. Some others don't. I finally decided to register my new domain and am redirecting everyone that lands on this page towards the new address. If you are here you don't notice any difference of course cause you have been redirected already but for me and the good indexing of this site it is important that you "waste" just a minute of your time and change the old barcelonaphotoblog.blogspot.com to www.barcelonaphotoblog.com
Thanks! I chose the Lady in the Hat here on the metallic window of a cosmetics shop for two reasons: to use a flashy image to call your attention on the change of links and to emphasize that this blog is NOT closed as this shop. It is as happy, as healthy and seductive as the lady in that painting or graffiti.
I want to thank all those who keep coming and I apologize for my not coming here that often lately. I was busy and musing about this domain thing. It is not easy, you see.
If anyone wants to know how to do it I might be of help. What is going to happen with rank, that, I will soon find out but I will do my best so Barcelona Photoblog keeps looking good and has better exposure on the web. Once again, thank you.
December 15, 2008
Sant Pau Hospital's Gates: Modernist Ironwork
This is a detail of one of the angels and the holy cross on top of Hospital de Sant Pau main gates. I enhanced the rusty surface of the ironwork which was already bathed in the last rays of the afternoon sun. Check this old post where there is another snap of the holy cross.
Now we are going to open the gates of your visit to one of the most renowned works of Domenech i Montaner and a magnificent representative of Catalan Modernisme.
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the modernista complex of Sant Pau.
Here is the:
Now we are going to open the gates of your visit to one of the most renowned works of Domenech i Montaner and a magnificent representative of Catalan Modernisme.
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the modernista complex of Sant Pau.
Here is the:
Top List of Things to Learn about Modernism and Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau
- Tiled Cupola at Modernista complex in Hospital de Sant Pau
- Modernist Wall adornment
- Sant Jordi Killing the Dragon - mosaic
- Gargoyles
- Modernisme in Hospital de Sant Pau, Barcelona
- Clock Tower
- Cross and Pavilion
- Modernist Ceiling
- Modernista Turret
- Ceiling at Hospital de Sant Pau
- Archangel Sculpture by Eusebi Arnau
- A touch of Fresh Air in Architecture
- Musings on Religion with Mosaic in Hospital de Sant Pau
- Dome Casa de Convalescencia
- Stained Glass Window at Casa de Convalescencia
- Modernist Stained Glass in Casa de Convalescencia Dome
Labels:
architecture,
gates,
ironwork,
modernisme,
sant pau
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Carrer de Sant Antoni Maria Claret, 167, 08025 Barcelona, Spain
December 14, 2008
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.
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.
Labels:
adornment,
architecture,
floral adornment,
modernisme,
sant pau
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Carrer de Sant Antoni Maria Claret, 167, 08025 Barcelona, Spain
December 13, 2008
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)
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)
Labels:
eusebi arnau,
modernisme,
sant pau,
sculpture
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Carrer de Sant Antoni Maria Claret, 167, 08025 Barcelona, Spain
December 11, 2008
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
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
Labels:
art nouveau,
domenech i montaner,
modernisme,
mosaic,
sant pau
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Carrer de Sant Antoni Maria Claret, 167, 08025 Barcelona, Spain
December 10, 2008
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.
December 09, 2008
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.
December 08, 2008
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- Get some exercise. Biking is a great way to get some exercise and see the city at the same time.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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!
December 07, 2008
December 06, 2008
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.
December 05, 2008
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.
December 04, 2008
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.
December 03, 2008
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.
December 02, 2008
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.
December 01, 2008
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
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