10 of the Best Modernist Architectural Buildings in Barcelona That Will Conquer Your Heart

By the end of XIX and beginnings of XX century, a new artistic movement spread throughout Europe that broke with the past and gave priority to craftsmanship and nature motifs over the rigid hierarchical structure of academic art.

Such movement was called different names: Art nouveau, Jugendstil, modern style, stile Liberty and Sezessionstil. In Barcelona, it is known as Modernism.

Barcelona's modernisme, as such is its name in Catalan, drank from the industrial revolution, from the well being of a powerful bourgeoisie, of the new great men, that set eyes in progress, and new ways of expression, of renovation.

Modernism was about to be seen everywhere, from a pharmacy to a street lamp, but it really started in the houses of the rich, those that made their fortunes in the flourishing textile industry or in Cuba, just to mention some examples, those that move from inside the city walls to live in the Eixample, that set of perfect squares or islands, part of the housing project by Ildefons Cerda. 

Many artists participated in this ordeal of creativity, but a group of gifted architects took the leading part in giving birth to such magnificent cultural and historical legacy. 

Today I would like to give you a succinct list of their major works of art. By choosing just some of them, I will certainly be unfair with the rest. 

Here are 10 of the best modernist buildings that you must see in Barcelona:

1 - Park Güell by Antoni Gaudi: The Futuristic Garden

Park Guell

A new century was about to start, the influence of 1888 Universal Exhibition was still present and the city was expanding fast in the wake of Ildefons Cerda's ambitious plan.

Right before 1900, Eusebi Güell, Catalan industrial and politician, who made his fortune in the textile sector, entrusted his friend Gaudi with the design of a housing project that would accommodate well known families in a estate up in the neighboring hills around Barcelona. 

From each of the projected 60 plots, happy owners were going to enjoy a privileged view of the sea and the city in a complex full of religious symbols and in harmony with Catalan traditions.

The ambitious dream never really fructified. In 1914 Count Güell abandoned his project. In 1922, four years after his death, the city town hall buys the property to his heirs and by 1926 it is inaugurated as a beautiful park and garden.

             Lesseps
 

  24, 92  Parc Güell,  116 Olot / Marianao,
  24, 32, H6 CAP Larrard

Read more about Park Güell
 

2 - Palau de la Musica Catalana by Domenech i Montaner,  the Modernista Concert Hall

 

Palau de la Musica

Being second does not mean Palau de la Musica is my second best! In my opinion this is one the most beautiful. In fact, this is only a recommendation of my best ten modernista buildings.

When you approach the Palau (palace), the first thing you notice is that this is too much of an architectural marvel for the streets that surround it and that it is difficult to frame a decent picture due to short distance you have to shoot.

But why did Lluis Domenech i Montaner designed and built this? What was the purpose of a concert hall here?

Well, we have to thank, the board of directors of the Orfeó Català choral society, presided by Joaquim Cabot, a renown jeweler. They bought a small plot of irregular shape at Sant Pere quarter and assigned Montaner with the project. Orfeó Català, founded by Lluís Millet and Amadeu Vives and inspired by the choral works of Catalan composer Josep Anselm Clavé, definitely needed a building after a series of concerts in the 1888 Barcelona Universal Exposition and the growing success of their choir and institution.

The construction lasted only three years!

From 1905 to 1908, and not without difficulties, Montaner, managed to give fantastic solutions to the space and illumination problems inherent to the place.

Did you know that Palau de la Musica's first stone was laid on Sant Jordi's day or that in 1920s, some architects thought of demolishing the building for being too extravagant?

Maybe it was, but if the quest of a new identity by the local bourgeoisie and its explosion of creativity, brought a concert hall like this, then we are very lucky to inherit it and we embrace it in awe.

Visualize a stained glass skylight that weighs a metric ton where you can see angels singing around the sun in the shape of an inverted bell hanging over your head, while you watch your favorite concert performed in a stage full of muses and Wagnerian valkyries.

Look, I would be here depicting for hours what your imagination cannot recreate without watching this beauty yourselves.

Maybe this incredible Palau de la Musica Catalana VR gives you an idea.

Or even better, come to Barcelona and plan your Palau de la Musica visit online or directly at the box office.


               Urquinaona

   V15, V17, 45    Via Laeitana
   39, 42, 55, H16 Plaça Urquinaona.

Read more about Palau de la Musica

3 - Casa Mila or La Pedrera by Antoni Gaudi

 

Casa Mila

The last civil work of Gaudi before completely getting absorbed by his famous cathedral was La Pedrera or Casa Mila, a modernist building that raised a lot of controversy in local newspapers by the time it was finished in 1910.

Pere Mila, who by the way owned La Monumental bull ring, was one of those prosperous businessmen craving for a splendorous house in Passeig de Gracia that represented his social status within the wealthy families of the buoyant Catalan bourgeoisie. He commissioned Antoni Gaudi with the project. By that time, the architect was busy with the restoring works in Casa Batllo. Mila's father and the promoter at the Batllo house, were partners.

Gaudi took too many liberties that displeased Mila and his promoters and although this was meant to be the culmination of his work besides Sagrada Familia, he had to deal with complaints about his expenditures and his way too daring architectural eccentricities.

La Pedrera, catalan word for quarry. was the final popular nickname given to the house inspired in the many blocks of cut stone visible on the façade. A façade whose undulated horizontal lines create the illusion of an animated living organism.



                  Diagonal

  Lines: 7, 22, 24, 39, V15


Read more about Casa Milà

 4 - Casa Batlló

 

Casa Batllo

Josep Batlló, yet another wealthy entrepreneur that wanted to live in the most renown street in L'Eixample de Barcelona and in Ildefons Cerda's plan, bought in 1903 a building that dated from 1877 by architect Emily Sala Cortès, one of Gaudi's teachers at the school of architecture.

By the times Batlló acquired the house, Casa Amatller was way to sumptuous to compete and it happened to be next door, so he put his faith in a very popular artist at that moment, Antoni Gaudi.

Instead of demolishing the rather sober building as suggested by the owner, the architect carried out an extraordinary restoration that was audacious and functional at the same time. The result was brutally attractive and efficient, for generations to admire.


              Passeig de Gracia

  Lines: H10, V15, 7, 22 y 24.

 

         

 Renfe: Passeig de Gracia

 FGC:  Provença 


Read more about Casa Batlló

5 - Casa Amatller

 

Stain Glass Casa Amatller

It is not strange that the house of a chocolatier  like Antoni Amatller i Costa, looks like a chocolate tablet.

This third generation businessman carried on with the traditional manufacturing of the Amatller family founded in 1797, by opening in 1878, a modern brand new chocolate factory with the latest production techniques acquired during his travels in Europe.

The capital amassed  from then on, allowed Mr. Amatller to become an art collector, a prestigious photographer and painter. He was  a visionary that invested in publicity for his products using art nouveau illustrations by the best artists of his times. So well he did that he entered the Passeig de Gracia elite of  proud owners of ostentatious modernista houses.

The house that  we see nowadays is in fact the exquisite refurbishing that Josep Puig i Cadafalch made over an 1875 original building which was rather austere. The famous architect, who inspired most of his followers with this masterpiece, added gothic details to a ridged façade, to this crow-stepped gable with clear Flemish or Nordic architecture influence. 

Casa Amatller inaugurated in 1900 broke with the predominant architectural concepts of Passeig de Gracia and paved the way for new modernist ideas in the years to come. 

The first famous construction of the block was about to start a rivalry of patrons over who was to build the most magnificent house. This fight for commissioning the most opulent casa modernista in one specific block of Passeig de Gracia eventually created L'Illa de la Discòrdia or The Block of Discord.

                Passeig de Gracia

  Lines: H10, V15, 7, 22 y 24.

 

         

 Renfe: Passeig de Gracia

 FGC:  Provença 


Read more about Casa Amatller

6 - Casa Lleo i Morera

 

Casa Lleo i Morera

Declared by the Town Hall, best artistic building of the year in 1905,  Casa Lleo i Morera constitutes an efficient solution by Lluis Domenech i Montaner on the limitations of an irregular estate and an asymmetric façade.

On the corner of Passeig de Gracia and Consell de Cent, you come across one of the most beautiful modernista houses that are part of the Illa de la Discordia or Block of the Discord.

This was also a restoration and a very good one, of course. Domenech i Montaner was one the most popular architects of the moment. Remember that he also built Hospital de Sant Pau, Palau de la Musica Catalana and Casa Fuster among other outstanding works.

In this case, the original building came to the hands of their owners by inheritance. Francesca Morera i Ortiz got it from an uncle that had become rich in America. The presence of nearby Casa Amatller pushed Mrs. Morera to decide that she was not second to none, so in the wake of many other rich members of Catalan bourgeoisie, she summoned Montaner and put him in charge of the renovation.

It happened that the illustrious lady did not survive the house inauguration by one year.

Do not miss this virtual tour of Casa Lleo i Morera!

Only the first floor is open to the public by guided tour only.



                 Passeig de Gracia

  Lines: H10, V15, 7, 22 y 24.

 

         

 Renfe: Passeig de Gracia
 FGC:  Provença 


Read more about Casa Lleó i Morera

7 - Palau del Baro de Quadras

 

Palau Baro de Quadras

The Palau (palace) del Baro de Quadras is yet another good sample of those grandiloquent dreams of the bourgeoisie and the nobility at the beginnings of the XX century.

The aftermath of the industrial revolution, the 1888 Universal Exhibition in Barcelona, the accruing of wealth coming from the textile industry or the fortunes made in Cuba by the indianos, (Spanish emigrants in America) created a breeding ground for this eagerness to excel by spending every dime in artistic expression and where better than your own house to start with. In 1906, Manuel Quadras i Prim, fulfilled such a dream.

The Baron, son of a rich textile businessman, commissioned Josep Puig i Cadafalch to restore a house in Diagonal avenue, one of the main streets conceived by the urban planner Ildefons Cerdà. The estate had been inherited from his father and needed to be refurbished in accordance with the new noble status of his owner.

Cadafalch, who had worked for Quadras in the past, knew well what he had to do to express the desires of his patron. As it happened that there were two façades, one facing Diagonal and the other carrer Roselló, and bearing in mind that the three upper levels were meant to be apartments for rent, the architect designed an opulent entrance of neo-plateresque style for the proprietor in the avenue and a back sober entrance on the other side for the tenants.

The balcony, featuring busts of medieval and Renaissance figures, floral adornments and heraldic symbols and the neo gothic staircase shown in the picture above are a must see.

More information here: Palau Baro de Quadras

                  Diagonal

  Lines: 6, 33, 34, 39, H8, V17


Read more about Palacio del Baro de Quadras

8 - Casa Comalat 

 

Casa Comalat

Unfortunately this precious gem of modernisme is not open to the public but that does not mean it is not worth noting down in your list of must see places for your art nouveau route in Barcelona.

Featuring also two completely different façades, Casa Comalat is beautiful enough to satisfy your curiosity and admiration for architecture.

Although the main side is on 442 Diagonal, it is the 316 Còrsega street façade, shown here in the picture that draws more attention. 

Built between 1906 and 1911 the house is named after his owner Mr. Comalat, a money lender that assigned the project to architect Salvador Valeri i Pupurull. Resources were not a problem so only the best were hired to participate in the construction. Lluis Bru i Salelles was the artisan in charge of the interior decoration and the polychrome ceramic work on the undulated balconies and the roof parapet. The stain glass windows came from the hands of renowned Rigalt i Granell company.


The projecting bay is made of several party walls created with a system of narrow roller-shuttered windows. This is one of the differentiating traits of Casa Comalat with the rest of casas modernistas, the shutters. Also the excess of ornaments makes it unique, as the building is part of late modernisme in Barcelona.

It is a pity that the interior of Casa Comalat is not open to the public.



                  Diagonal

  Lines: 6, 33, 34, H8, V17


Read more about Casa Comalat

9 - Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau

 

Hospital de Sant Pau

The biggest modernist complex on earth, declared world heritage by UNESCO in 1997, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau was not always where it is now.

It all started with an obsolete gothic building in XV and a generous 'handout' from a Catalan living in Paris, an prosperous banker with investments in key industrial sectors. This generous savior was called, Pau Gil i Serra. 

Mr. Gil died in 1892, but his will had been written some years before. It stated that a hospital honoring Sant Pau (St. Paul) should be built in Barcelona using part of his capital but not in any odd place. There was only one condition, it had to be constructed in a place with maximum health conditions. Obviously the gothic building in old Raval quarter did not meet this requirement, so the Hospital accepted to leave the unhealthy premises, took the money from the inheritance and donated land of their own for the occasion.

The project was assigned to the acclaimed architect Lluis Domenech i Montaner who set to design 48 pavilions of which only 27 were finally built, all connected by underground corridors. Seen from above, the modernista compound resembles a giant cross, inclined 45 degrees with respect to the rest of buildings in the Eixample district. 

Please check the top list of things to learn about modernisme in Hospital de Sant Pau

By the way, the recinte modernista of Sant Pau  is very near Sagrada Familia, so in my modest opinion, it would be better to combine them both instead of visiting Sagrada Familia and Park Güell the same day, as it seems to be the general trend with tourists lately. 

                Sant Pau

 Lines:  Carrer Sant Quintí: 192
             Carrer Sant Antoni Maria Claret: H8, 19, 20, 45, 47, 50, 51, 117, N1, N4
             Carrer Cartagena: 192, N0

Read more about Hospital de Sant Pau

10 - La Sagrada Familia Cathedral by Antoni Gaudi

 

Sagrada Familia

And last but in no way least, the cherry on top, the cream of the crop, the opus magnum of Modernism by the master of masters, architect Antoni Gaudi.

This everlasting but never ending project  that Gaudi could not finish as he died accidentally at the age of 73, three days after being hit by a tram, occupied 43 years of his lifetime. Time enough to leave behind a well defined plan to continue in his footsteps and to find the eternal light at the end of his long visionary tunnel. In fact, the basilica is in the final stages of construction and it is estimated to be ready by year 2030.

It all started back in 1872, when Josep Maria Bocabella, a very religious man and librarian, had returned from his trip in Italy and decided that the city needed to devote a temple to La Sagrada Familia. After buying some property in L'Eixample of Cerda, he commissioned architect Francisco de Paula del Villar to work on his idea. There were discrepancies between Villar and Martorell, who was Bocabella's advisor. The result: a young Gaudi is given the new assignment which he turned into the temple of perfection.

The result of his genius, the legacy of a one and only man was about to become a daunting jewel of architecture that should undoubtedly be considered part of the new wonders of the modern world. 

                Sagrada Familia

  Lines:  Mallorca / Marina: 19, 33, 34, 50, 51, H10


Read more about La Sagrada Familia

The purpose of this post is to open your eyes and your heart to the beauty of an art movement called modernisme that took  many liberties  to run away from a rigid past and taught us that there are no limits to human imagination. It would be great if you took a minute to share it. Thanks!

The Essential 4 Things to Do in Barcelona 2017 - Must See Attractions by Barcelona Photoblog

Whether you visit us for many days or are just here on your way to other destinations, there are some must see attractions of Barcelona you wouldn't want to miss!

                 Here are the essential four most visited and beautiful hallmarks of Barcelona

1 - Basilica of La Sagrada Familia by Antoni Gaudi: The pharaonic project

Started in 1882, this ever growing gargantuan project, product of the imagination of a genius of architecture, called Antoni Gaudi, will blast your every sense on every corner.

It doesn't matter which of the three sides of the basilica you contemplate, the Nativity façade to the East, the Passion façade to the West, and the Glory façade to the South, you are bound to be astonished with so much art and so many impossible creations.

Sagrada familia is full of small details, like gorgeous stain glass windows, baroque or modern religious sculptures, gothic spires, surrealist designs, natural adornments here and there, so typical of Catalan Art Nouveau (modernisme), complex architectural concepts and simple and elegant solutions, elaborate metal doors, or even a canopy of lights covering Jesus in a cross hanging from the ceiling.

I could give you figures and concrete data, in fact Barcelona Photoblog has published many posts on Sagrada Familia in the past, but today I just wanted to give you a general idea, the impression that you get.

Remember to plan your visit ahead and get tickets online at www.sagradafamilia.org the official site to avoid the long queues.

Address: La Sagrada Familia
Carrer Mallorca, 401


Metro: Sagrada Familia (Blue Line, L5) and (Purple Line, L2)

2 - Park Güell by Antoni Gaudi, the unsuccessful dream

Park Güell, which is the right name, is frequently misspelled as Parc Güell, Park Guell or even Park Güel! Güell is the last name of a prosperous businessman who commissioned Gaudi to work on a very advanced concept, creating a new housing development in a mountain near the city, with many lots for luxury houses.

Although both Count Eusebi Güell and Antoni Gaudi got to live there to give the project a little push, the whole thing failed and thus it ended up being what it is today, a municipal garden. Oh, but what a garden it is!

Imagine a garden that you can enter from a lower level or a higher level, furnished with a vast sandy mirador enclosed by amazing serpentine benches from which you can admire the city, imagine that such mirador is on top of a hundred columns under which you can listen to music played by improvised artists, imagine getting lost under inclined archways that resemble coral formations or the very gardens of Babylon.

You cannot leave Barcelona without visiting this place so get your tickets to Park Güell  and climb up there!

Metro stop "Lesseps" or "Vallcarca" (Green Line, L3).

Check Park Güell on Google Maps

3 - Tibidabo Amusement Park, the Lookout Tower 

Maybe you will leave Barcelona without climbing to the highest point from where to appreciate her intense beauty.

Well, shame on you if you do! Especially if you came with your kids, your incredible friends or your beloved couple.

Entrance is not very cheap, but it is worth the price, at least once.

Tibidabo Amusement Park, carrying more than a hundred years of history on its back, the second oldest in Europe, was the project of a pharmaceutical businessman named Salvador Andreu. Well, in fact he just wanted to make houses up there and so his company inaugurated a road to the mountain which paved the way to luxurious houses, new trendy spots to watch the city, a tram, a cable car and a great variety of prequels to the final park, like the magic mirrors, fortune teller machines, shooting galleries, etc.

And so it goes that today, more than 25 rides, like the impressive 1921 Talaia lookout tower from which you can have an even higher view of Barcelona, make Tibidabo Amusement Park a wonderful must-see spot especially on a bright and sunny day. Find more Barcelona Photoblog posts on Tibidabo

Bus: Tibibus special bus service from Plaça Catalunya square

Train: Take (Brown Line, L7) from Plaza de Catalunya Subway then Tram then Cable Car

Get directions

4 - The Santa Maria de Montserrat Monastery: A Pilgrimage to La Moreneta virgin

The monastery or abbey of Montserrat, in the mountain by the same name, is a sanctuary devoted to La Moreneta virgin or Virgen de Montserrat, venerated in the shape of a dark colored  wooden icon which is preserved in an altar of gold, and one of the two patrons of the city of Barcelona together with Sant Jordi.

So what better than making your own pilgrimage to the very heart of Barcelona's most sacred roots, to the most essential thing to do in Barcelona if you are a real fan. Go and get blessed by touching the relic or simply spend an unforgettable day at the incredible mountain range of Montserrat with its unique ragged silhouette. Witness the same landscape that benedictine monks saw back in the 10th century when they founded Santa Maria de Montserrat.

Tip: It is much more fun to take the cable car to get there!

Buy train tickets at Plaça Espanya in front of Line R5 to Manresa 

(2 options: With cable car or with Cremallera Funicular. Train stops at base of the mountain. Different train stops according to choice taken)

We Are All Barcelona, We Are All Las Ramblas

August 17th 2017 has been a sad date for Barcelona because of the savage terrorist attack occurred in the most visited street of our beautiful city. We do not want to remember Las Ramblas as an empty place but as the happy, busy, and free walk it has ever been and will be. No one is going to come here and try to threaten us with cowardly acts. I do not want to show mourning, that is what they want. Let us all remember this day and the ones that are not here today. Let them all be in our hearts forever. We are all Barcelona.

The Bright Lights of Barcelona at Night

Barcelona is a beautiful city deep within the heart of Catalonia, and is steeped in cultural heritage, endless amounts of stunning architecture and sandy beaches that soak up the beaming sun. Moreover, the exquisite food destinations dotted around the area, the globally renowned Gran Teatre del Liceu opera house and FC Barcelona’s Camp Nou football stadium are all things you should experience. Now, the vast majority of those who visit Barcelona take in all of its breath-taking features during the day when the city is bustling and vivacious; very few are actually aware of what the region has to offer when the sun goes down and the bright lights start to appear.

All of these aspects can really rack up some travel time and waste valuable time throughout your day, so look into some cheap car hire so you can get around Barcelona quickly and easily. However, if you want to get around in style, you could also utilize a luxury car rental. Anyway, within this article we’re going to look at the top 3 things to do when it gets dark so that you can enjoy your stay both in the day and at night…

Take in some amazing views

There are many ways to experience the wonderful sunset views that Barcelona has to offer; from finding a high vantage point to travelling a little further afield, the views will never let you down. So, one of the ways is to schedule a night cruise, which will allow you to view the brilliant sunset views on the Mediterranean Sea whilst sitting back and relaxing. Alternatively, you could take advantage of a luxury car hire and travel out from downtown Barcelona to the Tibidabo Mountain; here you can have a cocktail at one of the premium bars or have dinner at a top class restaurant, alongside receiving incredible panoramic views across the glistening Barcelona skyline.

Stand in awe at the prestigious fountain

Built in 1929 by Catalonian architect Carles Buigas, the Magic Fountain of Montjuic is really something you must witness during your stay in Barcelona…it truly is a masterpiece. Every night the attraction puts on a magnificent performance including lights, music, motion and colour every half an hour, so wait till the sun goes down, and take in the display of the fountain for free. It is worth bearing in mind that as it is so special and it doesn’t cost a thing, crowds may be a bit on the large side, so aim to get there early in the night or get a great vantage point on the bridge.

Take a visit to a centuries old church

If you’re looking for an educated thrill, the Basilica of Santa Maria del Pi is a medieval gothic church in the middle of the Barcelona Old Town. Here, you will learn all about Gothicism in the region throughout the years, its intriguing history and you’ll see, smell and feel things that would never be possible in the day time. In addition, you’ll be granted the spectacular opportunity to climb up to the church’s bell tower, and as it is one of the tallest pieces of architecture in the Old Town, you’ll be able to get a terrific view of the thriving city beneath you.

What to visit in Catalonia: Besalu Medieval Town and Bridge

A bridge with a lot of history, with several reconstructions and an uncertain origin, back in the XI century, Besalu bridge is definitely a great representative of the beauty of medieval towns and their architecture in general.

The town of Besalu, 31 kms away from Girona, is a must see if you ever decide to visit the countryside in Catalonia, which is not only Barcelona of course. There are many incredible spots to admire, and this medieval village should be in your top ten list.

Woman Covered With Flowers at Barcelona Cathedral

With this woman literally covered with flowers near Barcelona Cathedral I start my holidays 2017. Let the coming month of August be happy and amusing to many, to those fortunate enough to have some rest from the monotony of a day job. To those who don't, let these days be joyous too. This summer is being terribly hot in Barcelona so I hope this lady gets compensated somehow for her tremendous effort under the sun.

PS: I am trying to revamp the blog. It is taking more time than I thought. A great amount of pictures were hosted in Photobucket.com, a company whose malpractice has ruined the work of many bloggers who trusted them, including myself. I will never choose Photobucket again, you have my word on that!

Rainy Day at Hotel Casa Fuster

Hotel Casa Fuster in Barcelona, works night and day, come rain or shine, to guarantee more than just the simple satisfaction of its clients. No wonder it is a 5 star, Grand Luxe Monument, member of the Leading Hotels of the World. In spite of that, the weather does not help sometimes, and employees have to make an extra effort to make guests feel at home. The picture is taken with a cellphone. 

Casa Fuster was finished in 1911 by architect Lluis Domenech i Montaner, whose works also include, Hospital de Sant Pau and Palau de la Música. This door, was the entrance to the carriages in the house of Mr. Mariano Fuster i Fuster, an illustrious businessman from Mallorca, who gave this house as a wedding present to his wife

Tattoo Boom in Barcelona

I do not know when it started but tattoos, at least beautiful tattoos, are growing exponentially in the city of Barcelona as well as the shops offering this service, of course. I cannot go technical here I am afraid, being a total ignorant in these matters. Some I love, some I hate. I guess it is the blend of the artist with the person that carries them, what makes it a perfect result.

On one of my walking tours around the narrow streets of the Gothic quarter I spotted a couple of subjects to illustrate my point. The moment is what I am most interested in when it comes to street photography so I let you judge about the quality of the artists and the adequacy of the carriers.

Here is an article I found useful if you want directions and advice about tattoos: Where to get a tattoo or a piercing in Barcelona

 

Looking For Photography Inspiration Then Here Is Where To Find It

Taking pictures, having a love for photography or simply using it as a hobby is a wonderful experience to have. It enables you to capture memories, feelings and even specific thoughts during snapshots of time. However, sometimes it can be hard to find the inspiration to take the pictures and take your camera out. Just like writers can struggle with writer's block, photographers can still feel a similar mental block on the inspiratory side of things. I thought I would share with you some of the ways you can find it again.

It’s all around you

Let’s be honest, you shouldn’t really have to step too far from your place to find some form of inspiration. It can be anywhere. You may find it in nature, in the countryside. The weather could cause a flash of inspiration or even head into the city. Try and look at normal aspects of life. The daily commute, people walking, the quiet of the country and open spaces of fields and hills. Look at them from a different point of view and spot the beauty in everyday things and ways of life. Doing this simple trick can often spark some form of inspiration to get those creative juices flowing once more. 

It’s in the things you love

Sometimes you can find the inspiration in the things you love. It might be a particular room in your home that you enjoy spending time in, the way the light enters into a space or hits your garden at a certain time of the day. It could even be in the hobbies you enjoy to do besides photography, the food you cook, the books you read. Take some time out to enjoy the other things you love in your life, and you may find your inspiration returning sooner than you thought. 

You might find it online

Often heading to websites like Pinterest can be enough to ignite some inspiration. But if you are still trying to find a new direction or creativity then why not check out some popular photography blogs like my own. Websites like FujiUser, or similar, who share not just photographs, but their thoughts and ramblings alongside them. Some blogs and sites share tips and platforms like Instagram share daily photo challenges. Sometimes these things are enough to get you snapping away again.

Just keep snapping

Sometimes you just need to snap away and see what comes out after a session. What you thought might not have inspired you at the time, could have turned into a pretty epic photo.

It’s with the people you care about

Finally, we have discussed finding inspiration in the things you love and the places you like to be, but too often you just need to spend time with the people you love and care about to find some inspiration. Take pictures of your children or loved ones, observe them and see what makes them happy or smile. Even just spending time away from the camera and with your family can inspire you moving forward.

Trasmediterranea Ferries: Juan J Sister

Trasmediterranea ferry, Juan J Sister, maneuvers in the vicinity of Grand Marina Hotel (WTC Barcelona), in Barcelona harbor. The picture is taken from Montjuic mountain, a wonderful spot you should visit to really appreciate the beauty of the city. 

This company with a hundred years of history, operates a wide variety of routes in the Mediterranean sea. Since June 2017, Juan J Sister covers the route from Mahon harbor in Menorca to Barcelona. 

Juan J Sister ship characteristics and on board services

Montserrat Aerial Cable Car or Aeri, the Door to a Magic Journey

Opened in 1930, Montserrat aerial cable car or Aeri as it is called in Catalan, has long been one of the main attractions when it comes to visiting the impressive mountain range of Montserrat and its world famous monastery. Its secure structure has withstood the test of time including some damages during the Spanish Civil War.

At about 50 kms distance from Barcelona (an hour by car or 1 h 44 min by train from Plaça Espanya), the Aeri, will be the best start to a magic journey to the heart of the holy mountain that keeps the iconic figure of La Mare de Deu de Montserrat.

You can buy tickets online at Aeri de Montserrat official site.

Mercat of Sant Antoni: Restored Market to Open in 2018

After 8 years of work, the remodeled Mercat de Sant Antoni is expected to be open to the public during the first months of 2018. With an important investment made by its own market stand owners and the local government, around 60 million EUR all in all, another jewel in the history of Barcelona, will be recovered in all its splendor. Do not expect it to be just like La Boqueria or at least that is the intention of the project that seems very concerned with the avalanche of tourists in Las Ramblas.

The addition of more space, including two new squares plus the inclusion of a small museum (an archeological excavation site has unveiled part of the old city walls and Via Augusta) promise to make this 135 old market something more important than just a collection of stands. There will be 4 underground floors, two for parking lots, 1 for storage and 1 for commercial areas.

The origin of the Mercat de Sant Antoni is a remnant of the 13th century Mercat dels Encants, a marginal market outside the walls that was moved to Carrer del Consolat in 1850. In 1882, Rovira i Trias finished building the iron market, and there were almost no houses in its surroundings, the working class neighborhood of El Raval.

Update 02/02/2018: According to several sources the restored Mercat de Sant Antoni will be opened by the end of April or beginnings of May. Local retailers have accepted the proposal of using awnings for the Sunday market and the book market. Such awnings will be located in the areas which were previously the market yards, now regained for public use. Lighter retractable metal canopies in a highly resistant metal structure will be used.

3, 2, 1, Queso!

It may seem like taking a photo is as easy as pressing a button on a camera, but therein lies the difference between a quick snap and art. Anybody can take a picture; children can do it, even a dog could probably do it if you trained it to. It’s not the action that captures the moment, but what the moment in itself is that you are capturing; it’s what you see behind the camera from your own eyes which is often the hardest thing for the camera to be able to interpret. Barcelona has within it everything that you could wish to capture on camera.

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Where To Start

You don’t need a top of the range DSLR to get started - this will probably slow you down and put you off what you’re doing if you don’t understand what all of the different modes are and how they can be utilised within photography. You will need something that is a great example of an entry-level camera, such as a Nikon 3300D. If you bundle up and get a kit which includes the lens that you need to capture different scenes such as portraits and landscapes, you’ll be doing yourself a favour in the long-run as your passion grows (and it will grow fast!). Find some local photography workshops to attend to get yourself to grips with what you’ve got or are going to get. The best tips are learned from the experts, and you can then expand on these to suit you and your own shooting style. Everybody has their own different ways of taking a picture, just as everybody has a different approach to cooking, painting or driving a car; it’s your take on things which will make your photos personal to you. 

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What To Shoot

Barcelona offers some of the best sights and buildings to practise your photography on. Palau de la Musica Catalana, the famous music hall, offers so many astounding and unique shots with natural light flooding through its big, open space. The stained glass windows filter through dapples of colours which in turn reflect off the furniture and decorations within the hall. If you prefer to shoot outside, walk along and take in all of Gaudi’s fantastic architecture which adorns the city. The free movement of the lines of his buildings is unlike anything anywhere else in the world, and with so many angles to aim, there is sure to be a shot within your camera’s memory that you have taken that hasn’t been captured by anyone before. Especially with the continual work of La Sagrada Família expecting to last another 20 years, there is always going to be something new to snap. From buildings you can then move on to people; street art is a fascinating subject, and no more so than on the streets of Barcelona. Be sure to keep it as natural as possible and capture people as they are going about their day-to-day lives. A picture tells a thousand words

Nocturne Carnival Thoughts in Some Barcelona Bar

Carnival in Barcelona or in any other part of the world is not just parading and dancing like a wild animal in costumes. Carnival is an attitude, a change of look, a detachment from the usual you and in a way, a special opportunity to release the inner child that still dwells in there somewhere. This girl wearing strange glasses and big flowers in her hair in the most pure bailaora de flamenco style and with reminiscences of La Martirio, has a cool glamorous something under the mysterious lights of the Carnival night and is indeed a good example of what I meant.

India to Barcelona made easy

A lot of Indians are now traveling to Europe for their holidays, and Spain is one of the top destinations on their list for its beautiful beaches, wonderful architecture and lovely people. No holiday to Spain is complete without visiting Barcelona and Madrid. One of the cheapest options available from India is to book a tour by Yatra using coupons from 7coupons.in

A typical tour is 5-6 days long and currently costs approximately 2000 USD per person. The tours commonly start with a 2 days in Madrid to visit Golden Triangle of Art, Cibeles Palace and Fountain, Royal Palace of Madrid. However people like to spend more time in Barcelona for its rich architecture and beauty.

Barcelona Holidays 2017: Some Good Reasons to Visit Us!

2016 is about to expire, disappear, vanish from our lives forever and ever and we will set eyes on the future that lies ahead like we and all human race have been doing from eons ago. We decide that maybe the next year, always considering the kind of calendar you use, all of our dreams may fulfill. Yearning for a blissful tomorrow is wonderful to shape up your optimism but if you do not take some preliminary steps that pave the way for it to really happen then everything will be as uncertain as the wheel of fortune or some cheap charade.

Not everyone has the same kind of dreams or plans, but traveling to other countries is the best choice to radically clearing up the background images behind your monotonous ordinary life. Barcelona might be the perfect destination awaiting to color your world next year. A city that will never disappoint you, not because I say so and live here, but because of lots of good reviews received daily online and in the streets. It is true that petty theft is alarmingly growing, and so you should take every precaution to see it coming, it is true that we have big crowds of tourists in the downtown area, well, like in Rome, Paris or any other major city, but there are numerous good reasons to 'take the risk':)

Things like the mild Mediterranean weather and the beautiful beaches should shift the balance in our favor

but of course, that is not enough. Our strong point besides the beautiful waterfront, the mountains, the two rivers, the wonderful nightlife, the excellent food, the affordable prices, the kindness of the people, the efficient services of transportation...is architecture. Arts and culture is what we are really good at.

There many ways to explore the richness of Barcelona while you are planning your future visit or once you are already here with us. Travel guides have always been among the best resources that may be useful to you but nothing like a good interactive guide of Barcelona like the one Avis has created to discover the best local hotspots and guarantee that you do not miss a thing, or better said, that you find the real thing.

Perhaps you should take a glimpse at my modest work throughout these years to get a small tapa of our city and then take a fantastic city break by ordering your main course: Barcelona Holidays 2017

Here is a suggestion to start planning your visit: Barcelona holidays 2017 offered by the specialists at Sunmaster

This article has been sponsored by AVIS and Sunmaster