Without a doubt, today was the most ideal day that we've had, weather-wise. I struck out on my own for a dose of bliss for my aesthetic senses while Erica and Maryann took the kids out adventuring. Below are a few of my favorite shots from two of Gaudi's masterpieces: Casa Batllo & Palau Guell, two residences designed for wealthy clients and their families. They both appealed to me for many reasons: they're stunning, highly ergonometric, simple yet whimsical, colorful and they borrow themes and structure from biology, which is a recurring theme of Gaudi's. On another note, Gaudi is credited with being a proponent of sustainability well before his time, with recycling of materials from older buildings as an integral part of his style.
Casa Batllo: Living room light fixture and ceiling.
Casa Batllo: Rib-like parabolic arches and inviting spaces. Who wouldn't want to live here?
Casa Batllo: Tiled roofline.
Casa Batllo: Playful windows and color, looking through textured glass.
Casa Batllo: Window in the light well.
Palau Guell: Parabolic arch overload in the incredible main hall.
Palau Guell: Chimneys over the city skyline.
After a few miles of hoofing it through the city I managed to find the final destination of my touring today in the gothic quarter: Santa Maria del Mar, a lovely classic Spanish gothic church that was built in the 14th century. It was worth the effort, as it lives up to its reputation as the most beautiful classic church in the city. A far cry from the neo-gothic Sagrada Familia only a mile away, it shares many architectural elements of the old cathedrals we visited in France but with Spanish style and flair. It was certainly a gift to have the opportunity to enjoy several minutes of peace sitting and absorbing the grandeur. Metro home, red wine, cooked dinner and waited for the rest of the crew to get home.
-N
The rest of us went back to the labyrinth park and enjoyed the beautiful weather, the eucalyptus and olive trees and a wooded hike that felt and smelled like California or Greece. Before returning home, we stopped back at Parc Guell to show my mom Gaudi's outdoor wonders. - E
And what a great day it was! Alternating "kid" and adult activities keeps everyone happy.
ReplyDeleteGrammy