Barcelona--day 3&4, 3/10--3/11/11

Raptor on La Rambla

Casa Batllo

Casa Batllo front window

Barcelona is an architect enthusiast's dream.  Seeing Gaudi's work is an extraordinary delight, and today's visit to Casa Batllo (pronounced Baht-YOU) didn't disappoint.  It opened at 9 am, and we were there at 8:45, so first in line and into the 5 story mansion practically alone.  What a unique and utterly fantastic home for the Batllo family!  Five stories of curves, vortexes, waves, and arches; Gaudi based his designs on nature which has no straight lines, he believed.  The windows were both clear and stained glass, patterned with circles like bubbles rising from the sea.  The walls were pale colored with very fine lines that reminded visitors of fish scales.  The ceilings were swirls reminiscent of water flowing on sand or eddys in a river.  The audio guide reported that during this time Jules Verne's book 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea was very popular and influenced Gaudi, turning his attention to that of the ocean's realm.  The house was almost like a live creature itself with arches that looked like the inside of a fish.  The tiles in the lightwell (that really was an enormous 5 story skylight, providing light in the center areas of the home), were various shades of blue like the house was under water.  In all his creations, Gaudi took special interest in every detail, even to the door knobs, handrails, and furniture contained within.  The roof had a special effect--that of a dragon sitting on top of the gable, the blue and green tiles forming the ridge on its back.   What a magnificent home!

Casa Batllo light well

Casa Batllo roof line

The plan to visit as much of Barcelona as possible meant we had to pace ourselves, so we pushed hard to see what we could in the morning and lessen our  in the afternoon.  This afternoon we decided we would just wander La Rambla, a famous street with lots of stores and restaurants on each side.  On one side of the street is a very large market filled with all kinds of food:  meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, prepared food, cheeses, and candies.  Down the center is a very wide walkway with many, many people walking and others providing entertainment.  There were several people dressed up as monsters, dragons, flamenco dancers, an angel, a raptor, and everything imaginable.  It was quite an amazing sight. 

Casa Mila

Our final day in Barcelona meant we had to choose among many sights to see.  We decided we'd like to see Casa Mila, another of Gaudi's masterpieces.  This was built as an apartment building with all the details in it that Casa Batllo has.  We also saw Esglesia de Santa Maria del Mar and the Picasso Museum, walked the waterfront and had some more fabulous food.  Tomorrow it's off to Mallorca.