As I write this, I’m on my way to Catalunya for a travel bloggers conference. If conferences don’t interest you, no worries, I’ll say no more about it today. Instead, I wanted to share a masterpiece of the outrageously creative Catalan architect Antonin Gaudi. I adore his structures, his unusual shapes, his vibrant colours, and am quite familiar with his best-known works: Parc Güell, and his unfinished cathedral, Sagrada Familia. This time, I’ll get acquainted with some of his other structures – and tell you all about it, of course. Meanwhile, here’s a long overdue photo story on Parc Güell. Enjoy!
Parc Güell, if you’re not familiar with it, is a most wondrous garden. So wondrous, in fact, UNESCO has deemed it worthy of special protection and placed it on its World Heritage list along with six other works of the famed architect.
Gaudi created Parc Güell in the period 1900 – 1914. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to time travel to, say 1912 for a stroll around here? Parc Güell is the kind of place that invites leaps of imagination…
Whether you’re here in 2012, or in an otherwordly 1912, don’t miss the details.
The mosaic salamander known as el drac, the dragon, might well be the most famous work in the park.
Casa-Museu Gaudi
In the park is Casa-Museu Gaudi, a museum with furniture and other Gaudi-designed objects. It’s worth the EUR 5.5 entrance fee to amble about in the house that was once the home of this creative genius. For 20 years, Gaudi lived with his family in this house – until his heart-breaking and dramatic death in 1926. Gaudi was hit by a tram. He wasn’t too particular about his clothes, so assuming he was a beggar, people left him there unconscious, without coming to his aid. When he was finally brought to hospital, it was too late. He died two days later.
Have you visited Parc Güell? Thoughts on Gaudi?
Parc Güell is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site Works of Antoni Gaudi.
Ohh, I can never really get enough Gaudi. Thanks for the details. They’re lovely.
Thanks 🙂
AH! You going to TBEX eh? So so jealous. I went to TBEX in North America this past June and, while I had tons of fun, TBEX Europe looks SO much better. So bummed I couldn’t make it this year ='(
So! Barcelona… Absolutely love Gaudi’s work. I am a sucker for anything eccentric and architecture, so you mix the two and you get a very giddy Maria ;D beautiful pictures
– Maria Alexandra
the Nomadic Translator
He’s certainly eccentric, isn’t he? Reminds me a bit of Hundertwasser in Vienna, the wavy lines, the organic living spaces… so interesting.
This I would love to see! You’re pictures are quite lovely especially the little details. I’ll miss seeing you in Girona but am looking forward to hearing about your experience at the conference.
I think you’d like this park, Debbie.
Parc Guell was our first stop when we were in Barcelona last year. I really couldn’t get over the place and fell in love with the designs. I also couldn’t get over the crowds on a weekend – it was busier than any place I’ve been to in years.
I was there in September last year, so not in the middle of tourist season. Nice and relatively quiet.
Parc Guell is one of my all-time favorite places. I love your photography…..It’s like strolling down memory lane. 🙂
Thanks, Michael. A very memorable place it is.
Love all the pictures especially the colorful details. We didn’t make it to Barcelona the last time we were in Spain but Parc Güell is at the top of the list. I would love to see all his work. Have a great time at TBEX!
Having lots of fun here, thanks Mary.
Isn’t this park amazing! I couldn’t get over the imagination that Gaudi must have had. Your photos are fabulous- I love the details too. Thanks for another visit! Have fun at TBEX…very envious of everyone going..it sounds like fun!
Taking creativity to a new and bold level.
Great photos, I love the place (^_^)
Thanks, Muza-chan.
I imagine you could spend forever appreciating the various designs and architecture- very beautiful. That second photo you shared was stunning.
I am also hoping you share more about the travel bloggers conference!
Will get back to the conference – and everything surrounding it 🙂
Love Barcelona and Gaudi is growing on me. . .maybe the next time, we will make it to this place thanks to your fabulous photos. Would have loved to have gone to TBEX, but by the time it was announced we had tickets to Italy. . .and frequent flier seats don’t switch real easily. Please do keep us all posted on the events in Girona.
Italy isn’t exactly pain and suffering either, is it…
Beautiful photos – I love the mosaics! I’m hoping to get to Barcelona soon to see more of Gaudi’s work – everytime I see photos of it I want to go more and more. Have a great time at TBEX!!
Lots on offer in Barcelona, Gaudi and heaps more.
very envious of everyone going..it sounds like fun! I love the mosaics!Thanks a lot for sharing this kind of post..
Hope you can make the next conference then 🙂
What a sad story about Gaudi. I love the photos! That’s now the best way to get to appreciate what one can see in Parc Güell, via pictures. It’s so packed full of visitors nowadays.
Actually wasn’t so bad when I was there. Off-season and on a weekday.
Love the close-ups of the mosaics! I would like to go to Barcelona again to see this place – I missed it the first time.
Quick weekend trip from Stavanger, perhaps? 🙂
I visited Parc Guell ages ago and hope to bring my kids there someday. My memories of the place are still so vivid. I felt like I was strolling through a fairytale site. I especially like the Chamber of the Hundred Columns. Thanks for the pictures and the walk down memory lane for me.
This is definitely a place to bring the kids. I’m planning to take mine along next time.
Can’t say I totally understand the appeal of Gaudi. His art is a little too psychedelic for my tastes, but he certainly didn’t approach his work half-heartedly.
One way or another, few seem to be indifferent towards his work.
I love this park, it’s such an interesting place. There’s a sort of round tunnel thing there that we recorded some music in, it’s got great acoustics. You take lovely pictures, by the way.
Such a cool place, and I love your shots of the details of the tile work. I visited it in 1997 but haven’t been back to Barcelona since then even though I’d love to. I just feel a bit sorry for the people who live in Barcelona that they can’t really enjoy the park because it’s so crowded with tourists.
Great tour…one of my favorite places in the world…
I love Gaudi’s work too; I think it’s hard not to. Just outside Barcelona on the C-32 towards Sitges you’ll also fine ‘Guell Cellar’ by the roadside. It’s one of his less famous works but certainly bares all his trademarks.
Another even lesser known work is his Episcopal Palace in Astorga, Leon which we saw and wrote about.
I visited so many Gaudi sites when I was in Spain, including Parc Guell. They’re all so unique and amazing, and the park is definitely a playground for adults! Hope you have a great time at TBEX!
Wonderful photos, I stayed only one day in Barcelona and didn’t make it to Parc Guell, it will be for sure the first thing I visit when I go back!
Beautiful photos…seeing Gaudi’s work always sparks my imagination..what beautiful colors, materials, and architectural forms he made
Gorgeous photos! I love this park; I always said it reminded me of Super Mario Land. I haven’t been up there in years!
Super Mario Land, that’s a new perspective. My 11-y-o might be tempted now 🙂
I just had lunch with a friend who has come back from Barcelona and was raving about Gaudi. I have spent some lovely time in this park myself and it never fails to amaze me. Thanks for the reminder.