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1 & 2 BEDROOM SELF-CATERING
APARTMENTS IN L'EIXAMPLE, BARCELONA
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| L'Eixample (meaning expansion)
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exclusive area of Barcelona city, within easy walking distance of the Plaza
Catalunya, Las Ramblas and the Port. Visit
Casa
Battló (Gaudí's masterpiece) and La Pedrera (Casa
Milá) just up the road, or stroll/bus it to the Gothic
Quarter - not too far away. |
Area Photos:
Gaudi's
Barcelona by Mike McDougall
The native Catalan architect certainly
left his mark on this great city and a visit to Barcelona wouldn't be complete
without taking in some of his greatest works. An architect seemingly without
contemporaries, Gaudi's free-flowing post modern creations were decades
ahead of his time. The world has taken note of Gaudi and this is reflected
in the fact that the properties mentioned below are all UNESCO world heritage
sites.
 La
Pedrera
The real name for this building is
in fact, Casa Mila - La Pedrera is a nickname and means "the quarry" in
Catalan. When Gaudi built this residence between 1905 and 1907 most Catalan's
at the time lambasted the architect for defacing the city's skyline, hence
the derogatory moniker. Today none of these negative connotations remain
and, indeed, city residents view it as one of their proudest landmarks.
Standing on the Passeig de Gracia the building does not contain one single
straight line, instead following a wave-like, organic form. Highlights
include the wild and wonderful wrought iron balconies and the rooftop with
its wonderfully original chimney stacks.
Casa Batllo
Gaudi was commissioned to refurbish
this building by the owner, Josep Batllo. Taking this brief Gaudi embarked
on one of his most daring and easily recognisable designs as he completely
transformed the old building. His radical design showed equal disregard
for the straight line and he added bone-like balconies and used the "trencadis"
technique of using shards of broken tiles to create a shimmering mosaic
of colour on the façade, reminiscent of the nearby ocean (a recurrent
theme in Gaudi's work). All of this combined to lend the building a fluid
quality. The arched roof has been likened to the back of a dragon and some
theorise that the turret and cross, which extend from the roof of the building,
are said to represent the sword of St George, plunged into the back of
the dragon. Casa Batllo is located close to La Pedrera on the Passeig de
Gracia.
 Park
Guell
Gaudi's surreal garden complex is
located in the Gracia district of the city as well. Originally intended
as part of a commercial housing site, the project never came to full fruition
due to the financial downturn in the city. Despite this, Park Guell is
still one of Gaudi's most magical creations and displays his versatility.
Undulating, organic shapes abound, decorated with the colourful "trencadis"
technique - what amazes here is that his designs seem to mould into the
natural topography of the landscape. The most famous part of the Park is
the distinctive main terrace with its long mosaic benches and the sea-serpent
feature, colourfully adorned with shimmering shards of tile. Gaudi's house,
which can be visited within the otherwise free Park for a small cost, exhibits
furniture designed by the great man and is worth checking out if you're
a fan of the enigmatic architect.
Sagrada Familia
Without doubt Gaudi's "magnum opus",
the Sagrada Familia was to be the architect's unfinished masterpiece. Gaudi
took charge of the project in 1885 and continued working on it, even living
on site in his latter years, right up until his death over forty years
later. A massive project to undertake, Gaudi intended it to be a monument
to 20th century architecture with sixteen towers representing the twelve
apostles, the four evangelists, the virgin Mary and Christ; the latter
was due to tower 170 metres above the city. Tragedy struck in 1926 when
Gaudi was run down by a streetcar and killed, halting his work on the project.
A further setback struck in 1936 when a fire caused by Civil War bombings
claimed his notes, designs and models. Today, over 120 years after the
first brick was laid, building continues. The direction that it is to take
has been subject to much debate and controversy but Barcelona, and the
world, hopes that soon we'll be able to see the masterpiece finished. There
could be no better tribute to one of Catalonia's favourite sons.
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About the Author
Mike McDougall has five years experience
working as a travel writer and marketeer. He is currently working to provide
additional content for Babylon-idiomas,
a Spanish language school with an excellent presence in Spain.
This work is covered by a creative
commons license
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