Our “free time” in Barcelona the last couple of years has been structured around major highlights, ostensibly because one or another member of our party had not been to Barcelona since early childhood, if at all. In truth, when I am back in a city that I know really well and only have a couple of hours to spare, I myself tend to gravitate to the most popular locations – as a sort of subconscious validation of truly being there again.
So, the small selection of pictures in this post is primarily of sights that already featured on this blog (just type “Barcelona” into the search box). Nonetheless, my love for the Catalan capital dictates that this set has its own blog entry.
Starting with a look along Passeig de Gràcia towards the famous Illa de la Discòrdia, a block of 4 Modernista buildings by 4 different architects that are completely unlike each other.
A closer look at Casa Batlló, designed by the most famous of them all Antoni Gaudí, and its closest neighbor Casa Amatller, designed by Josep Puig i Cadafalch.
A fragment of the wavy explosion of color that is the façade of Casa Batlló.
Casa Amatller is less exuberant but its façade decoration details are quite exquisite.
A fragment of another building on the Block of Discord, Casa Lleó-Morera, designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner whom we know for the magnificent Palace of Catalan Music. Although I prefer not to capture strangers in my photos, here I somewhat unintentionally caught a display of affection that makes the image worth keeping.
Another look at roofline decorations along Passeig de Gràcia.
Intersection of Passeig de Gràcia and Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes. In the background are the orange domes of Cases Antoni Rocamora that I happen to capture with frequency.
The allegorical statue of Barcelona on Plaça de Catalunya, by Frederic Mares. The city is represented as a woman on top of a massive horse, with a ship in her hands a symbol of exploration and trade.
Another angle from Plaça de Catalunya featuring Cases Antoni Rocamora in the background.
And a wider angle of the square.
Enclosed pedestrianized Plaça Reial is another of my favorite spots.
And here is a decidedly not glamorous but still pretty colorful rear-side look at Barcelona buildings. The view is from the side terrace of Palau Güell.
These and other pictures can be found in my Flickr Barcelona album.