Some artists take generations to have their works completed. Antonin Gaudi, whose art and architecture grace Barcelona, was one of them.
I hadn’t been to Barcelona for twenty-four years. But after spending a week in Spain (Madrid, Alhama), it beckoned. I had heard that there were recent protests against tourists, because it was overrun with crowds. A Spanish friend I met the week before, who lived there, advised me there were only a few people involved in the protests and they weren’t out that often. It should be fine, and it was, crowded but still welcoming.
I stayed near La Rambla, a busy central street closed to traffic, full of pedestrians, outdoor cafes, and open kiosks. On the surrounding streets were a maze of mysterious Medieval streets, old buildings curving around them, and an occasional hidden courtyard. My hotel was tucked into one of those dark winding streets.
On and around La Rambla
Gaudí, a Catalan architect and designer, left his mark on Barcelona with the most unique, imaginative, modern structures I have ever seen. They utilize ceramics, stained glass, wrought iron, and carpentry in flowing lines and streams of light. I was there to revisit his creations, to be awed, to be inspired.
Casa Mila
Casa Batlló
The ornate, detailed church, Sagrada Familia, was only a structure of skeletons when I last saw it. This day, there were just three or four spires left to complete. The sculptures on the outside tell biblical stories and include images of common folk. The inside is bathed in light. The stained glass windows do not have the traditional religious images, but more modern shapes contributed by many contemporary artists.
Sagrada Familia
I didn’t think I’d need tickets to Park Guell—a mistake! When I arrived at the gate, imagine my disappointment to see “Sold Out” signs posted. Small groups of people gathered on the pavement by the entrance. I soon realized they were tour groups getting checked and ready to go in. I approached a few of them to see if I could belatedly join them. At my third try, they sold me a ticket and I could enter.
Park Guell
Some other sights around town
A walk to the beach on the Mediterranean Sea
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Ruth Rosenfeld 
You captured so many beautiful photos from Barcelona, especially the ones with Casa Batlló and Park Güell. It’s a city I only ever visited once, some 25 years ago, yet I still remember the way I was struck by the way sunlight streamed through stained-glass windows, the tree-like columns supporting the vaulted ceiling, and the vast amount of detailed symbolism across Sagarada Familias’ exterior. Thanks for sharing, and have a good day 🙂 Aiva xx
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Thanks for your kind comment, Aiva!
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🥰🥰🥰
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What a fabulous city. Thanks for writing about it. Don’t know if I’ll ever see it in person, but I’d like to.
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My pleasure. I love the travel and taking photos, and the joy of the experience continues when I share it.
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It’s been almost a decade since I last visited Barcelona. And before that, I hadn’t gone back in 10 years! Barcelona has that charm that seems to draw people back, time and time again. I’m glad you had a lovely return, especially to see Gaudi’s works!
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It is a special place. Thanks for your comment, Rebecca!
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Oh interesting, I was just having a conversation about Gaudi with someone the other day. He certainly has a distinct and interesting style. Thanks for this tour of Barcelona!
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You are most welcome. Once you have seen Gaudi’s creations, you never forget them.
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Gaudi’s buildings certainly do have a distinctive, organic feel to them.
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They do. Thanks for that description – organic is so appropriate.
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We visited Barcelona a few years ago and had such a wonderful time. I couldn’t help but fall in love with Gaudi’s architecture. Glad to hear you managed to get last minute tickets to enter Park Guell.
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I wasn’t willing to take no for an answer and walk away!
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Amazing to see the Sagrada Familia so close to completion! Like you we visited many years ago and it was hard to imagine it would ever look like a solid structure. The details look beautiful, I think we’re due a revisit too 🙂 And if we go I must remember what you said about getting into Park Güell as we missed that last time and I’d hate to do so again.
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It was heartwarming to see that the project is still so much alive, and beautifully so.
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I’ve been to Spain but never to Barcelona. I just heard on an overtourism episode of the BBC podcast, The Global Story, that Barcelona’s fame and overtourism began once they hosted the Olympics and all the world saw its wonders. A cautionary tale to other cities hoping to host. Marvelous pictures, Ruth.
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Interesting, I didn’t know that about the Olympic “effect” on Barcelona. Thanks for your kind comment, my friend.
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Lovely shots which capture Barcelona beautifully. I visited for the first time last year and found it to be an incredible city 🙂
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Thank you, Hannah! There are endless interesting places to photograph in Barcelona. Glad you got there.
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As always you’ve treated us to a beautiful pictorial tour. I love the turtle at the base of the column! One of the many quirks in Barcelona’s buildings. Maggie
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Thanks, Maggie!
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We saw Antonin Gaudi’s buildings in León for the first time when we walked the Camino in Spain … and we were amazed to say the least. It was lovely walking through the streets of Barcelona with you (and seeing some of Gaudi’s most famous buildings). Oh, and tapas, sangria, paella – yummy, I just love Spain!
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I wasn’t familiar with his work in León and just looked it up. Thanks for coming along on my blog… and yes, the food!
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How amazing to go back to Barcelona after α 24 year absence only to find that Sagrada Familia is “almost” finished ha ha. Barcelona is as beautiful as I remember it from my brief visit. I’d love to go back and explore the city in depth someday. Your photos are really beautiful and reveal all the little details one should look out for when in Barcelona.
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I so appreciate your comment. Barcelona is a lovely, photogenic city with an exciting energy. Hope you get back there.
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