Next stop. . . Barcelona, Spain!

Here is dear mother-in-law and I overlooking the Beautiful city of Barcelona, Spain!

The weather was PERFECT! The day was sunny and warm and the sights were UNREAL!

We had a blast taking in the city:





























This next photo is a modern day billboard on one of the buildings that I thought was kinda cool:



But then, I liked the 'homemade' one even better:



Here's what the little taxis looked like:



And just like Rome and other parts of Italy, they also had scooters everywhere in Barcelona:



Oh! And then, of course we had to stop at a sword and knife shop! I mean, when in Barcelona. . .




And then we come to GAUDI! I mean this architect was AMAZING! You can't visit Barcelona or Catalonia Spain and not visit some of his amazing buildings and artwork.



His name was Antoni Gaudí. He was born on the 25th of June in 1852. To say he was brilliant would be an understatement! He was definitely 'unconventional' and always thinking outside the box! I don't think he even knew how to draw a straight line! (just kidding) He used the natural environment and surroundings to draw from when creating his designs. He definitely pushed the envelope with his more rounded, whimsical and colorful projects (far removed from the square and traditional designs of others before him) Hence, we now have the the term 'gaudy'--when describing something 'over the top'.

He was a master at combining the traditional elements with amazing ornamentation and truly imaginative designs. You can see for yourself in the following photos:





















This poster encapsulates perfectly the creative genius of Gaudi:



And then we come to the unfinished masterpiece of this man:



The Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Familia--which means Expiatory Temple of the Sacred Family. This project was begun in 1882! Gaudi worked on this massive creation for nearly 42 years--right up until he was struck by a trolley and killed in 1926. Apparently he didn't leave any written plans for the continuation of this great project.

But he did construct a model of his vision for the cathedral--and a few notes and drawings. So work continued on la Sagrada until a fire in 1936 destroyed all of the notes and designs he left. Then in 1952 work began again--but there was much debating and disagreements

And amazingly--construction is still underway today, with the aid of volunteer builders. You can actually tour the constructed areas. If you do visit the museum there, you will be able to watch stone cutters cutting the stones required for the construction. Also there is a model displayed of what the final Sagrada Familia will look like. I don't think I'll be able to go back and see the completed project--as it slated to be done in approximately 80 years!



OK--I went NUTS at the Sagrada Familia! The facade of the building, the statues, the spires--I just couldn't stop taking photos--because. . .well, it was TOO much! So you'll just have to see the rest in my lil' slide show! I hope you enjoy it--but trust me--it is more fun to actually BE THERE and see it up close and personal!