Normally, getting the Peck clan to visit a house or a building is really hard. The attraction of the PS3, or on holiday – the swimming pool, is too much of a pull. Moans and groans meet any suggestion to go and visit this or that. But not in Barcelona! At least, not once I got them all there, stood them in front of the Casa Batllo, and let them stare. Mmmm, even the kids went quiet…
Seascape.
This house really does shimmer in the light! Gaudi stood in the middle of the street to direct exactly where the tiles should go to get maximum watery shimmer and shine. We sat opposite, had a second breakfast (McDonald’s, yummy) and gazed.
Just imagine living in a place like this! The Batllos did. It must of have been extraordinary. A sinuous, organic, crazy building. The house is alive. Mrs Battlo must have loved inviting her envious friends around for a coffee. “Take a seat in our lounge, we think of it as being inside a sea-dragon…”
The ‘lounge’
Ceiling, to look like the bottom of the sea.
Organic designs in the back rooms.
Every detail is exquisite. Look at how Gaudi has redesigned a door handle, so that it fits the hand even more perfectly.
For right handers…
The stairwell glistens, blue, as if under water.
Top of the house
Immy loved the house so much she wanted to buy it. How much would she pay? 10 million Euros was the answer. Not quite sure where she thinks she can get that money from…, and I suspect she will still be a few million short!
Having mentally bought the house, we progressed to the Gaudi park. More sinuosity and organicness. Then, onto the Sagrada Familia.
Coolest park bench in the world?
Modern tympanum
It does look really modern, but of course, Gaudi was designing and building this well over 100 years ago. His vision is still, well, visionary!
Window light
The high altar
I wonder if the seeds of architectural curiosity have been sown in the kids? What will the reaction be next time I force them to visit a National Trust property back in England? The PS3 may hold sway again… We shall see…
As we are almost at Christmas, the last image should be a Nativity. Here’s Gaudi’s, the quintessential sagrada familia.
(love the donkey…)
(NB – 2 of the pictures are ‘fake’ – photos of postcards, rather than ‘live’ pix. Can you work out which ones?)
If you like this, check out Shooting icons in New York or Imperial Russia rides again!
December 16th, 2012 at 7:11 pm
Thank you so much for sharing! Someday I’ll see it for myself.
December 16th, 2012 at 11:29 pm
That is a remarkable building! I’ll have about a day in Barcelona in April so I’d love to go and see it.
December 17th, 2012 at 12:46 am
Sounds like you had a great trip! Barcelona really has the most incredible architecture, in large part thanks to Gaudi.
Oh, and there is one of his houses for sale right now (Casa Vicens). I believe it’ll set you back about 52 million euros. Maybe you could rent a room for 10 million?
December 17th, 2012 at 5:06 am
What’s not to love? Great pictures!
December 17th, 2012 at 8:03 am
Fantastic set of pictures which remind me of visits. Truly well selected details. The high altar picture could make anyone want to become an architect if not a believer:)
December 17th, 2012 at 3:31 pm
Unfamiliar with Gaudi, I am delighted you’ve shared this. It really is magical, though I’m sure being there is even more so. I hope your daughter manages that expensive dream someday.
December 19th, 2012 at 12:55 pm
I didn’t get to see this when I was in Barcelona. Next time.
December 19th, 2012 at 2:22 pm
I think the first one and the lounge one?
December 19th, 2012 at 3:12 pm
Quite right Leonard. You have the eye! TP
December 19th, 2012 at 5:49 pm
Gorgeous and brilliant pictures.