Undulating rooftops and turrets inspired by the morel
 |
| La Sagrada Familia |
Antoni Gaudi (1852 - 1926) was a Catalan architect who introduced Barcelona to a new approach to building called Modernista. A prolific architect and a deeply religious Catholic, his masterpiece is a gothic cathedral, La Sagrada Familia, which dominates the skyline and is still under construction. He also built Casa Mila, a fanciful downtown apartment building, and Park Guell, a failed development on the hilly outskirts of the city.
 |
| Gaudi’s parapet is constructed like a morel |
Gaudi combined fanciful ornamentation with modern structural principles, based on the natural form of trees, butterflies, and even morel mushrooms.
He was a humble man who credited God with creating the natural world that was his inspiration. Even his most playful buildings have a sense of sacred space.
Casa Mila or La Pedrera
This was my favorite Gaudi building because it was an intimate living space. Part of the building was rented out as apartments, and those rooms were also bright and inviting.
 |
Scale model of La Casa Mila which overlooks a busy avenue
|
The attic and veranda were magical - graceful stone arches support a sheltering roof that floods the attic with filtered light and opens onto an “aha” moment as you step out onto the rooftop patio. Don the builder was awed.
 |
| In the attic |
 |
| View from Casa Mila rooftop patio |
 |
| What an amazing view |
 |
Mushroom hunting on the roof of Casa Mila
|
Park Guell
This development on the outskirts of the city was supposed to be an exclusive subdivision, but the distance, cost, and challenging building conditions resulted in failure. Only one house was built—occupied by the Gaudi family themselves. But the amazing grounds have become one of the most popular attractions in Barcelona and highlight Gaudi’s style.
La Sagrada Familia
This towering Gothic inspired Basilica is the largest unfinished Catholic Church in the world. Gaudi worked on the building from 1882 until his death in 1926. He knew that he would never live to see its completion but his vision of an homage to God made him philosophical: “My client has all the time in the world.”
 |
| Scale model of the completed basilica |
 |
| Some windows filter blue light in the morning |
 |
| The western windows are flooded with orange light |
 |
| Every detail of the church is related to the life and passion of Christ |
 |
Construction continues, completed funded by private donation.
|
I'm always mystified by old buildings. It's the how that gets me.
ReplyDeleteLove tagging along on your adventure, vicariously! Sagrada Familia, especially, is on the top of my got-to-see list. Great pics.
ReplyDelete