Barcelona

12/1/14-12/7/14  I had the opportunity to spend almost a week in Barcelona, primarily for work, but also with some time for sightseeing. It was a great chance to explore Las Ramblas, La Sangria Familia, plenty of Gaudi, the Mediterranean, and more.
DSC01644 Las Arenas. The bullfighting stadium in Barcelona built in the 1800’s and used all the way into the ‘90s. Bullfighting was officially outlawed in Catalonia in...
Las Arenas. The bullfighting stadium in Barcelona built in the 1800’s and used all the way into the ‘90s. Bullfighting was officially outlawed in Catalonia in…
DSC01647 Fountain at Placa d’Espanya.
Fountain at Placa d’Espanya.
DSC01648 Venetian towers at Placa d’Espanya.
Venetian towers at Placa d’Espanya.
DSC01649 Fira de Barcelona, one of the large convention centers in the city. I missed the group bus from the hotel one morning, so I decided to make the 45min walk to...
Fira de Barcelona, one of the large convention centers in the city. I missed the group bus from the hotel one morning, so I decided to make the 45min walk to…
DSC01650 Palau Nacional. A palace from the early 1900’s that now holds the National Art Museum of Catalonia.
Palau Nacional. A palace from the early 1900’s that now holds the National Art Museum of Catalonia.
DSC01652 On my fourth day in Barcelona, I was able to take an organized tour of the city. This is Casa Batlló, a famous house designed by Antoni Gaudí for...
On my fourth day in Barcelona, I was able to take an organized tour of the city. This is Casa Batlló, a famous house designed by Antoni Gaudí for…
DSC01655 The fireplace. The structure of the house has almost no straight lines, giving it a very whimsical feel.
The fireplace. The structure of the house has almost no straight lines, giving it a very whimsical feel.
DSC01656 The wood and glasswork are amazing.
The wood and glasswork are amazing.
DSC01659 The atrium silo in the middle of the house that brings natural light into the rooms that would otherwise not have windows.
The atrium silo in the middle of the house that brings natural light into the rooms that would otherwise not have windows.
DSC01661 More dragon imagery on the roof.
More dragon imagery on the roof.
DSC01668 Next stop was La Sagrada Família, probably the most famous site in Barcelona. It's a large, active Roman Catholic church located in the heart of the...
Next stop was La Sagrada Família, probably the most famous site in Barcelona. It's a large, active Roman Catholic church located in the heart of the…
DSC01670 The Nativity façade, depicting the birth of Jesus. This side was actively designed by Gaudí before his death.
The Nativity façade, depicting the birth of Jesus. This side was actively designed by Gaudí before his death.
DSC01674 Inside the Basilica. Amazing, but very, very different from Santa Maria de Montserrat.
Inside the Basilica. Amazing, but very, very different from Santa Maria de Montserrat.
DSC01675 The altar. Unfortunately, it was a rainy day, so the stained glass windows probably didn't have the full glow they normally would.
The altar. Unfortunately, it was a rainy day, so the stained glass windows probably didn't have the full glow they normally would.
DSC01677 Lofty ceilings.
Lofty ceilings.
DSC01679 The other side of the church, the Passion façade, depicting the death of Jesus. Designed by architects after Gaudí’s death.
The other side of the church, the Passion façade, depicting the death of Jesus. Designed by architects after Gaudí’s death.
DSC01680 Model of what the completed Basilica will look like in 2026.
Model of what the completed Basilica will look like in 2026.
DSC01681 One more look at the church construction as we moved on to el Museo de Picasso. No pictures were allowed there, so nothing to show for it here.
One more look at the church construction as we moved on to el Museo de Picasso. No pictures were allowed there, so nothing to show for it here.
DSC01685 That night, our group ate at Torre d’Alta Mar, a fancy restaurant at the top of a tower built in 1929. It has amazing 360 degree views of Barcelona and the...
That night, our group ate at Torre d’Alta Mar, a fancy restaurant at the top of a tower built in 1929. It has amazing 360 degree views of Barcelona and the…
DSC01829 My last couple days in Barcelona, I moved to a hotel near the Mediterranean at the beach near Nova Mar Bella. Unfortunately, the temperature was in the 40s, so...
My last couple days in Barcelona, I moved to a hotel near the Mediterranean at the beach near Nova Mar Bella. Unfortunately, the temperature was in the 40s, so…