La Sagrada Familia is Gaudi’s “masterpiece.” Construction on the temple began in 1882, and has been ongoing ever since. Gaudi died in 1926, and so several different architects have been tapped to flesh out the master’s design.
It was especially interesting seeing the interior of the temple, which had progressed significantly since I was there 4 years ago.
the famous shape of the la sagrada familia
the soldiers were modeled after the shapes on the la pedrera’s roof
parts of the passion facade
sculpture of jesus
ceiling of the temple
an unfinished stairwell
active construction
from the top
arches
rockin’ out with mister turtle
A few random street shots…
while walking through the Barri Gotti (Gothic Quarter), we came upon this wedding reception.
these for-rent red bicycles were everywhere
the building fronts were so, well, european (for lack of a better word)
a clothes rack in the apartments across from us
peering down from the apartment
bicycles in high places
It was the first time that Spain won the Euro Cup 2008 in 22 years. (And the first time in about the same number of years that I watched a soccer match.)
The game was in Austria, so the viewing location was a bar in the Barri Gotti.
The celebration in the street afterwards was particularly memorable… and also where I learned the life skill of operating an SLR with one hand, while have a beer in the other.
folks were lined up on the street to see in…
…and the celebration starts
friendly folks sold beer on the streets for 1 euro
the spanish flag in motion: my first attempt at panning
pouring on to las ramblas
there was no “music”, so noise makers and chants filled the streets
and there were many many people out
Unfortunately, I was only able to see Casa Batllo from the outside this trip (it was closed when I tried to go). It’s one of my Gaudi favorites.
Yesterday was my first full day in Barcelona. It was a fabulous.
My friend Chris and I started at Museu Picasso. My favorite part of this museum is Picasso’s Las Meninas study… (He did several interpretations of Vellasquez’s Las Meninas, which I saw in Madrid a few years ago.) The current temporary exhibit displays the work of several other artists who have done Las Meninas interpretations. It was great.
Next, we headed to Gaudi’s Parque Guell, took pictures and had lots of sangria.
At night (and this was the coolest part), we went to Gaudi’s La Pedrera for a rooftop jazz concert. and free cava. The band was awesome, and the ambience - set among Gaudi’s crazy knight-looking sculptures - was perfect.
We ended with dinner Spanish-style (and jetlag-style) around 11:30pm, which included some great cabrales blue cheese and a DOQ spanish red wine.
I think I could live in Barcelona. 
On the plane to Spain, I read that there are sometimes nighttime concerts at La Pedrera, one of my favorite places from my previous Barcelona trip.
After asking around, we got tickets for “Noches de verano en La Pedrera.” The musician that night was Marc Ayza - he & his band were fabulous.
All & all, it was just a wonderful experience: great music & good cava in the surreal surroundings of Gaudi’s La Pedrera rooftop.
ark Guell is Gaudi’s outdoor barcelona park. It’s relaxing, picturesque… and a great place for a pitcher of sangria.
barcelona skyline from the top of the park. (see the large version.)
the main part of the park
dragon
euro smiles
mosaic
there goes the bride
ready for my sangria!
