My first day in Barcelona! Took a long breath and glanced through the window, rushed down for breakfast, then back up to my room to take the camera and the book I bought the night before. Gaudi, here I come!

Colorful ceramics on the ceiling
Took the bus that was going up and up… “I have really considered going on foot all the way up to the Park Guell?! It would have taken me the whole day to climb up there!”, it crossed my mind.
By the way, did you know that Antoni Gaudi loved to walk? Was just reading about him, while sitting in the bus.
He took long walks because of his health condition, and that is how he discovered the spectacle of Nature, that is why his creations were later known as “organic constructions”.

Famous undulating bench
In 1878, when Gaudi was 26, he met Euebi Guell, rich industrialist and patron, who was going to protect his projects until the end of his life.
Private urban project
Park Guell began as a private urban planning project (1900-1914) assigned to Gaudi by Guell in accordance to the style that was popular in England at the time. Never the less, only 2 of 62 projected parcels were sold and thus the project was not a success. Mainly because it was considered to be too far from the city center, too solitary and “up the hill”.

Gaudi’s house turned into a museum
Still, Gaudi finished his work and now we have the legacy of one of the most popular architectural achievements. The whole area was declared as an Artistic Monument by the local government in 1962 and it later became UNESCO heritage sight.
So, only two houses were built and sold and one of them was bought by Gaudi himself.

Always bustling with tourists
He lived here up until 1925 when he has set up an accommodation in Sagrada Familia he was working on.
It is possible to go inside, it is now turned into the museum with the belongings and Gaudi’s furniture decorations.
Forms that imitate nature
It is astonishing to see how Gaudi projected pathways for pedestrians, curious arched paths with local stones, looking for the forms that imitate the surrounding nature. There is the famous wavy bench in the large plaza, supported by columns.

Lizard-fountain at the entrance
Looking from downwards, there are beautiful ceramics’ collages decorating the ceiling between the columns, created by Gaudi disciple.
One of the most eye-catching aspects is that there are a lot of curving and undulating shapes, and also – dragon details. It is one of Gaudi’s preferred topics, the immense dragon defeated by St George, patron saint of Catalonia with its symbolic transcendence of Good overcoming Evil. (We were just in Cappadocia, remember – the place where St George was born. Just love when details fall into place like this!)

Pedestrian path in the Park
The famous dragon
So, there is going to be a terrace resembling a dragon’s jaw or a passageway that looks like a jaw with huge teeth, and of course, there is a lizard-dragon covered in mosaics, in vivid colors, located at the entrance, being a huge recognizable fountain.

Fairy looking house
Though I like dragon symbolism, and even though my family celebrates St George (in Serbian Orthodox Christian tradition this celebration is called slava and each family inherits a particular saint to celebrate), I am not that fond of dragons and lizards.
But still, I could not resist the charm of ceramics collages and those beings represented by Gaudi! It was just another creator of nature, in all of its (Gaudi’s) creativity. Just had to get me one.
So now I have one colorful lizard-magnet covered in ceramics, climbing up my iron book stand next to the desk. They say, it should always be faced upwards, for good luck and prosperity. Not sure why, but at the end of it – a little of that Gaudi’s magic is still with me, to this day!
Next: CHIQUITA IN LA RAMBLA (3)
Full Barcelona/Lisbon SERIES
Archana
Quite an engaging description. Loved your pictures. Your writing is very crisp too 🙂
WorldGlimpses
Thanks you, it means a lot! 🙂
sophie
Barcelona has so many amazing places in it. which tells alot about the history, culture and the amazing art makes you fall in love with the city more and more. you have clicked some amazing photos here it looks great from your lenses. Thanks for sharing this piece! I loved it! Cheers! 🙂
WorldGlimpses
Thank you, so glad to hear that! 🙂
Pete
Wow! That was fabulous. Gaudi is one of my heroes. Imagine how he must have seemed a hundred years ago, a wild-eyed lunatic making buildings that were so far from the conventional.
Loved your photographs. What a delightful, rich, joyful day you must have had!
WorldGlimpses
Fortunately, there was Mr Guell! It crossed my mind so many times – what if Gaudi didn’t have such support?! He might have been considered for “just another lunatic”, who knows. And what a waste that would be!
halefg
As a landscape architect, I always admire ‘different’ design, including architecture. I love Gaudi design – it is definitely ‘out’ there and different than the rest of the pack, but that’s exactly why I think it is cool. Thank you for sharing your post with beautiful photos – I will be back to Barcelona someday and experience more of this beautiful city!
WorldGlimpses
Love the idea that you as an expert like Gaudi’s work. 🙂 For me, it’s appealing because of shapes, colors and the symbolism behind it all. Thanks for stopping by!
mozeci
Great article about great artist! Guell is definitely the most beautiful park we visited! But I never thought about the dragon symbolism! Now we have to go again! 😉
http://www.tripblogpost.com
WorldGlimpses
Hehehe, glad if my post makes you go back! 😀 Thanks!
Mike Cotton (@MikeCjourno)
Lovely photographs. I really dig the detail. I’ve never been to Barcelona but it’s definitely on my bucket list.
WorldGlimpses
I can only imagine how your photos from Park Guell would be! 🙂 Make sure to share when you visit!
Joanna
I have been to Barcelona a few years ago and I actually did climb the hill, all the way down from Sagrada Familia to Parc Guell. And guess what? The next available tickets were for 5 hours later. So unfortunately I just walked around and tried to peak inside to see Gaudi’s artwork. Due to my limited time in Barcelona I didn’t have a chance to return but that’s a reason to go to back to Barcelona one day 🙂
WorldGlimpses
Congrats, it is high up! Oh, sorry to hear that you didn’t enter. But, you’re right, now you have a good reason to go back! 🙂
The Walking Map
Your descriptions make me feel like I’m there. “Walk” is a Pantera song. “Dragon Attack” is a Queen song!
WorldGlimpses
Love how you’ve found your own interpretation, “connection” to Gaudi and his symbolism here! 🙂 Thanks!
2travellingsisters
I am a huge fan of Antoni Gaudi’s work! During my visit to Barcelona last year, I managed to visit many of his famous works and Parc Guell was one of them. It is incredible how he sought inspiration from nature and designed the park. A true genius architect!
WorldGlimpses
Couldn’t agree more! 🙂
Kellyn
Thanks for sharing I love Gaudi’s work too. Can’t wait to head to Barcelona next year.
WorldGlimpses
Looking forward to your posts from Spain then! 😉
sherrie250
I have been to Barcelona and would love to go back! Your article did teach me a few things I did not know! Thanks- love the photo’s!
WorldGlimpses
I’d go back any time! 😀 Thanks, so kind of you to say that. You loved Gaudi as well, I guess? 🙂
see
I’m amazed, I must say. Rarely do I encounter a blog that’s equally educative and
engaging, and without a doubt, you’ve hit the nail
on the head. The issue is something too few folks
are speaking intelligently about. I am very happy I came
across this during my search for something relating to this.
Danijela
So glad you like the post, thank you. 🙂
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