Barcelona and Gaudi

Monday, March 1--Tour of Barcelona

There is a “new” part of Barcelona which is directly beside the old part of the city. Our local guide told us that some of the old churches, and other old buildings were moved stone by stone to another part of town and then put together like a puzzle to make way for more modern buildings.

They have three events for which they have built large impressive buildings. The first was the 1888 World’s Fair which caused the first elevator to be built in Barcelona, the 1929 World’s Fair and the 1992 Olympics.

We drove by the Olympic-type stadium originally built for the 1929 World’s fair. The outside has been “restored” but the inside has been completely changed to accommodate modern crowds and modern telecommunications. The renovated stadium holds 20,000 spectators. Over 30 new hotels were built for the 92 Olympics. To help the population navigate the city, a metro system of transportation was opened in 1926 and is brought up to date frequently.

We saw a university which serves 120,000 students, who pay approximately 20% of the actual cost of their education.

Since there is NO free parking for cars, the city is home to over 300,000 motorcycles. Parking for autos costs approx 2.5 Euros per hour, however motorcycle parking is free.

Since this is such a desirable location on the Mediterrane over 850 cruise ships dock here during the season.

I plan to find a novel which was mentioned about the building of the basilica named Cathedral of the Sea.

Guell Park is an amazing place which was donated to the city of Barcelona in memory of Anthony Gaudi, a very famous architect. Sr. Guell was Gaudi’s patron There is no charge to enter the park and it was planned to be a community with a market place, lovely gardens, and houses. There are very few houses because Barcelonians did not want to live that far from the center of the city.


We left the bus and walked into the park which was filling with individuals, tour groups and groups of school children. Interestingly each small group of children had colored streaks of “paint” on their faces as did the teachers/escorts. We were guessing that if a child were lost he could look for someone w/ the same color streaks on the face. In the park musicians played, vendors tried to hawk their wares (sunglasses and necklaces) and street performers entertained.


One particular musician playing an instrument (that looked a lot like a wok) with his hands interested us. He told us that the instrument was “invented” in Switzerland about 8 years ago, was called a hang, pronounced HONG, and that only two people in the world make them. How do I describe the sound? It didn’t sound like someone was thumping a metal pot, but sounded rather Oriental and harmonious.



When we got up on the top level of the market place, we found benches built into the wall around the side. They were VERY comfortable. We saw our first of many street performaers for the day. This was “the invisible man” The glasses and hat were connected with a wire and he could see, cuz when a coin was put in his cup, he bowed.


As we were leaving other street performers were setting up, a flamenco dancer, a cave man, a bull fighter, etc.


We got back in the bus after a pleasant hour in Guell Park. I didn’t mention the architecture in the place. It was all designed by Gaudi and there are NO straight lines anywhere.

Loops, waves, lumps, bumps and decoration which is absolutely colorful, but not to my personal taste at all.



While driving to the Holy Family Church, we were told that it was a pet project of Sr. Gaudi. He began the church when he was in his 30’s and it was not finished when he was killed in 1926 at the age of 73---and it is not expected to be finished until 2030-2040. It is built solely on donations and since this church is the most visited monument in Spain, more and more donations have been given toward finishing the construction. We were told that 26 Million Euros were donated last year.

As we were getting ready to disembark, we were reminded about pickpockets. The guide said they are called Chorizo here. I don’t think she explained why.


OH MY GOODNESS1 This is the “huge-est” looking church I’ve ever seen. And it probably isn’t---it just looks like it. We didn’t go in, but walked around, with our guide explaining the façade The first side we saw was the Christmas door, showing angels, shepherds, wise men, the holy family, a “Christmas tree with doves on it” and pelicans. I said door, but this covers the entire side of the building—the front has yet to be built.

Close up


We walked around to the back and the only decoration were depictions of serpents with their heads down, as if it was the evil leaving the building.

We walked around to the other “side” of the building which depicts Easter events and were startled by a COMPLETELY NAKED MAN holding a guitar and asking for money from tourists who wanted to take his picture. (Do I need to mention that more than one of my fellow travelers have his picture--N has him on video) To say we were startled is an understatement. Several of the ladies asked the tour guide (a very attractive woman) if that was legal, just walking around without any clothes and she told them that nakedness is not against the law, but if he causes a scandal, he would be arrested.

Back to the Easter façade of the building—There was a depiction of the Last Supper, the kiss of Judas, the apostles’ denouncing Jesus, the centurions gambling for Christ’s robe, the Crucifixion (naked), the burial, and Ascension. Even though we did not go in, the outside is amazing. It almost looks like melted wax or a nightmare. You decide what you think.

close up view