Antoni Gaudi is a famous architect in Barcelona who either designed or collaborated on designs on every known famous buildings after Barcelona adopted Modernisme, a new style of art and architecture towards the end of the 19th century. Gaudi used materials such as stone, rubble, wood and brickwork with craftwork in iron and stained glass, which thus produced buildings and structures in fluid, uneven forms, and then cover them up with mosaics of ceramic tiles. He was also inspired by organic forms and wildlife, as seen in some of his works. Some of his works that we visited were Park Guell, Casa Batlo, Casa Mila and Sagrada Familia.
Park Guell-was Gaudi's first major building and most colourful creation for his long-time patron/friend. It's located on a hill-thank God for outdoor escalators to go up to the park...yup.. Spain has outdoor escalators for lazy people like me...well not everywhere as i'd hoped for haha... but in this case, u'll definitely need escalators as its really an uphill slope...

nice park like a town on its own-fanciful and colourful...almost like a fantasy city....kids loved it here...Casa Batlo-another of Gaudi's houses. Here, everything is round and flowing. The outer wall displays glimmering ceramic pieces. The rooftop is nice though...Weird-looking chimneys hehehe..
Casa Mila- also known as La Pedrera(The Stone Quarry) bcoz of its rippling stone structure. Again, this enormous apartment house was designed by Gaudi. It is 8 storeys high, around 2 circular courtyards, and has a wavy-like form roof with chimneys and vents resembling abstract sculptures.




Sagrada Familia- Europe's most unconventional church. Full of symbols inspired by nature and trying to be original, it is Gaudi's greatest work. In fact, only one tower was ready when Gaudi died. Work only resumed after the Civil War and till now, work is still in progress. In fact, wherever u go in Spain, there will be some works/refurbishments going around heehee...The Sagrada Familia loos all grand but once u took pictures, it kinda look eerie, "witchy" kind of look haha...tot maybe its just me but Wong felt d same too hahaha...the best part is going up the spiral staircase to the tower for a better look...though we have to queue for like almost an hr hehehe... 




Ok ok enuff for Gaudi...heehee....other places dat we went to include...
Parc de la Ciutadella-a popular park that has a small boating lake, orange groves and even small green parrots in palm trees. Did i juz say enuff of Gaudi?? Err, well he kinda contributed again when he was still a student, to the design of La Cascada in the centre of the park. It's basically a waterfall that pours into a beautifully designed pond, with chariots and dragons surrounding it. Again, works in progress so no waterfall :(
Montjuic - a spectacular vantage point where u can view the city. The most interesting building there is the National Palace, where Europe's greatest art collection is placed at. Fountains and cascades descends in terraces from the National Palace. Apparently in some evenings, the water jets are programmed to a multicoloured light and msic show.Of course, dat didnt happen when we r there in d day hehehe. Further up, the Olypic stadium is located as well.
And dats Barcelona...phewwww...and i havent even blog abt Montserrat yet, which we went to on a day trip from Barcelona...in the next entry...
CIAO!!
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