Casa Milà also known as La Pedrera, is a building designed by the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí and built during the years 1905–1910, being considered officially completed in 1912. It was a controversial design at the time for the bold forms of the undulating stone facade and wrought iron decoration of the balconies and windows. Architecturally it is considered an innovative work for its steel structure and curtain walls, the façade is self-supporting. Gaudi wanted the people who lived in the flats to all know each other. Therefore there were only lifts on every second floor so people had to communicate with one another on different floors. Gaudi was way ahead of his time!
Our second day in Barcelona we decided to buy the bus tour because Barcelona is such a big city and all the big tourist attractions are very spread out. It also saved time and the chance of getting lost walking around! The bus tour allows you to get off at the stops you wish and walk around for as long as you want and then you can catch another bus. They come around every 5 minutes or so, so you can spend as long as you want at any destination and the bus pass is good for the whole day! First stop breakfast!
We stopped here every morning for breakfast right around the corner from our hotel! 5 euro breakfast with freshly squeezed orange juice!
These two were there every morning eat sandwiches, drinking wine, and sharing a newspaper! We didn't wake up late this was 10 in the morning!
Eggs over easy, toast, and bacon! It wasn't listed that way on their menu we had to order it specially. They put beans as a side a lot of times in their breakfasts in Spain.
Walking to the bus stop for the tour bus!
The Barcelona tour bus cost 24 euro a person for the whole day!
The bus we took departed from Plaça de Catalunya, a large square in central Barcelona that is generally considered to be both its city centre and the place where the old city (Barri Gòtic and Raval, in Ciutat Vella) and the 19th century-built Eixample meet.
Some of the city's most important streets and avenues meet at Plaça Catalunya: Passeig de Gràcia, Rambla de Catalunya, La Rambla or Portal de l'Àngel, in addition to Ronda de Sant Pere, Carrer de Vergara or Carrer de Pelai.
Colors of Barcelona!
On the top of the bus!
More beautiful colors! Japanese architect Toyo Ito recently transformed the facade of the wavey building, luxurious 41 apartment building in Barcelona, Spain. The architect was inspired in ‘La Pedrera’ from Gaudi that lies across the street.
Fountain!
We have made it to the Casa Milà!
These benches were all along the city! Definitely a Gaudi design or influence!
Gaudí is usually considered the great master of Catalan Modernism, but his works go beyond any one style or classification. They are imaginative works that find their main inspiration in nature. Gaudí studied organic and anarchic geometric forms of nature thoroughly, searching for a way to give expression to these forms in architecture. Some of his greatest inspirations came from visits to the mountain of Montserrat, the caves of Mallorca, the saltpetre caves in Collbató), the crag of Fra Guerau in the Prades Mountains behind Reus, the Pareis mountain in the north of Mallorca and Sant Miquel del Fai in Bigues i Riells.
Such a cool facade!
Wrought iron balconies!
Wrought iron door!
Gaudi used to say that there is no better structure than the trunk of a tree or a human skeleton. These forms are at the same time functional and aesthetic, and Gaudí discovered how to adapt the language of nature to the structural forms of architecture.
Gaudí proceeded to achieve his greatest architectural goal; to perfect and go beyond Gothic style.
Gaudí always preferred to work with casts and scale models or even improvise on site as a work progressed. Reluctant to draw plans, only on rare occasions did he sketch his works, in fact only when required by authorities. - My similarities to Gaudi I also love to build models over sketching!
"Gaudí's position in the history of architecture is that of a creative genius who, inspired by nature, developed a style of his own that attained technical perfection as well as aesthetic value, and bore the mark of his character."
The Casa Milà at night!
Loved the door!
Spanish Word of the Day:
Arquitectura meaning Architecture
PEACE & LOVE,
Kevin & Amanda
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