Days 15-22: Out with the Old, In with the Ancient

This past week, classes were pretty uneventful. We stayed in studio for every class and had a couple of lectures, so we definitely had to create our own fun in our free time.

On Wednesday, after class, we decided to go to a bridge design by one of my favorite architects, Santiago Calatrava. He has work all over the world, but as one of his small projects in a random neighborhood, this bridge was still pretty cool.

Walking up to Calatrava's Bridge

Perspective of Bridge Rail

Late afternoon sun through the suspension cables

Pedestrian part of the bridge

Probably too many pictures, but I really like his work....haha

On Thursday after class we decided to go to the ever-famous and ever-popular Park Guell. Designed by Gaudi, it was originally intended to be an upscale neighborhood, but only two houses were ever built. Today, it is a park, with paths/roads all through it, and it has become one of the most popular places in Barcelona. We thought it might be crowded but since it was sort of a rainy day, we almost had the place to ourselves. Gaudi has a crazy style, but it is still very impressive!

Paths underneath the road system he designed (nothing was carved into the hill)

The famous, what I like to call, wave wall

The serpentine-like bench that surround the public space on top of the pavilion 

Almost the same picture, but from the other side with a better view of the city

Classical style pavilion complete with gargoyles

Front entrance to pavilion

Lizard that guards the entrance

One of the two houses Gaudi built.....Dr. Suess anybody?

View from the top of the park

Friday, we tried to go to the highest point in Barcelona (Tibidabo), until we realized it was closed after walking about 5 miles....so that wasn't very successful. haha

Saturday, we took a day trip by train down the coast to a town called Tarragona. The train ride was beautiful because the ocean was right there the entire trip. The town, is the site of many Roman ruins from when the Roman Empire ruled in parts of Spain. There were too many to name them all but the main points were the Amphitheater and the 1200 meters left of the Roman wall that used to surround the city.

Rambla Nova in Tarragona

Statue at the end of Rambla Nova

All of us loving the view of the Mediterranean 

Roman Amphitheater constructed about II BC

Gladiator battles and a view of the ocean? Yes please.

Flags of Spain- EU(left), Catalunya(middle-left), Spain(middle-right), and I have no idea...haha

Wall and turret of the Roman Circus Praetorium (Chariot Racing was one of many activities here)

Roman Sculpture in the Pretori Museum

Circus Corridor

Individual Doors

Cathedral of Tarragona

Cathedral from the side

Courtyard of Castellarnau House

Basement with wine barrels

Main floor ballroom (the mural on the ceiling was crazy)

Original Roman Wall

Roman Wall

Old Roman Forum Ruins

Original Roman Road

Sunday we were all sort of tired, but I had the idea that we should go visit something that was close. So we decided to visit one of the most famous buildings in Barcelona. Gaudi's Casa Mila (La Pedrera) is where we ended up. It is really amazing that this kind of architecture was possible back then. It is pretty cool to think that all the curves and ornament of the building was done with no computers, all man made.

Casa Mila (La Pedrera)

Wrought Iron Balconies

Ceiling mural in entry foyer

Attic Display w/ furniture Gaudi designed

Attic with HUGE model of Casa Mila

One of the apartments (living room & dining room)

Rooftop terrace with the crazy chimneys 

Sagrada Familia framed in one of the overhangs on the terrace.....coincidence? I think not.

One of the awesome doors on the ground floor

The second courtyard

It turned out to be a great weekend for site seeing. Roman ruins and one of Gaudi's most famous works. Definitely was a great combination. Plus, tomorrow we are going to see Sagrada Familia, Barcelona's most famous church, so I am pretty excited. 

By the way, this weekend we are taking our first trip out of the country to a little place called Switzerland! Yes, we will be snowboarding/skiing in the Swiss Alps in 4 days! :) But I guess that will have to wait...

Until next time....

Un abrazo,

Seth

Micah 6:8