If you removed all the Gaudis from Barcelona, it would still be one of the most architecturally astounding cities in the world. These are just a few of the many remarkable buildings just happened upon. You can see the Islamic influence.
Just walking by. One of the common decorations at around eye level.
Just wandering down the streets in the Gothic quarter one day, we ran across this. The street itself is about two thousand years old and the palace (which is on either side) dates from the Middle Ages, so its around a thousand years old. The bridge was constructed much more recently by a disciple of Gaudi’s in 1928.
You happen to look up and see these statues sticking out at right angles.
The undercarriage of the bridge.
Focussing in on one of the details of the undercarriage.
All in all, Barcelona teaches us what is possible when there is no fear of colour, and no blind adherence to tradition. Its history in dealing with this incredible legacy, its attempt to sweep it all away in favour of more modern linear structures, informs us that people are the same the world around. Though it is true that some art is only appreciated at certain times, or rather, not at all times, when looking at these manifestations of beauty, you can hardly believe that someone could only see something to tear down and replace, and not out of maleficence of any kind, but out of honest aesthetic impulse.
