La Pedrera | Barcelona

Introducing La Pedrera, a popular building in Barcelona designed by Antoni Gaudi during the years 1905 - 1910. These prominent urban apartments are originally know as Casa Mila, but are more commonly referred to as La Pedrera meaning "The Quarry". They are nicknamed for the intense limestone façade and unique open pit construction. Embodying a subdued flamboyance in comparison to its neighbor Casa Battlo; the colors scheme sees more neutral earth tones but the shapes, textures and overall appearance is no less a spectacle along the city's main promenade. The free flowing wavy exterior with elaborate wrought iron balconies and the rooftop terrace with mosaic chimneys and gypsy caves are major points of interest. Touring the interior rooms was fun, too. I was particularly fond of the spacious bathrooms and pretty lampshades. La Pedrera-Casa Mila is located at 92 Passeig de Grassia in the city's Eixample District. It is open daily from 9am - 8pm. Adult admission costs 16€.

Casa Battlò | Barcelona

A fantastically whimsical house designed by Antoni Gaudi, Casa Batllò delights with shapes and textures inspired from nature. Fish scale shingles form the roof and ceramic tree tops the chimneys. Doors are shaped like mushrooms and windows like clouds. Waves crash on ceilings and a snail shell coils into a banister. Colorful tiles and vivid mosaics captivate at every turn. Stained glass takes on forms and colors like you've never seen it. Hardwood floors and furnishings tie everything together with a polished finesse. It's an intricately imaginative space, a work of thought provoking architecture both inside and out.

Here are some of my favorite photographs from our tour.

Casa Battlò is located at 43 Passeig de Grassia in the city's Eixample District. It is open daily from 9am - 8pm. Adult admission includes an audio-guided tour and costs 20€.

Parc Güell | Barcelona

As it turns out, after dedicating a weeks worth of posts to Barcelona restaurant reviews, I couldn't move on without a tribute to the outstanding 19th century modernist creations of Spanish Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi. His highly regarded organic style captivates widespread international audiences and certainly left a lasting impression on me. Spending time among and within these attractions was a major highlight of this trip!

Presenting Parc Güell, a UNESCO World Heritage sight and prominent landmark in the city of Barcelona. Designed by Gaudi and built from 1900 - 1914, the park is an inspired, skillful blend of art in natural surroundings. A lush landscape from palm trees to evergreens is fused with intricate mosaic facades and statues, sloping columns, bustling terraces, quiet pathways and one heck of a long serpentine park bench. Enjoy!
Located on Carrer d'Olot atop a fairly steep hill in the city's northern Barri Gracia, visitors can access Parc Güell from the Metro stop Vallcarca on Line 3 or via the Bus Touristic which stops right at the bottom of the hill. Admission to the park is free!