Casa Milà (a.k.a. La Padrera)
As apparent from its façade, this fascinating piece of architecture did not employ a single straight line in its creation. Gaudí used steel pillars to support the weight of the building which was why the walls to could act as art pieces instead of load-bearing instruments.
the arches that run through the building enabled Gaudí to create pillars and ceilings of different heights, hence obtaining a wave-like structure. What inspired him is in the picture on the right. Marvellous, isn't it?
Other aspects of nature, like bee hives and rocks gave Gaudí his unconventional ideas. The surrealistic roof, with chimneys and water tanks guised in dream-like representations.
right: these are chimneys believe it or not!
left: the apartment windows and one of its rooms.
Gaudí designed this in a way such that all rooms receive natural light. Our second destination was arguably Gaudí's most famous work of all - La Sagrada Familia. This imposing basilica was to be what Gaudí called 'the last sanctuary of Christendom'. Gaudí ensured that the height of his central tower would be a metre less than 170m, which is the height of Montjuïc as he believed that his work should not surpass that of God's. Gaudí devoted 40 years of his life on this project but it's still far from completion! The magic number is a good 30 to 80 years more! Incredible.
left: the cranes that mar the façade. right: if you look closely, you'll see the unique angular sculptures of biblical characters
left: we were requested to sign a petition against the construction of a tunnel for a high speed train near where the foundation of the basilica lies, which puts the building at the risk of collapsing.
To enter, we paid 5€ and an additional 2€ for the lift which would take us to the very top of the basilica. The interior was impressive all right, but the scaffolding that lay all around sort of took away the image of grandiosity that I had of its exterior. The unbelievable one-and-half-hour wait for the lift to see the mediocre view from the top made me regret going in. I'd recommend just admiring the architecture but not entering. Time would be much better spent appreciating the rest of what this amazing city has to offer.
right: the crazy queue
We ended our Gaudí tour with a visit to Park Güell, a massive park spanning 17 hectares. It was supposed to be a housing site but in the end it did not take off. Thus, it was converted into a park, inspired by the English Garden City campaign. Hence the English word 'Park'. The buildings that greeted us at the entrance were so fairytale-like! Reminded me of the candy house in Hansel and Gretel =D
the entrance to the Park! Unlike the traditional parks with lots of greenery, this one says concrete and gravel.
left: shadow play haha so wu liao
right: where we sat and had our mini-picnic
left: At the edge of the park overlooking a housing estate. See the banner atop one of the buildings? It reads: why call it tourist season when we can't shoot them? We dove for cover.
left: I've never stood on a street with a slope steeper than this one. Think it was about 30 degrees to the horizontal! right: Paella del Señorito
The Torre Agbar (Agbar tower) that belongs to a water company. It goes by several nicknames, June calls it the condom tower hahaha. It wasn't fully lighted when we were there so it was quite disappointing. It's supposed to look like this:
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