Thursday, August 23, 2012

Fantastical Architecture

Barcelona is home to several buildings designed by one of the 19th and 20th centuries most amazing architects, Antoni Gaudi. His work is imaginative and fantastical, with curves and themes and mosaics. He was passionate about nature and religion, and these passions show in his designs. Below are some pictures of one his most famous houses, Casa Batllo, remodeled for a Barcelona family in the early 1900s, and photos of Park Guell, also built in the early 1900s as part of an upscale housing development on a hill overlooking the city. The housing development never really caught on, and today, the park is a lovely place to walk and enjoy views over the city of Barcelona.
Casa Batllo is nicknamed "House of Bones" or "House of Yawns." The exterior is striking, and the interior is filled with flowing, curving lines in walls, ceiling, and staircases.
Casa Batllo is made up of rooms surrounding an inner, completely open area which allows natural light from the ceiling to fill each floor. Blue tile work uses shades of blue to create a trick of the eye as the light grows dimmer lower down.
The roof line mimics a dragon's back and also features a cross to resemble a plant bulb as well as mosaic chimneys.
Park Guell, overlooking the city of Barcelona and the sea beyond.
Park Guell's Terrace features a curving, mosaic covered bench on three sides, a marvelous place to relax.

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