A Gaudi Tour of Barcelona (4)

We visited the Gaudi museum under Sagrada Familia then took the metro and a bus to Park Guell. In about 1900 Eusebi Guell entrusted Gaudi the plan to create an estate for well-off families in a large property that Guell had acquired in the zone know popularly as the Montana Pelada (bare mountain). It’s location was unbeatable, in a healthy setting with splendid views over the sea and the Plain of Barcelona. In fact only three residences were built - one for Guell, one for Guell’s lawyer and one for Gaudi. It reminded me of many real estate developments that are started by entrepreneurs but fail before completion. However the attraction here is Gaudi’s remarkable designs.
There was a great view of Barcelona and the coast from the park. I was very greatfull to Suzie for a fascinating day.

A Gaudi tour of Barcelona (3)

Gaudi was first signed up to design the Sagrada Familia in 1883 and worked on it for 43 years until he died in 1926. He was killed in an accident in 1926. At that time the building was about 20% finished. The work stopped during the Spanish Civil war (1936-1939). Now there is still much work to be done - particularly to build the central tower. It is hoped that it will be finished by 2016 - the centenary of Gaudi’s death. Here are a few pictures of the inside. I was happy to sit in silence to absorb the experience of being there and listening to a version of Ave Maria that was being sung.

A Gaudi tour of Barcelona (2)

Sagrada Familia is Antoni Gaudi’s most famous and awe-inspiring work. It is an un-finished, super-sized church. With its cake-in-the rain facade and other-worldly spires, the church is an icon of Barcelona and its trademark Modernist style. Having seen many pictures of Sagrada Familia there is nothing like being there to appreciate the building. It is quite an experience. My guide pointed out the many details and the themes from the classics, nature and religion. Here is a first selection of pictures.

  

A Gaudi tour of Barcelona (1)

When travelling as an independent tourist, particularly when one does not speak the language, it helps on day one to have a tour guide. I had a personal tour with Suzie who was very knowledgable and has a degree in Art History. She is a native of Barcelona, having been brought up on the outskirts. She was also widely travelled - Switzerland (her mother was Swiss), New York (where she has a sister) and England. She had been a guide for ten years although part time recently as she has two children aged 6 and 3. 

We first  went to see Casa Batllo (La Pedrera), one of Gaudi’s trademark works. It was built between 1906 and 1912. It is an icon of Modernisme. Beside Casa Batllo are two other houses built at that time. The one on the corner with the Gazebo like structure was built for a local physician. The above pictures shows all three houses and the last picture is of the back of two of them with Gaudi’s the most ornate and imaginative.

 

A dinner out

On my last evening staying with my sister on her  farm neice Helen came down from London where she is a vet and we went out to dinner at the Duck Inn at Pett Bottom.  I used to visit there with my mother and in previous years. The fictional James Bond lived there. Ian Fleming did actually live in a nearby village Patrixbourne. He died on August 12th 1964 in the Private Ward at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital. I remember the House Officer (resident doctor) coming into the doctors lounge and telling us that Ian Fleming had just died of a heart attack (Coronary Thrombosis). 

A walk tracing the history of the village of Bridge

Bridge is a village on the old A2 road from Canterbury (and London) to Dover. It was originally a Roman road. Our guide lived locally and gave a most interesting history. It was called Bridge because of the bridge over the Nailbourne river which is crossed after two hills on either side are either encountered, walking, by armies, in carriages and then by large lorries. Eventually in the 1960s a large lorry crashed into a house and after much local protest the bypass was built. To-day buses have to navigate the main street carefully and it seems they allow parking to ensure traffic calming.

Travellers tales - another walk

This was the second walk sponsored by the Canterbury Festival and the Archeological Society of Canterbury. We started at the Westgate Towers and walked up the high street and then into the Cathedral. After the walk I wandered around in the Cathedral. I was christened there and my mother was a guide for 55 years. Our guide reminded me of her as she read out accounts that were told by the many travellers to Canterbury over the centuries. 

The Westgate Towers

All Saints Passage 

Geoffrey Chaucer