Friday, August 5, 2016

Barcelona



Summer break is here! The time when students, like me, get to go on vacation, relax,  and play with their friends. This summer my mom and dad planned a wonderful trip to Barcelona, Florance, and Rome. I loved all  the cities, and I wanted to write about my experience.  So, I decided to do one blog post for every city.


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Barcelona was the first city I went to, and it was also my favorite. I love Barcelona because of  a fantastic architect named Antoni Gaudi. We went to Park Guell, La Padrara, and Sagrada Familia which were all designed by Gaudi.  He puts so much detail into his work, which is why I like the buildings he designs.


A fountain in Park Guell

Park Guell was meant to be a housing community, but they never finished it. It sat empty for twelve years before the Barcelona city council opened it as a public park in 1926. When my family and I went to see it, I was dumbstruck by how much detail was put into it. No wonder they never finished it! There was so much to do.Tiles of all colors were put together to make a beautiful mosaics all over the structures. I also saw fountains made into fabulous mosaics. The best part about Park Guell was the view of the city. The view overlooked so many interesting sights, and I loved being able to see the Mediterranean Sea from Park Guell. 


This is the view of  Park Guell from the courtyard.
   
                                                                       







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I saw this looking up from the courtyard
La Pedrera was a very enjoyable place to visit. Gaudi got payed design an apartment building for wealthy people. Inside La Pedrera you can see many apartments, but the thing that catches your eye is the giant hole at the top. The space in the roof is used to make the courtyard feel open, and it very much did. During the tour I learned that Gaudi related a lot of his work to nature. For example, the attic in La Pedrera is shaped like a snake skeleton.

The best part about La Pedrera was when we got to go on the roof for a fantastic light show. The light show was about nature, because that was Gaudi's inspiration. I also loved the riveting music that went along with the show.





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Sagrada Familia is the most detailed place I have ever seen. The first thing you see when you walk in is a rainbow of stained glass on the 150 foot high ceiling. All different colors of blue and red stained glass are on the sides of the wall. But what I loved most was the outside of  Sagrada Familia. Statues of angles and lambs were carefully carved out on the front.

My favorite thing to do in Sagrada Familia was go to the highest tower and see the view from there. I was taller than every building I could see at the top. I was very glad that I got to go up there until I learned our down. A steep spiral staircase was the way down, and I was a little scarred I was going to fall down the middle. But after what seemed like forever we finally got to the bottom. There I learned some interesting facts about Sagrada Famila

The construction for the church began in 1882, but just one year later Guadi took over leadership of the project. Sadly, Antoni Gaudi died on June tenth 1920,  however the work continues and is planned to be finished in 2026.

This is the front of Sagrada Familia.  Amazing right!
I had to walk down this staircase!!


























Have you ever been to Barcelona?


If so,  have you seen any Gaudi buildings?


If you haven't been there would like to go?