First stop: Barcelona
Barcelona was our first stop and the place we stayed the longest (three and half days). For me it was the first immersion in European culture, and at the time, everything was still fresh to us (the cathedrals tended to get a bit old toward the end of the trip). (Click on each image to see the high-resolution version) We stayed in Barri Gotic or the Gothic Quater in the heart of Barcelona. True to its name, this district is the home of the Barcelona Cathedral and has a labyrinth of narrow cobblestone streets.
The cathedral is a magnificent building, perhaps a little spooky at night, especially when the sky is gloomy and omnious.
Barcelona Cathedral
Barcelona Cathedral Ceiling
Barcelona Cathedral Interior
Madonna in Barcelona Cathedral
However, a little tapas which is what Spain is famous for (among other things) will put you in a cheerful mood right away.
Tapas
There are many cathedrals/churches/basilicas in Barcelona (or Spain, or Europe in fact), the following one is the Basilica Santa Maria del Mar ("Our lady of the sea").
Santa Maria del Mar
Contrasting with the dark interiors of cathedrals is the bright mediterranean sun at Barceloneta.
Barceloneta
Barceloneta
Now you cannot travel in Barcelona without seeing the many marks left by Antoni Gaudi, Park Guell being one of these places.
Park Guell
A ceramic ornamentation at Park Guell
Casa Batllo is another Gaudi's creation.
Casa Batllo
There is more Gaudi to come, but let's take a stroll down the lively La Rambla first.
La Rambla
And you cannot stroll down La Rambla without stopping at La Boqueria to see the endless varieties of foods there. The "Jamon", or Spanish ham, is one of Spain's specialties.
Jamon
Meats
There are also many kinds of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Fruits
Fruits and Vegetables
Hot Chilis
Salted fish is another Iberian specialty.
Salted Fish
These -- heads of lamb -- may look a little gruesome, but hey this is Spain.
Lamb Heads
Enough with feasting our eyes, time to feast our stomach at one of the food counters.
Seafood
Back to La Rambla, what can be more colorful and Spanish than these Flamenco fans?
Fans
Carrer de Santa Anna, "our street" during our stay in Barcelona.
Carrer de Santa Anna
You cannot go to Barcelona without visiting the La Sagrada Familia (at least that is what the locals will tell you), the life's work of Antoni Gaudi (in fact, it outlasted Gaudi's life -- it is still unfinished).
La Sagrada Familia
The building is immense inside and out. It is also unique because of Gaudi's detest of straight lines such that even the columns are either bulging or arching.
La Sagrada Familia Interior
La Sagrada Familia Interior
La Sagrada Familia Interior
Sunlight shine through the many stained glass windows to give the interior various colors.
La Sagrada Familia Altar
Stained Glass in La Sagrada Familia
The outside of the building is adorned with numerous motifs, carvings and statues, it is like a pictorial illustration of biblical stories. One can only imagine what it will look like when it is finished.
La Sagrada Familia Motif
La Sagrada Familia Motif
La Sagrada Familia Motif
La Sagrada Familia Motif
Statue outside La Sagrada Familia
Torre Agbar is another unique, but modern, building in Barcelona.
Torre Agbar
On our last day, we cast our eyes down from the hill of Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya over this charming city interwoven with the old and the new.
Barcelona
And some wildlife (bird) pictures.
Yellow-legged Gull
Yellow-legged Gull
Black-headed Gull
Black-headed Gull
Monk Parakeet
Click the following links to go to Next Stop: Granada. Click the image below to return to the index page of 2013 Spain trip: