Today is our self proclaimed day of Gaudi. We purposely packed a lot of Gaudi into one day so the rest of the trip can be less structured. So here we go!

Gaudi site #1: We began with a commute to Park Güell — a short subway ride and then 15 min walk up lots of steep, steep, steep (did I say steep?) stairs and escalators to a park, and then within the park is the protected Park Güell space. Park Güell was designed by Gaudi as a neighborhood with 60 plots for Barcelona’s wealthy in the early 1900s. Gaudi had a vision for residential spaces and a central market, but after his business partner Eusebi Guell passed away, his estate donated the space to the city. In 1984 UNESCO declared it a Cultural Heritage Site.

Even though it was morning, the sun was hot. It got increasingly crowded as the morning went on, and the kids were more interested in fighting over the new camera than sketching with the books and colored pencils we had dragged along for the trip. This was a great place to start the day, in that it showed the way Gaudi viewed the interaction between nature and his architecture. At the end of it all, Miss M said she especially liked the hibiscus flowers and D liked the serpent fountain that he sketched.

Back on the subway we went to the Sagrada Familia area for lunch at “Chill Bar” which had no A/C, so not really chill! We were all sooooo hot. Between that and the American music playlist, we we’re ready to go to church!

Gaudi site #2:  Sagrada Familia was impressive and we had a nice audio tour that provided the highlights of the interior and exterior. Amazing that it’s still a construction site with the altar and two largest steeples incomplete. The elegant interior is like a forest with the columns representing trees. M We took an elevator up the “Nativity” facade for some nice views, and then back down the winding stairs.

Gaudi site #3: Casa Batllo — on the same block as our place. Huge crowds around it so we’ll go inside another day. 

After some gelato and a siesta we headed to a quick tapas dinner at El National, a recommendation from our friends, before heading to…

Gaudi site #4: La Pedrera also know as Casa Mila –we had 9pm tickets for a tour of the building, including a laser light show on the roof. La Pedrera was Gaudi’s last completed work (he knew he wasn’t going to live to see Sagrada finished) and is considered his finest project.

Ended the night with some gelato, D’s first cup of frutti di bosco (his favorite flavor) since we were in Italy four years ago.

A full day of Gaudi and so impressed with his vision, his concept of bridging nature and man, with respect and love of God.