15th August : Barcelona

** Apparently today is a public holiday. Woops! I thought I was so careful not to hit holidays but here is one, so I am going to use the day to my advantage. 

As most, if not all institutions are closed I intend to walk around and get a feel for the city. My plan is to walk through the old Gothic area and then to swing over to view the Sagrada Família building. I am not planning to go in, and I won't pass comment on the structure until I view it and do some research on it.

So here is me about to head off on my first walk about day in Barcelona. 

The building which dates back to the 19th century, has this elevator. Technically it can hold four people. I described it yesterday. Here is a photo of the interior, double doors and the seat.

** By the way, and I was totally unaware of this,  Barcelona has its own version of the Arc D'Triumph. Interesting building - A Spanish copy of the Napoleonic copy in Paris, that was a copy of the 4th century Constantine Arch in Rome, that itself was a copy of the 1st century Arch of Titus who built it to celebrate the destruction of Judea and the 2nd Temple.

** I woke this morning to a simple question posed by someone who is following my blog - "how am I going?"

 I though I would share my  response.

So far so good. My 70 year old, not so fit, body is holding out way better than I might ever have imagined, and my mind is ever expanding. I would not have missed this for the world. 

Occasionally I miss close company to talk to, to reflect over what I am viewing or what I am thinking, but overall I have found that I make good company for myself.

** Walking around Barcelona.  The general architecture and ambience of Barcelona appears to me to be uniform across the north of Spain, at least in the four cities I have visited. If I were an architect or a local from each of the four cities, I am sure there would be disagreement with this previous statement. 

Here are some scenes from my walk to and through the Gothic section.

Again the Magen David above the main entry to the bascillica. 

This is a remnant of the Roman fort in Barcelona.

A place named for the great hero of Italian unification, Garibaldi.

The Sagrada Família 

The construction of this building started in March 1882, and as of today is near completion but not finalised. The original design was taken over by the architect & engineer, Gaudi, in 1883 and he envisioned combining Gothic and curvilinear Art Nouveau forms. (Wikipedia)

As there is a charge to enter the building, and as I would never help pay for the erection of a church in any form, I just wandered around the exteria and marvelled at all the fast food businesses and tourist operators and trinket sellers who are already cashing in. Thanks to McDonald's, Ben & Jerry's, Five Guys, to just name a few.

What do I think of it? Yes it is a massive architectural achievement. However my thoughts are that it is loud, flamboyant & decadent. I am quite sure that within a few years miracles will have taken place and the building will become one of the Roman Church's cash cows. I can see why some in the architectural world have nicknamed this Picasso's Nightmare.

Another monument to Columbus 

I had worked my way to the port and could not but notice the very tall and prominent pedestal facing out to sea.  I have already had my say concerning the role in history of this man and his legacy.