8.2 Miles Walked
19,640 Steps Walked
Today was a big day. We did so much, but the part I am still processing is the Basílica de la Sagrada Familia. That place is just truly unreal.
But first, we struck off from our apartment on a self guided walking tour I found online. It was a coincidence that the tour started out at the Arc de Triomph which was just a few blocks from our apartment. This arc is very different than in Paris. Much smaller and more decorative.
The Arc was at the end (or beginning?) of a long walkway which was part of a large central city park called Ciutadella Park.
You could pay street vendors to call the green parakeets to land on you. We didn’t, but it was interesting to watch this family do it.
After walking through the park, we went back out onto the street. This street was lined with these blooming red trees.
In the park were a few botanical gardens. This one was the largest. Instead of glass covering the structure, there were wooden slats.
This one had the more traditional glass.
After walking a bit more, we happened upon this museum. It was free to enter so we decided to explore. We are very glad we did! This place was incredible. This huge old structure used to be a market. At one point just a few years ago, they wanted to turn it into a concert venue, but as it was going through the zoning and planning process, they began digging and found a whole buried ancient city! So they turned the whole place into an exposed and ongoing archaeological dig. They do tours for €2.50. We didn’t have time to go today, but I think we will be back another day.
After we left the museum, we began walking toward the basilica. We had 2:00 tickets.
We found an Argentinian restaurant close to the basilica called Papanato. This place had amazing food! Truly the best empanadas we have ever had.
Caleb got only pickle “butts” on his sandwich. :D
The amazing coffee continues.
And finally, we enter the Basílica. Whoa! I’m not even sure I should try to describe this place except to say, I love rainbows and as you will see, the windows emphasize rainbows in a way I have never seen in a church before. The church was designed by Antoni Gaudí. It is still not complete even though it began in 1882.
The amazing coffee continues.
And finally, we enter the Basílica. Whoa! I’m not even sure I should try to describe this place except to say, I love rainbows and as you will see, the windows emphasize rainbows in a way I have never seen in a church before. The church was designed by Antoni Gaudí. It is still not complete even though it began in 1882.
So incredibly unusual…
The church is basically sitting on this turtle. Poor guy.
One side of the church was warmer colors and the other was cooler colors.
The altar. The organ is temporary and undersized for the church. They plan to add a very large organ in the next few years.
The light reflecting on the ceiling from the windows.
In addition to a guided tour, we also bought passes (weeks ago as this whole place sells out) to go up into the Nativity tower. You take an elevator up and stairs down.
Great views of Barcelona!
Up in the tower you had a more close up view of the ornamental decoration on top of some of the spires.
The stairs down…oh good, another tight spiral staircase.
This is how Gaudi actually determined that the structure would hold. He built this model with weights depicting the church upside down. I don’t completely comprehend the math and engineering, but this somehow proved the reliability and stability of the structure. It was a fascinating model to look at.
Whew! We got through all of this pictures! It was just too beautiful and every angle seemed so different and more beautiful if that’s possible.
Great views of Barcelona!
Up in the tower you had a more close up view of the ornamental decoration on top of some of the spires.
The stairs down…oh good, another tight spiral staircase.
This is how Gaudi actually determined that the structure would hold. He built this model with weights depicting the church upside down. I don’t completely comprehend the math and engineering, but this somehow proved the reliability and stability of the structure. It was a fascinating model to look at.
Whew! We got through all of this pictures! It was just too beautiful and every angle seemed so different and more beautiful if that’s possible.
After leaving the Basílica, we walked to the Barcelona Cathedral. There is a market here that Evan wanted to check out.
While they walked around the market, Matt, Cameron, Caleb and I sat down at a cafe patio and enjoyed some drinks and people watching.
Grace and Evan found a lady who took pictures with an old fashioned camera and developed the pictures on site.
It was fun to watch the process.
She was a really fun lady.
It turned out good!
She keeps the negatives for an art exhibit she is putting together.
Evan bought three100 year old postcards at the market. So they went to find a building depicted in one of the postcards. Success! ( They actually went once and only took a picture of the building. We sent them back to get a picture of them with the building and postcard. :)
Cameron wanted Italian tonight, so he found this restaurant which was on our walk home. What a great find! We had the best dinner yet! The food was great, but it was more than the food. It was the cozy atmosphere and I think we decided everyone who worked there was A) Italian and B) related to each other. I know other Italian restaurants in America say they “treat you like family” but this place really did! We had so many fun interactions with them.
The food! So good.
They took a better picture of us. We ordered three desserts (oy!) tiramisu, rum cake, and something with chocolate. It didn’t really matter at that point. The night was perfect and everything tasted amazing.
And of course, shots of Limoncello at the end for those who could partake!
A quick snapshot of the name of the place…just in case we ever want to come back. Though I wonder if tonight was simply a night that cannot be replicated. The stars aligned and we had the perfect evening.
Good night!
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