Casa Batló, Barcelona, Spain

Casa Batló is a modernist building designed by Antonio Gaudi and built in the beginning of the 20th century. It's themed around a calm sea- looking through some of the windows gives you the sensation of being underwater- but some features, like the mushroom fireplace or the representation of the backbone of the dragon, slain by St. George, topping the building, don't quite follow the theme.
Gaudi's planning was well ahead of his time, as the building addresses sustainability issues, like energy saving and recycling of materials. Gaudi also planned his buildings to the smallest detail, including furniture, handrails, door knobs and, of course, the famous tiles. 

Opening hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., every day.
Entrance fee (standard): €22.5
How to go: Passeig de Gracia metro station.









Local: Dreta de l'Eixample, Barcelona, Espanha

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Church of Santa Maria de Belém, Lisbon, Portugal

Image
The church of Santa Maria de Belém originated from the expansion,  ordered by Henry the Navigator in the 15th century,  of a previous hermitage built on the site. The new church was trusted to the Order of Christ- of which Henry the Navigator was the Grand Master- to help the seamen that passed by Belém, as the hermitage had done before. In 1501, by order of King D. Manuel I, the Monastery of the Hieronymites started being built and the small church was totally remodelled in the Manueline and Renaissance styles. It was the king's wish that the church should become a pantheon for the dynasty (Avis-Beja) started by him, and that it continued to help the travellers passing through Belém. Like the Monastery, the church was significantly restored in the 19th century. Inside the church are the tombs of several historical figures: Luís de Camões, one of Portugal's greatest poets who lived in the 16th century, Vasco da Gama, the first navigator to go to In...
Read more

Wax Museum, Barcelona, Spain

Image
The Wax Museum of Barcelona was created in 1973 and exhibits over 360 figures of artists, scientists, kings, politicians and other famous people. If you're travelling with children this is almost always a popular choice. Opening hours : Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 7.30 p.m, lunch break from 1.30 p.m. to 4 p.m.;  Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays 11 a.m. to 8.30 p.m, lunch break from 2 p.m. to 4.30 p.m.; Summer 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Entrance fee (standard): €15
Read more

The Gates of Mdina, Malta

Image
Mdina walls have three gates: the Mdina Gate, the Greeks Gate and the Gharreqin Gate. The Main Gate, also known as Vilhena gate, was built in 1724, under Grandmaster Antonio Manoel de Vilhena, who in 1722 ordered the renovation and restoration of Mdina. The courtyard behind the main gate was demolished to make way for the Vilhena Palace and a new gate had to be built, a few meters to the left of the old one, which was walled up. The Gate has reliefs of Saint Agatha, Saint Paul and Saint Publius, the three patron saints of Malta. The Greeks Gate is the oldest of the three Gates, dating back to medieval times. It was also renovated in 1724 when an outer portal was built in the baroque style. It is known as the Greeks Gate because a small community of Greeks once lived by the gate. For many years it was the only gate by which the slaves were allowed to enter Mdina. The Gharreqin Gate is the less known and most recent of the three Gates. It was excavated in...
Read more

Hersonissos Roman Fountain, Greece

Image
The Roman Fountain of Hersonissos can be found on the seafront, in the middle of shops and tavernas. It has the shape of a pyramid and is covered by mosaics depicting maritime motifs, such as fishermen, boats, sea serpents, squids, ducks and fish. The fountain dates from the 4th century, when Hersonissos was an important Roman harbour, and is one of the many Roman remains that can be found in the area, many of which, unfortunately, cannot be visited.
Read more