Just got back today from a great trip to Barcelona this weekend! My friend Jack and I took on the city head first walking an average of 13 miles a day! We made sure to see La Sagrada Familia Basilica, Parc Montjuic, Barri Gotic, Camp Nou, and so much more! It was a jam packed weekend and tiring of course, but definitely worth it.
Since I have so many pictures, I will keep this short, but I would like to talk a bit about two of the highlights of the weekend.
First, the Sagrada Familia Basilica was nothing short of impressive and elaborate. The outside, though still under construction, demands your attention with the four spires shooting towards the sky and various scenes of the Passion of Christ on the reliefs on one side, and a layered, textured backside which calls you to stand and look with awe. I would saw the amazement stopped there, but the inside, looking very polished and seemingly finished, was surreal. The natural sunlight peering its was through many bright colored stained glass windows reflected various hues all around the basilica. The high, ornate ceilings, like the Cathedral in Seville, immediately makes you feel small and in the presence of greatness. These two aspects, the color and the high ceilings, combined with the futuristic feel of the architecture transports you to a futuristic world of prayer and faith. There were some designated quiet areas where one could pray or just sit and take in all of the glorious architecture. One thing which I found interesting too was that the main doors of the Basilica have the gospels inscribed into the rock, and the main doors are only open (I believe) for Easter Mass procession to honor the resurrection of Christ.
The second highlight of the trip was going to the FC Barcelona game versus Sevilla at Camp Nou stadium. We did not realize that our tickets were in the rowdy, die-hard Barcelona fans who led cheers, waved flags for Barça and Catalonian Independence, and stood the entire game in support of the team. It was so much fun. Since all the cheers were in Catalan, we could not pick them up that easily, but were still able to stay with the chants and learn. The coolest and most interesting thing though was when seven or eight huge flags were flown over our heads for a chant of independence for Catalonia. Of course everyone around us was from Barcelona or Catalonian, so we were the odd ones out by far, but still it was interesting to experience that part of the Barcelona culture too, as all around the city you can find Catalonia independence flags. Also it was a plus that Barcelona pulled out a win! Definitely an unforgettable experience.
Anyway! Here are some photos from the weekend:
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| Beautiful Arch in the Barri Gotic |
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| Just a cool buidling! |
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| Interesting Modern sculpture by the harbor |
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| Stopped by St Joseph's Market to grab some lunch! |
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| Decided not to get the 120 euro ham... |
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| Mirador de Cristobal Colón |
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| View from the tram ride above the city! |
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| Some cool sand art on the beach :D |
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| Hospital de Sant Pau |
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| Front views of Basilica de la Sagrada Familia |
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| The seeming "melting" backside of the Basilica |
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| Sculpture of the Last Supper positioned on the front of the Basilica |
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| The last scenes of the Stations of the Cross positioned right above the doors |
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| On the door with countless lines of the gosples, Jesus' name can be spotted in gold. |
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| On the front of the Basilica you can find an Alpha and an Omega sign, | |
| reminding us that Christ is the beginning and end of all life and salvation. |
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| Another couple of views of the back side of the Basilica |
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| The towering ceilings of the inside instantly grab your attention and are awe-inspiring |
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| The beautiful stain glass windows allow light to filter through and | | |
| seem to make the whole basilica radiate with color |
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| An example of the sun peering its way through the windows |
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| There is a constant feeling of new and futuristic architecture meeting the old styles |
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| Barcelona Cathedral |
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| Headed to a jazz club in Barri Gotic and listened to some pretty amazing Spaniards play some blues |
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| View from Parc Güiell |
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| Some pictures from insdie Parc Gu |
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| A street combo playing in Park Güiell |
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| A little taste of the Gaudi architecture! |
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| Views from the Catalonia Art Museum in Parc Montjuic |
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| The Barcelona Olympic stadium |
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| Of course I can´t foget the other highlight of the trip! Here are some pictures from the Barcelona game versus Sevilla! |
This video is of the lead up and Messi's free kick to equalize the score against Seville!
This video is of the Catalonian Independence chants that we got roped into... very interesting to experience first hand the complicated issue.
Hope you guys enjoyed! More to come soon.
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