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August 27 Chapel Of Bones - Capela dos Ossos- Evora, Portugal In many bone chapels, or catacombs, the bones are just strewn arounnd, hardly serving any purpose. However at the Capela dos Ossos, the purpose of the bones is carved into the entry way, "Nos ossos que aqui estamos pelos vossos esperamos", meaning "Our bones that are here awaits yours!". Seems so scary yet so profound, the meaning : literally dripping from the bones. The 16th century monks who built the Chapel of Bones wanted visiters to contemplate the rather transient nature of life, and they used a rather macabre sense of humour in bringing the point home.
This Chapel is inside the Igreja de Sao Francisco in Evora Portugal. The walls and the central piers are lined with human skulls and bones bedded in cement. Inside the dimly lit chapel, it takes a moment to realise that the interior walls amd pillars supporting the arched ceiling are composed entirely of neatly stacked leg bones, arm bones and skulls. Once the shock of this realisation subsides, we begin to appriciate the almost comical sights of hundreds of skulls lined up jaw to cranium, to make borders around the sections of vaulted ceiling.
A statue of Jesus and an ornate gilded altar are overshadowed by the Chapel's most gruesome decoration: two desiccated corpses hanging bizarrely on a side wall. They are the bodies of a man and a small child which are several centuries old, but there are still skin and shreds of clothing clinging to their pathetic frames. The story goes, that the man was a wife abuser and his little son was just as disrespectful to his mother. The man finally beat his wife to death, but before she succumbed, she put a curse on her husband and her child. She declared that they would soon follow her in death, but, since they were so evil, even Hell would not accept them. As predicted, the evil pair died. When they were to be buried, the ground mysteriously turned hard as rock, and their graves could not be dug. So, the monks took their bodies and put them on permanent display in the Chapel, as warning to other wife abusers and bad children. The legends shows the Franciscan monks to have been feminists way ahead of their time. In recognition of this, local women engaged to be married cut off their hair and place the braids at the Chapel entrance, making a symbolic sacrifice of their girlhood in suppplication of a happy marriage. This custom continues today, with several fresh braids on display.
Now all this may just be rumours, for the truth is far less romantic; They were denizens of local cemetries facing eviction. Eveora went through a building boom in the late 1400s. Noblemen from Lisbon, less than 100 miles away, found that the area was good for hunting. They invited their friends to vaccation in their hunting lodges, and before long all the glitterati from the capital were buying up huge tracts of land, on which they built, large country estates. The local monks worried about the rampant construction encroaching on the area's burial grounds. They dug up the remains as a protective measure, and decided they would not only keep the bones safe within the church, but use them to glorify God as well. And so the chapel was built, as a place of meditation and prayer for the Franciscans. This Chapel is indeed a chilling display of imagination that no words can describe.
Just opposite the evil man the evil child you would find a poem which reads:
Where are you going in such a hurry traveller?
So little do you reflect on death:
If by chance you glance at this place,
Stop..... for the sake of your journey,
The more you pause, the further on your journey you will be. May 17 Seville, Spain. Flamenco in general, consists of three artistic elements: the singing ( cante), the dancing (bailla), and the guitar ( guitarra). One cannot leave Seville without seeing a flamenco show. Though there are many interesting places to see in Seville, it is the flamenco show that is fascinating.
Although mass media has brought Flamenco to the world stage, at its heart it has always been and will always be an intimate form of music. To hear authentic flamenco, I heard you have to be with a small group of friends, at midnight , somewhere in the south of Spain, where there is nothing around but the voice, the guitar and the body of the dancer moving in the moonlight : sounds pretty romantic, well that is Spain for you.
Now I would like to mention about the special flamenco shoes. Women have to wear a well- reinforced pump with a strong two inch heel and a strap across the ankle, with small nails driven into the heel and the tip of the toe to make smooth metal surface. For men it is almost the same except , that it has to be in ankle boot form.
It is interesting to note that , the flamenco dance actually finds its origins right here in India. For it was the gypsies who arrived from India around 1425, and they brought with them many songs and dance styles that had strong Indian connections ( especially from the north of India, the Punjab region). At this time the Andalucia, was still under the Arab rule, and along with the jews, the moors, the gypsies were soon to be persecuted by the Catholic monarchs and the inquisition. Everyone was forced to convert to Christianity, and those who refused, were expelled from Spain. The gypsies were subjected to some of the worst atrocities in an attempt to exterminate them as a race. Many laws were passed by various monarchs, which forbid them to do anything with their identity.
They were to stop wearing their style of dresses, stop speaking their language, and stop their wandering and seek steady employment. These laws forced bands of gypsies, moors and jews to take refuge in the treacherous mountains, which were too desolate for the authorities to pursue them.
These people of different cultures lived in relative harmony for many years, and the fusion of their music and dances is what we know today as flamenco.
In the 18th century attitude towards the gypsies changed considerably, which resulted in numerous bands of gypsies descending on the small villages and towns, bringing with them, their exciting seductive music- flamenco. Their mysterious music and stimulating dances were soon to catch the attention of the romantic writers of the 18th and 19th centuries. Stories abound of these strange people performing their wild erotic dances and the harsh unusual tones of their songs.
Soon flamenco clubs called Cafe Cantantes began to spring up in most of the cities, and the most famous was the Cafe Silverio's in Seville, which was the idea of the flamenco singer, Silverio Franconetti.
The cafe cantante period, 1850- 1910, was known as the "Golden Age", but this was also a period of decline of what was originally known as the flamenco art. Many gypsy singers refused to perform in these establishments, forcing a wave of non -gypsy to take to the stage to perform a lighter and milder form of flamenco, the Fandangos, which were Andalucian folk songs.
It is said that the gypsies were very independent bent of mind, and flamenco being very spontaneous, the gypsies simply refused to perform at a set time,and even worse be told what styles they were to sing.
These flamenco cafe became cabaret style clubs, and the original gypsy flamenco suffered as a result. These singers and dancers were no longer in demand, and they were faced with the option of diluting the art and joining the hoards of fandango style singers, or return to their villages to continue their art virtually unnoticed by the outside world.
Many things changed and flamenco kept evolving through ages, going back to its original gypsy influence.
There is an area of land known as the "Holy Trinity" or golden triangle of flamenco, which is thought to be the area where all the major styles of cante jondo ( original flamenco) originated. The points of this triangle are Cadiz, Jerez de la Frontera, and Triana in Seville, and it is believed that this area of land is where the flamenco song began. It is in these areas in Seville, that one can find, that they still hold on dearly to their age old flamenco tradition.
While the fusion boom was going on, there were certain artists like Fosforito and Jose Menes, who refused to commercialise their art, and thankfully cante jondos is even more popular today, and the flamenco festivals that are held all over Andalucia is proof of this. If you have ever listened to a twangy, tinny sounding old guitar, accompanying a gravel, almost out of tune, ancient style of voice, rusty and dry as if straining for its last breath and rhythmed only by the rapping of the knuckles on a table top, then you will have probably witnessed Cante Jondo, which is flamenco in its purest form. If again at some stage, while listening to this ancient song you have felt as though death has passed over the top of you, making your skin tingle and your emotions clash, from joy to sheer excitement, to the depths of sorrow and pain, then you could have also experienced duende.
Flamenco is a name that is used to describe a family of song and dance styles that were created in the huge melting pot of Andalucia, and there are many purists who scorn anything other than pure orthodox flamenco. Whether it the gypsy jondo or the commercial fusion, flamenco can be found in abundance, as today's recording technology has made it more accessible than it was in the beginning. There are many new and young artists, who like their ancestors, are continuing this fantastic art, we all call flamenco.
I must also tell you something about the use of castanets by the flamenco dancers. It is said Spanish gypsies, did not originally use castanets, moving with, "easy, undulating filigranos" ( soft movements of the arms and hands), reflecting their eastern ethinic heritage. The early gypsies felt no need for devices, beyond their own innate, rhythmic hand clapping (palmadas), finger snapping (pitos), clicking of the tongue, and often tapping of a stick (b culo). These sounds were further embellished by the shouts ( grittos), and expressions of animation, that conjured the magic ( duende) of the moment ". However, even though gypsies have taken up the use of castanets, many still play in the primitive way, on the middle finger instead of the thumb. So castanets are not part of the true flamenco, they are an element that has been added to enhance finger snapping.
Castanets are actually a percurssion instrument that are several centuries old and which, as time passed, has become typical of Spanish folk-lore. and in Andalucia it is known as "palillos". The best matrial for making them is wood, the harder the better. However, other materials such as pressed canvas and fiberglass have become more common in the last few years due to good results that they have provided. To play them, the castanet's string must be wrapped around the thumb, and they must be played using the remaining fingers.
These Flamenco shows are of 2 hours duration, and usually starts at 9pm and the next show starts at 11 pm. A free drink of your choice comes with the ticket to the show.
The picts. above are of other interesting places in Sevilla. January 10 Granada : Spain. Granada is the capital city of the province that belongs to the autonomous community of Andalusia. The city is located between the foot of Sierra Nevada (in Spanish Sierra means a mountain range), the highest mountain range of the Iberian peninsula and the shores of the Mediterranean. Thus it has resulted in contradictory climatic conditions in a relatively small area of Granada. So in summer you would find the temperature soaring as high as 40 degree celsieus, whereas, in winter it can dip below zero. There is very little rainfall, so summer in Granada is practically rainfree.
Granada has beautiful and exquisite Moorish quarters, stunning Gothic palaces, and breathtaking natural scenary. It has snow clad mountains on one hand, and on the other hand has the mesmerising sea beckoning people to come and soak themselves in it. So, one can't find fault with their claim that you can Ski in Sierra Nevada in the morning and swim on the coast in the afternoon. Where else can one find such luxury?
Granada's countryside is very beautiful, with its white washed cottages and red terracotta tiles and pretty boxes of plants, with ancient cobbled paths leading through the land of figs, mulberry, almond trees and olive grooves : it is a site that always fascinates me.
The Moors crossed the strait of Gibraltar in 711 and settled in what was then a small visigoth town perched atop the Alhambra hill. They quietly settled down here, erected walls and laid the foundation for the prosperous civilisation that would follow. Granada reached its splendour in 1238, when Mohammed ben Nasar founded the Nasarid dynasty, and the kingdom of Granada stretched from Gibraltar to Murcia. The dynasty had 20 kings until King Boabdil was forced to surrender Granada to the Catholic monarchs, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, in 1492. During three centuries a grand and rich Islamic culture flourished, leaving Granada with architectural marvels of the caliber of the Alhambara, declared a World Heritage Site, along with the Generalife and the Albaicin.
Nasarid Palace Of Alhambra : It is built on top of a hill overlooking the rest of the city of Granada. It was built during the Nasarid dynasty with the intention of creating a paradise on Earth. Materials used to built this palace are very ordinary, ( plaster, timber, and tiles ) yet they have been put together magnificently. The Alhambra monument includes the Casa Reales, the Alcazba, the Palace of Carlos V, and the Generalife Gardens. The Casa Reales is broken into many rooms and patios that are intricately decorated with Moorish motif. Of all the rooms and patios the most beautiful ones are : Sala de los Abencerrajes, Sala de los Reyes, Sala de las dos Hermanas, Palacio del Partal, Salon de Emajadores, Patio de Arrayanes, Patio de los Leones ( this is the most beautiful in the entire complex), though when we visited it was undergoing some repairs so we couldn't really have a good look at it.
Patio de los Leones : The Fountain of Lions, placed in the center of the Patio, is one of the most genuine gems of the Alhambra complex. It is an alabaster basin supported by 12 white marble lions, emblems of strength and courage.
As I mentioned earlier it is under restoration, and would be ready for proper public viewing only in 2008.
The story goes that these 12 marble lions represent the hours of the day, the months of the year, and the signs of the zodiac. Legend claims that water flowed from the mouth of a different lion each hour of the day. The courtyard is lined with arcades supported by 124 slender marble columns. It is so beautiful you feel as if they are made of lace, so intricate and delicate the patterns are. You can stand there for long time looking at those marvelous pillars, the effect is really mesmerising. The loud call of the guide or the husband at this point can be quite jarring.
This was the heart of the palace, the most private section where the Sultan enjoyed his harem, which included both male and female beauties.
There are various halls with richly decorated honeycomb ceilings and domes, which are proof of the finest example of the Spanish Islamic architecture in the world. Then there is the famous hall where the sultan called his rivals of a Banquet, and murdered all of them in one go. Then there is the palace of Carlos V, which although looks beautiful yet seems totally out of place in such a setting. Mercifully, the Emperor's attempts to replace this aesthically Moorish palace with Gothic edifice were curtailed by frequent earthquakes and lack of funds. The Generalife : Was built in 13th century to overlook the Alhambara and set in 30 lush hectares. It was used by te Sultans as their summer palace or retreat to spend their time in the company of their numerous concubines. The highlights of Generalife is its gardens, which though beautiful has undergone lots of channges over the years. A long pool with rows of water jets makes graceful arches above it, with lots of plants and beautiful cypress hedges (which however were not used in Moorish gardens but have been added ) and countless fountains makes this garden a real treat to the eye and to the soul. I believe the famous American writer and former ambassador of Spain Washington Irwing took up residence in the palace in 1829. It was here that he wrote his best- selling "Tales of the Alhambra" which brought attention of the world to Granada, its romanticism, which still seems to draw people from all parts of the world. Well if you want to discover the rich and interesting history, experience the vibrant culture, and natural beauty of southern Spain, then I recommend you make it a point to include a visit to Granada, in your trip to Spain.
December 20 Toledo : Spain.Come and travel with me to other interesting parts of Spain.
Toledo.
Toledo is one of the richest historical and cultural cities in Spain. Situated south of Madrid, the distance between the two capitals ( Toledo was the former capital of Spain until 1560 when Phillip II moved the capital to Madrid) is approximately about one and half to two hours. The climate is very hot in summer and very cold in winter, and there is always sunshine and very little rain. In the north east, the valley of the River Tagus is flanked by a series of mountain ranges; to the south is stretch of terrain abounding in game. To the east the area opens out to region of La Mancha, which is marked by its characteristically flat expanses and towns so graphically portrayed in the works of Cervantes. The fertile plains are peppered with windmills made famous in Miguel de Cervantes' "Don Quixote". Imagine passing through this city, which brought back memories of this beautiful novel.
Toledo is one of Europe's most important and beautifully preserved medieval cities. When you walk the ancient streets, you feel as if you have stepped into another world, in an era when the Arabs, Jews and Christians lived together in peace making their mark on this historic city which was once the capital of Spain. Toledo has been declared a national monument by the Spanish government and a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
You reach it by crossing the impressive 14th century San Martin's Bridge over the River Tagus and enter through one of the huge stone gateways in the old defense walls. Once you enter you see that the city is filled with ancient churches, convents, synagogues, and buildings with a definite moorish stamp on them, and many buildings housing priceless works of art and antiquities. The impressive alczar fortress with its four towers dominating the skyline for miles around. The magnificent Cathedral of Toledo, built between 13th and 15th centuries, is the most impressive of the Gothic architecture in the city.
The famous artist El Greco made Toledo is home. El Greco was the greatest Spanish painter of the 16th century ( since he was from Greece, he was given the name El Grceo, by the Spanish people : the name which he hated ). He lived and died in Toledo which is home to some of his works including the famous, "The Burial of the Count Of Orgaz" depicting a 14th century Toledan nobleman lying in his grave. The painting hangs in the 14th century Chapel of Santo Tome, above the count's tomb.
Toledo also has an international reputation for its beautifully hand-crafted swords. The city has specialised in sword making since medieval times and continues to produce the finest swords, armour, replicas and collectables.There is factory where you can see the artists working and also learning this art. You can have a look at the shop where they sell all items produced in that factory. They have beautiful carved knives, pendants with chain, bracelets and bangles, earrimgs, photo frames and many eye- catching creations all plated in 22carot gold. Toledo is also very famous for its marzipans you can check them out if you are in the mood for something sweet. There are also shops selling unique wooden furnitures and hand-made laces.
Be prepared to do a lot of walking everywhere in Spain, we didn't mind it for it kept us warm in the freezing cold of October.
To absorb the spirit of Toledo completly, it is necessary to know every nook and corner to wander through its narrowest little streets, to look out over the Tagus and let ones eye lose themselves in the wide horizans.
We happened to come across some actors who were basking under the sun, taking a short break from their shooting of some period film. I t was fun to be photographed with them. December 08 Tibidabo Mountain : BarcelonaMount Tibidabo
The Tibidabo Mountain is one of the must see in the list of Barcelona. It is one of landmarks of this beautiful city for a number of reasons. First of all, the emblematic church of the same name is located on its peak. Secondly, the amusement park, constructed in 1899, is the oldest park in Spain, and the second oldest in Europe. One can find the old and new additions of all the scary and thrilling rides together in this park. One of the most unique items for example, is an exact replica of the airplane that was used for the first flight between Barcelona and Madrid in 1928.
The park also includes the Tibidabo Museum of Automatoms, located in an old theatre that dates back to 1909. It houses a collection of old mechanical toys that worked by inserting a coin, which were common at the European fairs in the past. The museum is amongst the most complete in its genre, especially because the pieces are in such excellant condition, and the collection includes many peculiar mechanical toys pertaining to that era. That's why I suppose, it is not strange to find many shops having such mechanical toys on display for sale all over Spain.
Tibidabo (495m/1650ft)is where you should go for you final look at Barcelona. On a clear day, ( most days in Barcelona are clear) you can see the mountainsof Majorca ( the largest and the most famous of the Balearic Islands ). Reached by train, tram, and cable car, Tibidabo is the most popular Sunday excursion in Barcelona. November 27 Las Rambalas & Barcelona 's Port Vell.The walkway which you see in the center of the picture is Port Vell and behind us is the walkway across the
marina to the Barcelona aquarium and the IMAX Theatre. This picure of Barcelona was taken in October, and you can see the sun shining brightly. ( beware it is very cold). The same picture also shows part of the Barcelona cruise terminal. You can also see the monument to Christopher Columbus (Colon) in the background which also marks the foot of the Southern most end of the Rambalas. The Christopher monument is placed at the site he arrived in 1493 after his discoverry of America the year before. Columbus was presumaly born in Genoa, Italy. He first moved to Portugal and later settled in Spain. Nevertheless in the 19th century Columbus was considered a Catalan - some historians still claimed he was born in Catalonia, hence the monument for the famous explorer in Barcelona. The 7m high statue shows a standing Columbus pointing towards the sea. The column can be visited by a lift and one can also have a beautiful view of the entire city. There is a pricey mall and resturants and a 5 star hotel too in Port Vell.
Las Rambalas & Port Vell.
If you want to understand Barcelona you need to head to the shores to see where the action is at. One lookaround will tell you people love their boats ad yachts here -- there is rarely a piece of horizon that isn't interrupted by a mast. As a tourist, this a great place to go for a leisurely walk. As you come to Port Vell - or Old Harbour, you will see a large promenade, where you will find many tourists and locals walking at any time of the day. It is really very relaxing to watch the boats pass by as you keep walking, basking under the warm sun ( for in Oct. it is pretty cold. Now don't ask me how I am wearing only a light jacket). You could also take boat ride.
The bridge opens side ways whenever a sailing boat has to enter or to leave the marina, a curious and interesting spectacle to watch if you happen to be there at that time.
Las Rambalas means in Spanish and Catalan an intermittent water flow, and is derived from the Arabic 'Ramla'which means 'sandy riverbed'.
This colourful strip of Barcelona divides the old town from the new. Once up on a time the city wall stood by the banks of a stream running through the center of the old city. The space created with the wall's removal in the 19th century, the riverbed and existing paths combined to create this wide avenue : thus the name Las Rambalas. Any thing you want you will find it here: it has street performers, break- dance perfomers, artists doing portraits, flower sellers, newspaper shops, street cafes and resturants, pet shops, gift shops, but everything comes for a price. Nothing is cheap. There are mime artists, puppeteers with skeleton dancing to fast music, and living statues of Flamico dancers, and others, they all look so good. The avenue is divided into 5 sections each dealing with a particular business. You notice how, unaware you are of the time, because you are busy soaking up all excitement and variety in the atmosphere : for you don't want to miss a single thing that is going on there. It is simply fascinating. And when your stomach growls with hunger you drop into one of numerous resturants, and while you wait for your order to come you taste the local extremely tasty and cheap wine cocktail called Sangria.
By the way, while we are talking about sangria I would like to mention a few facts about it. I read somewhere that to the Spanish sangria is a party drink, and their main idea is to get drunk cheaply. There is nothing special about the recipe, it is very simple to make a perfect sangria. All you need is the cheapest red wine you can get in the super-market, the cheapist spirits, in the supermarket ( brandy, whiskey,gin anything will do) and the cheapest fruits you find lying around, waiting to be thrown out, apples, oranges, peaches, pineapple, they are kind of mushy and too much effort to eat, well those are the type of fruits perfectly suitable for use.
Lots of sugar and cinnamon is added to mask the taste of stale fruits. Here is the recipe to make good sangria:
A bottle of cheap red wine ( but not so cheap that it tastes bitter)
A similar amount of lemonade
A glass of liquor ( brandy would be fine)
An apple, an orange, a peach ( if you have or any other fruits mentioned above)
5- 10oz of
sugar and a sprinkle of
cinnamon
Preparation:
Chop the fruits and soak them in liquor overnight.
Next day pour the wine, the liquor & fruit and lemonade into a punch bowl and add lots and lots of ice.
Add half the sugar and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Taste. If it doesn't taste sweet enough, add more sugar, it can take quite a lot of sugar. But if you like it less sweet thats also fine. I have tasted sangria in different places in Spain they all taste different, either it could be because of the fruits they have used or also because of less sugar in some places. But they all tasted good.
BTW sangria can also be made using white wine.
While you are in Las Rambala don't forget to visit the " Boqueria Market". This is where you can find fresh and colourful display of vegetables, fruits, juices with crushed ice in different natural colours, different kinds of nuts and the famous Zaafraan or safforn and people who are die hard non-vegetarian can get to see every part of the animals dispalyed. To me it really looked terrible, but to a non-veg., it might be mouth- watering.
November 24 Park Guell, BarcelonaPark Guell is another very interesting place to visit in Barcelona. Once you enter the park, the unusual use of materials and plants throughout the park catch and delight the eye, making Park Guell one of the greatest parks in the world. its craftmanship is simply mind - blowing. It is also a place which offers oppurtunities to engage in different activities, including strolling, people watching, taking the dog for walks. jogging/ running, eating at the cafes, meeting friends or just whiling away your time.
The park was built between 1900- 1914 and was commissioned by Eusebi Guell who wanted to create a stylish park for the aristocrats. Guell park contains amazing stone structures, stunning tiling and fascinating buildings. The Dragon at the entrance is adorned in beautiful coloured tiling and there is something hypnotic and magical about it : everybody crowds around it to have a picture taken with it. Laid out on a hill with breathtaking views of Barcelona, the Park Guell was Antoni Gaudi's most ambitoius project after the Sagrda Familia Church. It can only be described as the most psychedelic of Spain attractions.
You would see amazing walk ways supported by twisting rock pillars that seem to be growing out of the ground like tree trunks. Although, they would seem rather irregular in shape , as yoou walk you would also feel they are very natural and beautiful. Gaudi was always greatly influenced by nature and used them liberally in all his works.
At the top of Guell Park is a terraced area from where one can get a wonderful view of the park and the Barcelona city. Here you would also find multi-coloured tiled seating curving round the terrace : the vibrant colours and beautiful patterns are truely amazing.
There are so many things to admire in Park Guell, that, only a personal visit would do it justice : for no words are enough to describe its breathtaking and unique beauty. If you are visiting Park Guell you must be prepared for a 20 minute walk, the last 200 m walk is up a steep hill. If you have difficulties you can take a taxi up to the park. Otherwise the walk up the hill is really nice and pleasant. You must keep aside half a day for the visit to the Park. You'll find bus information at the tourist information office at Placa de Catulanya. Be prepared to see an absolutely stunning resemblance to Hansel and Grettal or Alice in Wonerland type of structures everywhere, you would almost feel like you are in some other world : a world of fairy tales. November 21 Barcelona and its famous buildingsSee the intricate mosaic patterns on the floor : they look like beautiful carpets. The mural on the wall too is amazing : It made of coloured tiles in mossaic pattern .
The Casa Mila : Barcelona Spain
This is one of the craziest building built by the so called crazy or brilliant artist called Antoni Gaudi. Gaudi has taken stone and moulded it like lava, achieving pure drama. One can spend hours inside this building listening to an audio guide, looking with wonder at the doors, ceilings, the light passing through various opennings, marvelling at the logic behind each and everything : it is indeed a mind- blowing experience, one has to see it to believe it. Casa Mila is rather hard to describe, some say, it resembles a honeycombed structure of a beehive, some say it resembles, in texture and design, a porous sand castle nearing collapse, and some feel that it definitely looks the dwelling of the famous "Flintstones". Well each to his/her own interpretation, for it is like a modern art, where anyone one see anything and everything might seem right.
The Casa Mila was more commonly known as La Pedrera ( the stone quarry), was completed in 1911 and recieved less than enthusiastic response. The rippled stone facade said to have been inspired by the mountain Montserrat, curves round the street corner, while the cave- like balconies seems to simply flow into one another. The wrought- iron balconies were individually designed and crafted by Gaudi's frequent collaborator, Josep Maria Jujol. Not one balcony is designed in the same manner, yet they blend so well together. What was once looked down by the people of Barcelona, now holds a place of great pride.
Whatever Gaudi's inspiration and intent, the world community recognized the Casa Mila's pioneering design and the sculpted apartment building became one of 812 UNESCO World Heritage Sights in 1984
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In this building Gaudi created a paradox : an artificial but natural building which was simultaneously summary of all the forms that he has since become famous for. Today Casa Mila is one of the handful of Barcelona's attractions. Remember to visit the strange roof top " chimney park" which is especially beautiful with the late
afternoon sun slanting over the city. All Antoni Gaudi's buildings look like they have been made out of melted wax. November 16 Barcelona : Spain
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