Graffiti portrait of Picasso & Dalí in Ciutat Vella
Graffiti stencil portrait of Fidel Castro on Carrer Verdi, Gràcia.
One of the many wonderful things about exploring Barcelona is happening across curious portraits of well-known, and not so well-known, people in unexpected places.
Here’s a graffiti portrait of Fidel Castro in Gràcia.
Enjoy discovering graffiti in Barcelona
One of the many wonderful things about exploring Barcelona is happening across curious sculptures in unexpected places.
Here’s a sculpture of a submarine by Josep Maria Subirachs at the junction of Avinguda Diagonal/Carrer Provença and Carrer de Girona.
The sculpture commemorates Narcís Monturiol’s invention of the first submarine, Ictineo II, powered by an engine.
Here’s a detail of the underside:
The Inventor
Narcís Monturiol i Estarriol (b. 1819 — d. 1895) was a curious character, in all senses of the term. He was a Utopian communist and a friend of Ildefons Cerdà, the engineer who designed the Eixample.
The Artist
Josep Subirachs, who died last year, is the same artist responsible for the Passion Facade on the Sagrada Familia, and the large sculpture of inverted steps (Monument to President Macià) installed in Plaça Catalunya.
The nearby bar-restaurant, Morryssom, has a few prints by Subirachs in the downstairs bar.
Here’s a detail from the base of the sculpture:
LINKS:
Here’s a Wikipedia page in English about Ictineo II, the submarine featured above: HERE.
Here’s a Wikipedia page in English about Narcís Monturiol: HERE.
Here’s a Wikipedia page in English about Josep Maria Subirachs: HERE.
Here’s my Spotted by Locals write-up about Morryssom: HERE.
And, here’s a link to an interesting feature about submarines in Barcelona: HERE.
Enjoy discovering sculpture in Barcelona.
One of the many wonderful things about exploring Barcelona is happening across curious sculptures in unexpected places.
Here is a sculpture by Xavier Medina Campeny, a representation of La Colometa (the Pigeon Girl), or Natalia, the main protagonist of Mercè Rodoreda’s novel, In Diamond Square (previously published as In the Time of the Doves).
This powerful, human-sized sculpture is situated in Plaça del Diamant, Gràcia.
Here’s a detail of the pigeons:
Here’s a photo showing something of the context taken from the terraza outside Café Diamant:
LINKS:
Here’s my write-up at Spotted by Locals: HERE.
Enjoy discovering sculpture in Barcelona.
One of the many wonderful things about exploring Barcelona is happening across curious portraits of well-known, and not so well-known, people in unexpected places.
Here’s a graffiti portrait of Che Guevara in Gràcia.
Enjoy discovering graffiti in Barcelona
One of the many wonderful things about exploring Barcelona is happening across curious portraits of well-known, and not so well-known, people in unexpected places.
Here’s a graffiti portrait of the pioneering aviator (or, should that be aviatrix?), Amelia Earhart in Poble Sec.
Enjoy discovering graffiti in Barcelona
One of the many wonderful things about exploring Barcelona is happening across curious portraits of well-known, and not so well-known, people in unexpected places.
Here’s another portrait of Amy Winehouse which appeared on Carrer Mozart during the Festes de Gràcia in August, 2015.
Enjoy Barcelona
One of the many wonderful things about exploring Barcelona is happening across curious portraits of well-known, and not so well-known, people in unexpected places.
Here’s a graffiti portrait of Robin Williams in Gràcia.
It went up on the wall the very next day after his death was announced — a year ago today.
Enjoy Barcelona
One of the many wonderful things about exploring Barcelona is happening across curious architectural details in unexpected places.
You could be on a shopping expedition — the above entrada in L’Antiga Esquerra de l’Eixample is adjacent to a Bon Preu supermarket — or out with friends — this magnificent entrance is just a few metres from the restaurant, Gresca — or just taking a stroll, and pass by a beautiful entrance.
Look — but don’t intrude
It’s difficult sometimes to not stick your nose in, take a gander and snap a few photos.
PLEASE DON’T — unless it’s a civic building, hotel or office building. The residents won’t like you for it, and the portera/o [concierge] will almost certainly hustle you out of the building and call the police if you resist.
You could politely try asking the portera/o if you can take a few photos — some will oblige (while keeping a very close eye on you) but many won’t.
Instead, linger a little, savour the moment and walk on slowly by.
I am a frequent guest to this apartment building and enjoy the trust of both residents and the portero.
Film location
This apartment building has featured in a few movies, the most recent being, Mientras Duermes (While you sleep) although titled, Sleep Tight, in English — a creepy and coldly credible horror flick.
Lighting:
Walls:
Here’s a close-up of the relief work adorning the walls:
Stair rail and newel:
Lift/Elevator Doors — showing ironwork, stained glass and woodwork:
Windows:
Here are two photos of the interior window casements:
And here’s a snap of an interior window in the lift/elevator shaft:
Doors:
Here are two photos of an apartment exterior door:
And, finally, a view of the entrance looking toward the exterior doors:
Exclusive Offer:
If you’d like to stay as a guest in this unique building then please drop me a line via the Contact Me page and I will put you in touch with the owners.
Only you, me and the owners know about this offer — the apartment is NOT available to let through any lettings website or brick and mortar agency — and is only available on a bed and breakfast basis.
This is an exclusive opportunity — You are the very first people in the world to know about this opportunity to stay in an apartment in this fabulous Modernista building.
Enjoy Barcelona’s architecture.
One of the many wonderful things about exploring Barcelona is happening across curious architectural details in unexpected places.
Had to go to a meeting at the Polytechnic in Pedralbes the other day, and the route took me past Finca Güell and the magnificent dragon gate designed by Gaudí.
The finca was a home farm and summer residence owned by Gaudí’s patron, Eusebi Güell — yes, the same guy who funded the development of Park Güell. The gate gives access to beautiful gardens decorated with typical Gaudí flourishes.
Because of refurbisment works admission to the gardens and adjacent Gaudí designed Pavellons (Pavilions) is currently limited. But it is possible to visit the gardens between 10am and 4pm on weekdays. The cost of admission is 4€. There was a children’s puppet theatre show in the gardens the day I walked past.
It is hoped to fully re-open the Pavilions and gardens at the end of 2015 or spring 2016.
More visitor information HERE
Enjoy exploring Barcelona
