Modernism is alive and well in Barcelona

On our Modernism tour of Barcelona

Today we took a tour of modernism in Barcelona. But first a shout out for the sharing economy. Our tour was through a Spain-based company called trip4real that's like airbnb for experiences. They're mostly in Spain but are expanding to other European countries. Our guides were great! Two local guys Marc and Albert who love Barcelona and knew a ton about the architecture and art.

We started at the Block of Discord where there are three of the most beautiful buildings in Barcelona. It's called such because the original home owners were trying to outdo each other with their home designs. One is Gaudi's Casa Batllo with the scales of a dragon being slayed by St. George on the roof. The other two were homes designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner and Josep Puig i Cadafalch.

We then learned about Gaudi's La Pedrera or Casa Mila which looks like a giant petrified wave. After a few more stops we ended at the mothership of modernism, the Sagrada Familia. My greatest impression is of a feeling of mortals ascending to heaven -- the soaring vaults, colors and light work seamlessly to evoke a quite religious experience. 

I mentioned earlier that we look out at the Sagrada Familia from our apartment so we can enjoy the fantastical exterior every morning and night.