Day 3: Barri Gótic, Picasso, and More Gaudí

The nave of the Cathedral of Barcelona

Today I did a self-guided tour of the Barri Gótic, Barcelona's Gothic quarter with historic plazas, churches, remnants of Barcelona's ancient Roman past, a cathedral, winding medieval streets, an old Picasso hangout, and more.

During the tour I visited the Cathedral of Barcelona.  The Romans built their temple to Jupiter here, which was replaced by a Christian cathedral, which was replaced by a Romanesque-style church, which was replaced with the current Gothic cathedral in the 14th century.

The First Communion
by Picasso (not my image)

I visited the Picasso Museum (art gallery) where I
gained a new appreciation for the artist and his work.  He wasn't just a cubist pioneer, although I've come to appreciate this form as well.  No pictures allowed in the museum, unfortunately.

Chimneys on the rooftop of Casa Milà

I then went to Casa Milà, another Gaudí creation.  It's an apartment complex with (no surprise) fantastical modernista creations, especially on the roof, and a pretty neat museum in the "attic".  Gaudí rocks.




To wrap up my evening, I went to the Bocqueria market just off the Ramblas and purchased some bread, sausage, and cheese for making sandwiches on the train the next day.

Click here for the next day...

More images from the day

Barcelona Cathedral façade

Altar in the Barcelona Cathedral

Detail of the Barcelona Cathedral façade

Medieval-style plaque at the Barcelona Cathedral.

Another view of the Barcelona Cathedral

Bell tower of the church of Santa Anna

Cloister at the church of Santa Anna

Barcelona street

Plaça Sant Felip Neri.  The pock marks on the church are from bombs during the Spanish civil war.

Portrait of Jaime Sabartes by Picasso (not my image).
Compare with the realism of The First Communion shown earlier.

A view of the rooftop of Casa Milà.

Another chimney on the rooftop of Casa Milà.

Another view of the rooftop and chimneys of Casa Milà.

Another chimney.

From the rooftop, looking down into the courtyard.

Another view of the rooftop.