Beautiful Barcelona...

It is hard to know where to begin...Barcelona is so rich with history and visual stimulation that I could do a blog entry about each picture shown here and there are hundreds more to be taken and discussed...so, this is just a sampler for now...

Above, you are looking at Cathedral St. Philip Neri and courtyard. Currently it is a peaceful setting where one can enjoy a moment of silence and reflect on the visual beauty and tranquility of this hidden square. This has not always been the case...notice the facade of the building...the damage was done by a bomb that was dropped during the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s. There were many local children from the neighborhood who were killed in the blast. It was decided to leave the disfigured walls in order to serve as a reminder to future generations about the destructiveness of war.

The 15th century mansion Casa de l' Ardiaca, was originally the home of the Archdeacon of the Cathedral in Barcelona. The building has undergone several renovations over the years. The fanciful marble carved letterbox was the work of the artist Domenech i Montaner. To my surprise, if you look directly about the crown on the left hand side, there appears to be the side of a small face peering back at you...see if you can find it. Wonder who that is?

The Barri Gotic district is the oldest and most historic portion of Barcelona. Many of the streets are named after the guilds that flourished in the early days, including book binders, sword makers, and shoemakers. As you stroll along the street, deep slashes in the stone walls are noticeable. Those marks were made by men sharpening their swords, hmmm. Above is a wonderful example of a "Gothic crosswalk," connecting two government buildings.

Now, on to a touch of the modern...Hotel Arts, a five star luxury hotel located on the beach. This may be one of my all time favorites...the stylish and uber cool decor, a first class view of the water and city, and an amazing "club level" hospitality room. If you have the opportunity, go by for a drink in the bar...it will not disappoint!

Outside the Hotel Arts, a huge metallic whale lounges on the beach beside the pool and among the palm trees. He is so grand that I was unable to capture the entire sculpture. As the sun's rays move across Barcelona and cast light on this grand "Moby," his color is constantly changing. Just another magical piece of art to delight the senses.

Love and besos,

Henri