Catalonia 2017

My two weeks in Catalonia begin in Barcelona, a wonderful city to visit. Most interesting is the modernist architecture of Gaudí and others of the late 19th century.

Casa Amatller and Casa Batlló are to the left of the corner building.

Antoni Gaudí was not the only remarkable architect working in the modernist style. Casa Amatllo was designed by Josep Puig i Cadafalch (1867-1956), and opened to the public three years ago. A guided tour was an excellent introduction to this beautiful landmark.

Façade of Casa Amatller

Central stairway in Casa Amatller

Gaudí's mushroom inspired fireplace alcove in Casa Batlló

A tour of Gaudi's Casa Batlló was remarkable for the high number of visitors. The audio/video device supplied to all tourists was very effective in learning the features of the house while sharing the visit with hundreds of others.

The roof at Casa Batlló is fun to explore

Casa de les Puntxes, Casa de las Puntas, House of Spikes,
also by Puig i Cadafalch

It's time to leave the city and visit the birthplace of cellist Pablo Casals, at El Vendrell, a beautiful beach town on the blue Mediterranean. The home is now a museum. Casals lived here until his exile in 1939. He never returned, in protest of Franco's fascist government.