Isnin, 4 Jun 2012

Jalan Jalan Sepanyol 1: Barcelona Satu

Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Rahim


Am writing this entry while sitting in the dining hall of an apartment near Malaga, Spain after swallowing two paracetamol pills,....few days spent in Spain, I concluded that driving in Spain is such a big headache for an Asian. Aduh, sakit kepalaku~

Our first stop in Spain is the city of Barcelona. Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid with population of at least 1.6 million. Barcelona is famous for its Art and Gothic Architecture, all thanks to Salvador Dali, Picasso and the famous and yet I think, was a mad architect, Antoni Gaudi.

Our first flight from KL was at 9 p.m to Doha. It was a 7 hour flight, 2 hour transit in Doha and another 7 hour from Doha to Barcelona by Qatar Airways. Checked in to our apartment in Carrer de Rosello at 10 a.m local time. Carrer de Rosello is just 200m away from the impressive and incomplete Sagrada Familia.  

The city of Barcelona, aerial view. Kambing gurun atas langit Barcelona~

Arriving in Barcelona's El Prat Airport

The air plane~

When we arrived at the airport, we came upon this mess, wondering ape ke hal nye weyh?

Guess, it was confetti kind of mess, ada celebration kot?

Kaki series kena ada kan?
The best way to explore Barcelona is by walking and by using Metro lines. For Metro line, which is the underground train system, one ticket for single journey is 2 euro and for several trips try getting single ticket for 10 journeys for at least 9.80 euro. Jimat la sket kalau guna at least 5 kali berbaloi dah....hihihi....

If you are using metro, make sure to look for the right route and stations of your destination. It is usually numbered, e.g, L2, L5 etc...

Please make sure to bring your map that includes the metro lines in, that really helps in getting around Barcelona. The township of Barcelona was designed in grid so it is quite easy to read and guess where exactly you are. The road name is written on the adjacent wall of the first building on each road so, tak payah ler...teleng2 kepala carik signboard kat pangkal jalan......because I did! kah kah kah....

We were told that the Spaniards, they usually 'rest' (which means they always take a short nap) during lunch hour. So, at this particular hour you will notice the streets and around the city centre are 'less' busy. And, at some places in Spain, the shops are sometimes close on Sunday and also Monday.

Sagrada Familia is the unfinished masterpiece of Antoni Gaudi as he died in a fatal accidents after being ran over by a tram near the site. He actually lived at the site for a year before he died. Gaudi's architectural wonders are the main reason for visitors to the city of Barcelona. Gaudi was known as a devout catholic and the expressions of Catalan identity can be seen in most of his designs. But what makes him unique was his architectural style that involves curvaceous form and the elements of organic and nature. And super impressive lagi adalah....he did calculations and complicated string in scale models for each of his projects and ideas. Seriously, sangat intricate brader nih punyer kerja....patut lah tak kawen2...oopps...

Encik Gaudi was commisioned to continue the work of another architect which had been appointed as the responsible architect in the year of 1883. Starting from that year, the project accompanied him for the rest of his life until his death in 1926. The temple which was called "The cathedral of the Poor" which; although the design of the cathedral is overwhelmingly too ambitious, it was financed entirely by donations.

The lamp post, tak ada kena mengena dengan Gaudi, masukkan ini gambar sebab suka tiang ini~

The Sagrada Familia

.....which is still under construction starting from 1883 till today, and it is not even half done.

The buruh~



Once complete, the cathedral will have several towers and the highest point will stand at 170m tall. The architectural style is basically of Gothic Architecture with geometric structures controlling the base and tree shape columns supporting the naves with side rose windows to filter and distribute colouful lights internally.

There are lots of other weird and mysterious sculptures and figures on its facade with; I'm sure there are stories behind all these figurines. One of the books that I read regarding Sagrada Familia; stated that there is actually a figure of Encik Gaudi himself dedicated for him by the main sculptor after his death. Alamak...so sweet~


Ularrr.....~

Facade of the Passion, Gaudi has not lived long enough to see this facade being construct.

Wondering, camne dier buat detail drawings eh? boleh pulak siapkan sebelum meninggal...

The Main entrance at Facade of Passion

Encik sedih~

Encik lagi sedih~


Kaki series at the main entrance~

Cool jugak kan, mural atas lantai~
Internally, there are hyperbolic vaults supported by tree-like columns with intricate starred polygons detailing. The interior suggested like what Gaudi had wanted, with colourful rose windows, simulating the interior of forest receiving light through leaves and tree branches. Naturalist kan....

The columns and rose windows

The star-like ceiling~

The columns and spiral staircase~

Rose windows~

Internal lighting~


The central nave~



Intricate detailing of the ceiling~

Pedang?


Rasanye, sini tak ada rose window sebab depa tak tau design macam mana, Gaudi tak tinggalkan detail drawing cecukup nih~



The old and the new~


The rose window~


Kalau tak silap la, ini tempat holy water kot....

The door~ sangat lah tebal~

...ada goblet~

The bell towers from underneath Facade of Passion

The model, kalau dan siap gini ler rupanyer~

Remind me of berries~

Ada gandum, ada anggur, ada strawberries...kretif kretif....

Hah, amik...gandum atas menara, comel jugak ler~

Ok, till then, am a little bit sleepy after all the write ups, will continue on Casa Batllo and La Pedrera in next entry :)




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