DEFYING architectural design convention and employing mostly curve lines, unconventional materials and boundless imagination, Antoni Gaudi had literally made the city of Barcelona his workshop and opened the doors for everyone into his magical dream.
Together with his compatriot Lluis Domenech i Montaner, both advocates of the art nouveau movement, they had managed to litter this enchanting port city on the northeast coast of the Iberian Peninsula facing the Mediterranean Sea into a must-see destination for world travelers.
No other building exemplifies this truth than the La Sagrada Familia Basilica commenced by Gaudi during the turn of the 20th century and continues to be constructed to this day. Much had been written and read about this architectural marvel that there is no need for me to add my two cents about how this dream-like edifice of a cathedral inspires awe and wonder.
Then there is Casa Batilo and Park Guell - the former being remodels of previously built houses with no straight lines, whose facade is festooned with colorful mosaic made of broken tiles with a roof that arches and can be likened to the back of a mythical dragon and the former being a public park with basically the same design principle simply shout whimsical and fluid, if not colorful, provenance to Barcelona.
I Montaner's contribution to the art nouveau movement in this city is the Palace de la Musica, a concert hall built for the Orteo Catalana - a choral society which became the leading force in the Catalan Cultural Movement of the early 20th century. It's ornate yet functional design cannot be missed and is the only concert hall in Europe that is illuminated by natural light during the day. In there, our party watched a rendering of the flamenco - a very Spanish experience - especially in Catalonia. Regarded as one indelible contribution by the gypsies, this strikingly Iberian dance stirs the soul as dancers literally open their hearts with endless passion and sensuality.
The Barri Gothic or the Gothic Quarter in the city with its cobblestone streets lined with small shops is also one destination that should not be missed when visiting this city south of the Pyrenees on the Catalan border with France. With its numerous holes in the wall, this place, though very crowded, is a great place to sample the world-renowned food that has described Barcelona.
And speaking of food, this city by the Collserola mountain range with the Llobregat River to the southwest and the Besos River to the north, is one gastronomic paradise. The tapas, paella, jamon iberico, among others, we sampled as we joined the locals on their late night rendezvous which begins around 9 or 10 in the evening, are a must-see and must-taste for all visitors.
If I visited Barcelona while sleeping, I never would have wanted to wake up in the middle of this dream. The fabled architecture, the exquisite food and the lust for life n this city is intoxicating. If I went to sleep inebriated, I never would have wanted to get roused from slumber. Not at all. If I was, I would definitely get back to sleep and hope Gaudi welcome me in his dreams once more.