Modernisme Walking Tour of Barcelona, Barcelona
Modernisme Walking Tour of Barcelona
Guide Location: Spain » Barcelona
Guide Type: Self-guided city tour
# of Attractions: 8
Tour Duration: 3 hour(s)
Transportation Mode: by foot
Travel Distance: 3.6 km
Image Courtesy of Flickr and dawvon
Author: clare
Modernisme (Catalan for modernism) is the local version of Art Nouveau, a European trend that led to an outburst of creative activity manifested in remarkable architecture in Barcelona and many other cities. This tour will reveal all the mysteries of Modernisme style in Catalan capital.
Tour Stops and Attractions
Arc de Triomf
1) Arc de Triomf
The Arc de Triomf (English: Triumphal Arch) is an archway structure in Barcelona, Catalonia. It was built for the 1888 Universal exhibition, as its main access gate by architect Josep Vilaseca i Casanovas. The arch is built in reddish brickwork in the Moorish Revival style. The front frieze contains the stone sculpture "Barcelona rep les nacions" (Catalan for "Barcelona welcomes the nations") by Josep Reynés. The opposite frieze contains a stone carving named "Recompense", a work from the earliest period of Josep Llimona. The arch is located between Passeig de Lluís Companys and Passeig de Sant Joan, at the end of a wide promenade connecting with the Park of the Ciutadella.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Bajajvikram
Palace of Catalan Music
2) Palace of Catalan Music
The Palau de la Música Catalana (Palace of Catalan Music) is a concert hall designed in the Catalan modernista style by the architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner. It was built between 1905 and 1908 for the Orfeó Català, a choral society founded in 1891 that was a leading force in the Catalan cultural movement that came to be known as the Renaixença (Catalan Rebirth). It was inaugurated February 9, 1908. The design of the Palau is typical of Catalan modernism in that curves predominate over straight lines, dynamic shapes are preferred over static forms, and rich decoration that emphasizes floral and other organic motifs is used extensively. The concert hall of the Palau, which seats about 2,200 people, is the only auditorium in Europe that is illuminated during daylight hours entirely by natural light.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Yearofthedragon
Manzana de la Discordia
3) Manzana de la Discordia
The Illa de la Discòrdia (English:Block of Discord, Spanish:Manzana de la Discordia), is a block on Passeig de Gràcia in the Eixample District of Barcelona. The block is noted for having buildings by three of Barcelona's most important Modernisme architects, Lluís Domènech i Montaner, Antoni Gaudí and Josep Puig i Cadafalch, in close proximity. As the three architects' styles were very different, the buildings clash with each other and the neighboring buildings. Due to the presence of these famous landmark buildings, the block is a significant tourist attraction in Barcelona. The name in Spanish, Manzana de la Discordia, is a play on words: manzana means both "city block" and "apple," referencing the Apple of Discord.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Avanschelven
Queviures Murrià
4) Queviures Murrià
Queviures Murrià is a big grocery store that is also an impressive work of art. It is famous for stocking the best products from every country. Queviures Murrià is housed in a building of a Modernist style that was designed by Ramón Casas.
Image Courtesy of Flickr and laura padgett
Casa Milà (La Pedrera)
5) Casa Milà (La Pedrera)
Casa Mila, better known as La Pedrera (Catalan for 'The Quarry'), is a building designed by the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi and built during the years 1905–1910, being considered officially completed in 1912. It was built for the married couple, Rosario Segimon and Pere Mila. Rosario Segimon was the wealthy widow of Jose Guardiola, an Indiano, a term applied locally to the Catalans returning from the American colonies with tremendous wealth. The building is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Works of Antoni Gaudi". The building is now owned by Caixa Catalunya.
Image Courtesy of Flickr and oksidor
Palau de Baró de Cuadras
6) Palau de Baró de Cuadras
Palau de Baró de Cuadras was designed by Puig i Cadafalch in 1904. The palace houses Casa Àsia with an excellent library. Palau de Baró de Cuadras features some of the most spectacular Eusebi Arnausculptures sculptures in town.
Image Courtesy of Flickr and laura padgett
Casa Comalat
7) Casa Comalat
Casa Comalat is located just off the Avinguda Diagonal. It was designed by the Gaudí-influenced Salvador Valeri i Popurull. The construction has many elements of Gaudí’s style, and is a perfect example of Barcelona's Modernisme.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Yearofthedragon
Casa Terrades
8) Casa Terrades
Puig i Cadalfach's building is also known as Casa de les Punxes (the House of Spikes) because of its sharply pointed gables and towers. The building combines some elements of northern European Gothic architecture with aspects of the Catalan Modernisme tradition. It is one of the few freestanding Eixample district buildings visible from 360 degrees.
Image Courtesy of Flickr and gniliep
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