Tag Archives: Barcelona

Scenes Of Barcelona: Parc Guell

View from the Terrace of Parc Guell in Barcelona, Spain

Parc Guell (gWELL) is a private park system composed of gardens and architectural features designed by Antoni Gaudi, known famously for La Sagrada Familia but also recognized for his many buildings throughout Europe.

View from the Terrace of Parc Guell in Barcelona, Spain
View from the Terrace of Parc Guell in Barcelona, Spain
View from the Terrace of Parc Guell in Barcelona, Spain
Parc Guell in Barcelona, Spain
Parc Guell in Barcelona, Spain
Parc Guell in Barcelona, Spain
Parc Guell in Barcelona, Spain
Parc Guell in Barcelona, Spain

We didn’t get a lot of time to explore Parc Guell, so my photographs are exclusively of the upper gardens and terrace. We unfortunately did not have time to explore the lower gardens and the sculptures there. To be honest, we hadn’t researched the place enough to prioritize our visit. Next time! There are several buildings on the site that would have been interesting to explore. Some of them required separate entry tickets and all were very crowded, as the park is a heavily visited place.

Parc Guell in Barcelona, Spain
Parc Guell in Barcelona, Spain
Parc Guell in Barcelona, Spain
Parc Guell in Barcelona, Spain
Parc Guell in Barcelona, Spain
Parc Guell in Barcelona, Spain
Parc Guell in Barcelona, Spain
“Where The Heck Am I?” Parc Guell in Barcelona, Spain
Parc Guell in Barcelona, Spain
Parc Guell in Barcelona, Spain
Basically “pick up your trash, don’t feed the rats.” Parc Guell in Barcelona, Spain

Scenes Of Barcelona: The Mercado de la Boqueria

Mercado de la Boqueria. Barcelona, Spain

One of the places I really wanted to visit in Barcelona was the Mercado de la Boqueria or Boqueria Market. We visited on a busy Saturday afternoon and there was plenty to see and to photograph.

Mercado de la Boqueria. Barcelona, Spain
Mercado de la Boqueria. Barcelona, Spain
Mercado de la Boqueria. Barcelona, Spain
Mercado de la Boqueria. Barcelona, Spain
Mercado de la Boqueria. Barcelona, Spain
Mercado de la Boqueria. Barcelona, Spain

The hardest part was being patient and waiting to get a clear shot. There was something for everyone there, including a bar where you could just sit and have a drink. Fresh fish, produce, chocolate, wine & liquor, you name it. A ‘target rich environment; I called it!

Mercado de la Boqueria. Barcelona, Spain
Mercado de la Boqueria. Barcelona, Spain
Mercado de la Boqueria. Barcelona, Spain
Mercado de la Boqueria. Barcelona, Spain
Mercado de la Boqueria. Barcelona, Spain
Mercado de la Boqueria. Barcelona, Spain

I loved trying to capture all the colors and patterns, and occasionally get a good action shot.

Mercado de la Boqueria. Barcelona, Spain
Mercado de la Boqueria. Barcelona, Spain
Mercado de la Boqueria. Barcelona, Spain
Mercado de la Boqueria. Barcelona, Spain
Mercado de la Boqueria. Barcelona, Spain
Mercado de la Boqueria. Barcelona, Spain
Mercado de la Boqueria. Barcelona, Spain

Scenes Of Barcelona: La Sagrada Familia

Towers of La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain

We spent 5 days in Barcelona and saw a lot of interesting things. I’m going to feature individual places over the next several posts to show some of the places we visited and things that we saw. My Adobe Portfolio page now has galleries through Barcelona, with one or two more to go. Head there to see many more photos from the entire trip.

Facade of La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain
Facade of La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain
Facade of La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain
Towers of La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain
Facade of La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain

I’ve heard many words to describe La Sagrada Familia, but one I don’t hear is ‘boring.’ It is literally a feast for the eyes, both inside and out.

La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain
Beautiful stained glass windows of La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain
Soaring architectural columns and arches at La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain
Soaring architectural columns and arches at La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain

It’s hard to make a bad photograph there, but it is equally hard to make a photograph that captures the scale and expanse of the space. It is amazingly huge and amazingly beautiful. Everywhere you look there are striking details and intricate designs. Symbolism is everywhere.

Soaring architectural columns and arches at La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain
Soaring architectural columns and arches at La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain
Soaring architectural columns and arches at La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain
Soaring architectural columns and arches at La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain
Soaring architectural columns and arches at La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain

The biggest challenge is dealing with the crush of people. Even with timed entry, the place is crowded. I like to find spots where I can take symmetrical photographs, and I’m often not the only one! So patience and quick work is essential. This was one of the very few places on the entire trip that I wished I had brought a wider lens than 16mm. My 10-24 would have been appropriate.

Beautiful stained glass windows of La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain
Light through stained glass windows. La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain
Facade of La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain
Workshop at La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain
Workshop at La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain