Casa Batlló: The Borland Parents Visit Barcelona

We had the pleasure of having Dave's parents visit for a few days in July, which is a huge deal for Dave's mom, who hates flying.  We showed them as much of Barcelona as we could, including Parc Güell, La Sagrada Familia, La Pedrera, walking down La Rambla, eating Paella and numerous other delicacies, Montjuic and the Olympic Stadium, and of course our hilly neighborhood and the local market.

In addition, we accompanied them to Casa Batlló, one of Gaudi's apartment buildings that we had visited  when we were here on a brief trip before, but not since we had moved here.  Casa Batlló is an amazing piece of work that Gaudi adapted from an existing building, forming it as an homage to Sant Jordi (Saint George), the patron saint of Catalunya, and a wonderful example of his iconoclastic style.  

Casa Batllo (on the right) seen from Passeig de Gracia. 

A fireplace, with a mushroom-shaped entrance to seats at the
left and right to warm up on cold evenings.
Supposedly, one of the seat is for an amorous young couple,
and the other for their chaperone.

A chandelier illuminating the dining room.

Gaudi's design of a four-sided cross, situated on the roof.

On the roof, with a good view of the
 backbone of the dragon of Sant Jordi.
(Picture taken by Father Peck on his visit to Barcelona)

The ceiling in the main living room spirals
into the decorated light fixture.

The main living room, with some gorgeous woodwork
and stained glass on the doorways.

The stained glass and woodwork on the main facade,
looking out onto Passeig de Gracia.

Tom (Dave's dad) contemplating the rear
facade from wonderfully decorated,
undulating courtyard.

A skylight lets in natural light to the apartments in the
interior of the building.  The paint on the walls moves
from a dark blue at the top to a light blue at the bottom
to compensate for the difference in brightness
of the sunlight from top to bottom.

A view through shimmering glass in the stairwell
reflects the underwater theme of much of the building.

Some parabolic archways in the attic.

Gaudi-designed chairs that were
originally used in the building.