Bellesguard
Since the State of Alarm has been lifted we've been able to freely move around the city (at least for now, though another lockdown is distinctly possible). However, we haven't wanted to take public transit, so we've doing some 'urban' hiking. We recently walked to the Sarriá neighborhood and found a little-known Gaudi project, only open to the public since 2013.
Built for the Figueres family between 1900 and 1909, it is on the site of the early 15th century royal residence of King Martin the Humane of Aragon. The site was originally chosen for its salutary distance from the city center combined with its strategic view of it.
At first glance it looks very different from many of his more famous houses. It's clad in slate, and has a very gothic air about it.
The entry hall recalls Andalusian architecture, with its brightly-colored tile and Moorish details.
This three-dimensional stained glass window, the centerpiece of the facade, is very striking.
The smoking room, in the attic, has a ceiling with expressed structure reminiscent of some of his other Barcelona houses. The main attic room, in exposed brick, also showcases its structure, but it was never finished with plaster.
The turreted and dormered roof forms form the shape of a dragon, but our lenses weren't wide enough the capture the effect. It affords an amazing 360-degee view of the surrounding gardens, city and hills.
