Nature Finds A Way

As Jeff Goldblum says in the first Jurassic Park movie (entitled “Jurassic Park” for readers unclear on the concept), “Nature Finds A Way.”

And that’s kind of the theme of our second Gaudi creation of the day, Casa Vicens.  It’s not a long way from Torre Bellesguard, but give the shortness of time after lunch, we cabbed it again.  

Casa Vicens is classic Gaudi – bright, colorful, with the theme of nature in the house.

Editor’s Note: So Glen, you are saying “Nature Finds A Way” is not the theme of Casa Vicens.  Blogger: Pretty much.  I love the quote though, especially when I find weeds growing in my patio.  But then I usually add a word.  

Editor: Oh yeah, what word?

Blogger: My daughters read this blog (well, maybe) and they think I never swear.

Editor: LOL.  It’s nice that you believe that they believe that!

Anyhow, Casa Vicens is stunning.  You’ll see in the pictures that nature is king both inside and out.  The entry way is neat, but the living room and outside covered patio with a built-in fountain is the most visually interesting.  Overall, there are stunning elements in many of the rooms.  

The side.

One of the recurring outside tiles.

A vase

Real flowers.

Palm fencing.

Someone's knocking at the door,

somebody's ringing the bell, do

me a favor, open the door, and

them in, oh yeah.

Part of a patio.

The artwork was done on the site.

Spectacular color.

Cool window.

The main patio.  Don seems annoyed

that I'm interrupting his screen time.

Unbelievable wall decoration.

Birds in flight ceiling.

Given how medieval Bellesguard is, Casa Vicens is the opposite – very bright and colorful.  This was his first major project, built between 1883 and 1885.  Imagine being the rich Vicens who hired Gaudi to build it.  Talk about a leap of faith by the owner, hiring an unproven architect.  Then imagine him bragging to his friends about house plans that are unique in history, feature outside tiles on the house, drawings of plants in the house, very few straight lines, a complete departure from any house ever built.

Oh, and yes, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site.  I won’t even repeat my semi-famous saying here because loyal readers know it and love it.

Editor’s Note: Wow, what restraint!

Blogger: Oh, don’t worry, I will use the saying in another post.

For readers who are wondering, the architectural style is called orientalist, of the Neo-Mudejar subset. 

For readers who are NOT wondering, the architectural style is called orientalist, of the Neo-Mudejar subset.  

And, like every Gaudi building, the roof is very interesting.  There are interesting towers on the roof – it’s not the amazing chimneys of Palau Guell or La Pedrara, but they are cool enough it probably got him on that track, and probably helped him get other commissions.  Photos from the roof:

The front of Case Vicens

The roof

The covered patio

from outside.

Afterwards, we headed across the street for our one and only gelato of the trip.  (We never ever got churros con chocolate.  Oh well, reason to go back to Barcelona!)

After the gelato, Don and Jennifer decided to head back to the hotel and relax.  Carol and I walked up the foothills of the mountains in north Barcelona to Parc Guell.