Photographic Proof That There IS One Underwhelming Gaudi Building

Antoni Gaud's Casa de Botines is one of his other works outside of Catalunya.  It's also the only yawner of all his buildings.  I don't mean to be petulant, but it appears we saved the worst for nearly last (there is still Comillas for us to get to, as well as a building in Palma de Mallorca.  Neither will be easy to get to.)

Casa de Botines is based as a medieval fortress, a hulking building inspired by the Leon Cathedral.  It's promising on the outside, but dull and dreary on the inside.  The rough stone exterior was chosen because falling snow will hang onto it, resulting in a stunning look (but only when it snows).  I've seen pictures with snow draping the building, it's very impressive.

Inside the building served recent years as a bank.  You can only walk around the main floor, and there's not much to see, although there is a mildly interesting exhibit on the history of the building.  There are limited tours, in Spanish only, of parts of the upper floor.  All in all, Casa de Botines is underwhelming at best, lacking in the typical Gaudi magic.

There is a free Picasso temporary exhibit going on, so I did get to go up to the 2nd floor to check it out.  Picasso's work is fine by me, but the exhibit space was dull and lifeless, not like a typical Gaudi at all.

Gaudi bringing Catalunya to Leon, with

St. George slaying the dragon over

the front door.

Carol and her favorite architect, as

he sketches plans for the building.

Another angle on the patron

saint of Catalunya.

The turrets don't just look cool,

they serve to bring in more light.

The symbol of Leon.

I never expected to post more pictures

of Picasso's art than of Gaudi's interior,

but here we are (dismayed!)