Flashback Friday #5

This is a bit of a cheat as the original post wasn’t written on this date, but in April 2017, however several people expressed a desire to have another look around this beautiful site in Barcelona so I hope Fandango doesn’t mind. The April date coincided with another post I wanted to return to.

This breathtakingly beautiful site is full of wonderful mosaics, colours, sculptures, windows, artistic design and architectural details from the modernist era.

First I will show you the map of the site again so you can see where the pavilions are situated and then we’ll take a stroll around the site.

View from the Administration Pavilion (Building A on the map) looking at the Operations building (B) in the centre

After going through the entrance gate with our pre-booked tickets we found ourselves following the underground tunnel which brought us out just in front of the Casa D’Operacions (Sant Cosme and Sant Damia). For what felt like an eternity both my daughter and I were stunned into silence as we gazed around us.  From the front we were already in awe of the craftsmanship we had seen, but we didn’t expect such beauty to continue so meticulously.

The grounds are so well laid out with lots of lovely planting of citrus trees, lavender, horse chestnut trees, lindens and deciduous trees all providing shade in the summer and warmth in the winter. Few of the original trees remain except for a couple of date palms. Bay, rosemary and lemon verbena and other medicinal plants grow in the parterres. The gardens were created to provide a pleasant space that would alleviate pain and suffering of the patients and their families. The plants helped to purify the air, fight bacteria, dust and toxic gases and shelter the exposed area from the weather. An idea hospitals of today would do well to replicate.

It was hard to know where to look. The symmetry of each building, the mosaic patterns on the roofs and domes, the elaborately decorated water turrets, the sculptures, the window shapes and the art nouveau style…

You can enter the operations building, but there is not much inside and the only other one that you can enter is Sant Rafael which shows how it was used as a ward. There is much to see externally though and each pavilion although built in the same style and using the same materials with the purpose of creating pleasant and natural surroundings for the patients have their differences.

Of the twelve main pavilions six have been finished and two are currently undergoing restoration. You can see how beautifully the work has been carried out when you see parts of the site still requiring refurbishment.

Next post we will visit the individual pavilions to take a look at the materials used and the differences which make them unique.

View of the Administration Pavilion (A) from the Operations building (B)

(In all of these posts I advise you to click on the photos to enlarge them as only then will you appreciate the incredible artistic detail. )

Source: All the information in these Sant Pau posts is taken from the admission booklet. 

How to get there:
Metro: L5 Sant Pau / Dos de Maig or L2 to Sagrada Familia and walk up Avenue de Gaudi
Bus: H8, 19, 20, 45, 47, 50, 51, 92, 117, 192

This post is a contribution to Fandango’s Flashback Friday. Have you got a post you wrote in the past on this particular day? The world might be glad to see it – either for the first time – or again if they’re long-time loyal readers.

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Heyjude

I have lived in the UK for most of my life, but when young I definitely had wanderlust and even ended up living in South Africa for several years which was a wonderful experience. I now look forward to a long and leisurely retirement doing what I like most - gardening, photography, walking and travelling.

24 thoughts on “Flashback Friday #5”

  2. Definitely one to add to my already extensive list. After Jo’s efforts at being a one-man band for Barcelona and immersing us in Gaudi, your Sand Pau is welcome as another fascinating area and building(s) to visit when next in that city. But when …. and how does one begin to prioritise one place over another considering there will be almost two years of travel to catch up on?

    1. Well my priority is Australia which may well be several years yet. Other than that I’ll be happy simply to visit another county!

      1. It’s attached to the site, but accessed from the main road. I think that’s why everybody misses it. I’m so glad our nosiness won out.

        1. We were just keen to enter when it opened and then rushed back to the cathedral for dancing at midday, but there wasn’t any! Our last day and it was the best one weather-wise. But had to leave for the airport at 3pm. Typical!

    2. Love that church! Looking at the old photo it’s not so far out of town but it looks like a million miles 🙂 🙂 Beautifully done, Margaret!
      Jude, your comment reminds me of a garden design Mick did for a hospice in Hartlepool. They picked the most exposed draughty site for it they could! I never saw it in use 😦

  5. Here I am! 🙂 🙂 Left a couple of comments on the photos but I have no idea if they’ve ‘stuck’ or not as it rekwired sign in? Nothing of consekwence 🙂 Off to visit Margaret’s church.

  9. Simply stunning city and photography. I think there are a few of us wanting to head back there one day. Lovely to view it through your eye, Jude.

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