BARCELONA/GAUDÍ/CALPA ROUTE: THE FAUNA OF THE GENIUS

BARCELONA/GAUDÍ/CALPA ROUTE: THE FAUNA OF THE GENIUS

We make no bones about it: Antoni Gaudí is one of the sources of inspiration for our designs. Not in vain, when he graduated in 1878 in architecture, Elies Rogent, director of the school, said at the time of awarding him the degree: “We have given the degree to a madman or a genius.” We stick with the genius and invite you to discover the fauna that inhabits his works.

Paseo de Gracia, the Gaudí sea at your feet

We begin our route on Paseo de Gracia, where you can admire the Gaudí tile (in Catalan tile), a hexagonal pavement designed by the artist around 1904 and which has become his best-known non-architectural work and reproduced in different formats and objects. In our case, it is the protagonist of an exclusive collection of bags, purses, coin purses and other accessories. It was a revolutionary piece, as it broke with the traditional square tile. But the most fascinating thing for us is the design itself: it is a monochromatic piece that Gaudí designed with relief so that it was the light and shadows that brought the tile to life. Each tile is decorated with one third of each of the components of the tile, one third of a starfish, one third of a snail and one third of seaweed. In the case of the starfish, it is a Gaudí version, as it has six limbs instead of five. Seven tiles are needed together to see the three components that make up the whole. This universal tile is on display at MoMA.

The dragon of Casa Batlló

Without leaving Paseo de Gracia, at number 43, we find Casa Batlló, a UNESCO heritage masterpiece. It is inevitable to stop and admire it. The upper part simulates the spine of an animal. Knowing Gaudí, defender of Catalan customs and legends, the most widespread and accepted version is that it corresponds to the back of the dragon of Sant Jordi, patron saint of Catalonia. https://www.casabatllo.es/antoni-gaudi/casa-batllo/fachada/. Its colorful façade, made using the trencadís technique, reminds us of the scales of a fish or the back of an aquatic snake, with an iridescent glow that magically illuminates the city's mornings.

La Pedrera, a hideaway for animals

A little further up and on the other side of the avenue, on the corner of Calle Provenza, Casa Milà rises like a mountain of stone in the middle of the city. That is why the people of Barcelona at the beginning of the 20th century referred to the unique building as La Pedrera. When it was built, it was the object of mockery and satire in different publications for its unique structure, probably due to its groundbreaking design. Much of Gaudí's most emblematic building is an allegory of nature: we find decorative details such as shells, octopus tentacles or butterflies. But not at first glance. Gaudí invites us to play with observation and discover them throughout the visit.

The Sagrada Familia, at a snail's pace

From La Pedrera itself, take Calle Provenza in a straight line and we will reach the Sagrada Familia. It is about a twenty-minute walk. You can also take metro line 5 (the blue one), which leaves you at the very door of the building. This monumental and unfinished basilica needs no introduction, so we will focus on the fauna that Master Gaudí incorporated into its facades and corners to fill it with life and symbolism.

https://blog.sagradafamilia.org/es/divulgacion/donde-la-primavera-comienza
The Nativity Façade, located on Marina Street, symbolizes the birth of Jesus, life and creation. Its decoration could not be without different animals and the Tree of Life. Its 3 entrances are separated by 2 columns that have a sea turtle at their feet each.
In the Portal of Hope, located on the left, we see the representation of the flight from Egypt to avoid the death of Jesus during the massacre of the innocents. The reeds that appear are typical of the riverbanks, where ducks and geese are usually found. We will also discover water lilies, water lilies, the papyrus plant and dragonflies.
The Portal of Faith is on the right of the Nativity Façade. It represents the most arid area of ​​Nazareth, where Jesus spent his childhood and adolescence. Roosters, hens, bees and chameleons live on this side.
Your next destination is Parc Güell. The best option is to walk to Passeig de Sant Joan and take the V19 bus, which leaves you at one of the side doors of the park.

The magical universe of Parc Güell

The most visited park in Barcelona is full of colour, textures, undulating shapes, natural beauty and the inevitable feeling of being in a non-real world, where light throughout the day plays a leading role. If you visit it early in the morning, with hardly any tourists, you can photograph the splendid dragon that greets you on the steps of the entrance on Olot Street. If you look up, you will also see the head of an animal in the rosette on the back of the dragon. And a little higher up, on the columns of the Hypostyle Hall, the gargoyles that seem to watch over the park watch you. Will you be able to find the Cap de lleó?

The Güell Estate

At Avenida de Pedralbes nº 7 in Barcelona is the entrance to the Pavilions of the Güell Estate https://fundacionantoniogaudi.org/el-dragon-de-gaudi-en-la-finca-guell/ the first work that Gaudí designed in the city for his patron. The spectacular Dragon Gate, forged in iron, opens the entrance to a symbolic space that recreates with various materials some passages from the poem L’Atlántida, by Jacint Verdaguer. Antoni Gaudí's creativity, his fascination with nature (his great source of inspiration), his nonconformist and groundbreaking spirit, his love for a job well done, his connection with Barcelona and his passion for cultural traditions made this artist a reference point for Calpa. And our best tribute was to dedicate one of our collections to him. If you want to give yourself or someone else something original from this city and our favourite genius, we have many ideas for you.

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