Like a Virgin, with apologies to Gaudí and Madonna both

I treasure the feeling of first spotting a Gaudí creation. It was the Palau Güell. Wandering down La Rambla towards the sea, I took a left onto a narrow little one way street much like all the other narrow little streets in the area known as Raval. Souvenir shops and sandwich shops line the tiny sidewalks. The street was none too clean. It was early morning with the city just waking. I had no idea what was coming.

And then, there it was, these two incredible arched wrought iron gates set into the stone wall. There are no words to fully describe it. Wrought iron taken to its limits and made to move and flow like a pile of ribbon. Between the two gates there is a great wrought iron sculpture topped by a barbed sphere on which perches a fearsome bird. I have no idea how long I stood and tried to take it all in.

The street is so narrow, even backing up across the street, risking being hit by racing motorcycles and taxis, I couldn't take it all in completely. I craned my neck to see the top of this amazing place and up there in the far distance I could see just a bit of the most exquisitely turned mosaic finials glistening in the morning light.

There was nothing I could do, but stand gape mouthed before this tremendous place so out of time and place on this previously normal little street. I got my camera out only to realize there was no way that I could capture an image of it. I could never do it justice. I was reduced to taking shots of details, the gate, the sculpture, the windows covered in wrought iron lace.

I love to go walking past it over and over. I can't recapture the full feeling of first seeing the Palau Güell, but I can watch the crowds that gather to gawk at it. I can experience, if only vicariously, that wondrous feeling once more.

My first full day in Barcelona

I'm having some problems posting pictures to my blog, but you can find my photos on my Flickr account or on Instagrid.

There have been a few additional photo problems, but more about that later.

Since I arrived in Barcelona I've been in hot pursuit of mosaics, Modernisme, Miró, Gaudí, Picasso, and Dalí. It's been easy in some ways and difficult in others. There are numerous sites for each item and many of them overlap. The public transportation system here is excellent. I've been able to get around easily via bus, metro, and on foot.

On day one I set out to explore on foot. It's a bit of a walk down La Rambla to Palau Güell. One Of Gaudi's masterpieces, it's located less than a block down Carrer de Nou Rambla. The house, or perhaps palace is more appropriate, is extraordinary. The attention to detail is exquisite. Everything is handcrafted exactly for this space. I can't begin to describe it, but the thing I was seeking was on the roof terrace. There I could get up close and personal with the mosaic chimney pots. I've seen photos, but this was right there in front of my eyes and in reach of my hands.

The chimneys have been restored to their original splendor. The documentation on the restoration of the entire building is on view in the attic. I was able to see what went into the creation of these incredible sculptures. The work was done both by and under the supervision of Josep Gardy Artigas, the son of the original mosaicist, Josep Llorens Artigas.

Back down at street level I turned back to study the wrought iron work on the front of the building. I was reminded of Albert Paley's work. It is easy to see how Modernisme influenced this contemporary American sculptor's work.

Back closer to my hotel, as in across the street closer, I wandered over to the little Eglesia de Santa Anna. I haven't explored there yet. I did peek through the gates at the shaded and colonnaded courtyard. I'll go back there later.