Amazing architecture and Antoni Gaudi

When you are looking at Barcelona scheme, it gives you strange impression - most of the city divided into equal blocks. This like equal blocks Barcelona in 19th century imagined engineer Ildefons Cerda. But his concept has received categorical other cities architectres resistance. Some of the buildings specially built for them to stand out from the others, or turned for the buildings to stand opposite with strictly structured streets.

The most famous architecture, who was breaking in 19th century ending and 20th century beginning in Barcelona created stereotypes was Antoni Gaudi. His created architectural works in Barcelona is more admired than much older ghotic style buidings or 12-13th centuries heritage. Casa Batllo house with special decorative balconies, which facade decorated with mosaic from colourful ceramics and glass, and the roof looks like scaly dragon back - was one of first Gaudi's work. Other masterpiece, Casa Mila building, built in 1905-1910. House is UNESCO heritage site, as a humans achievement famous because it was built from stone blocks, which were connected into wavy forms. Balconies original as well, minted from metal. One more Gaudi's work - by Barcelona Count Guell ordered and started to built city in the park. Following english parks and redences example, there was a wish to built 60 private summerhouses. They were succeded with only two of them, where lived Count Guell ant architect Gaudi. In the park most valuable is summerhouses, and main entrance of the park stairs, has one hundred colonies, which holding huge viewpoint, hall - with surroundings near mountain and it's beautifully converged stone objects.

The most important architects Gaudi purpose of life was Sagrada Familia church construction, which was started to built in 1883, from sacrificial money, and it's still not finished, although sacrificial money was not enough and Barcelona's government gave money. At the moment, by Gaudi's sketches, church is still being built, and in some places, it's being restored. Sagrada Familia church, is an object, most attractive for the tourists in Barcelona. There's 18 towers more than 100 meters high, dedicated for Jesus Christ, Virgin Mary, 12 apostles and 4 evangelist glory. In the facade of Sagrada Familia church sorted many sculptures, which ones very precisely and in deeply complex symbols shows Jesus Christ life from birth till crucifixion, good and evil battle.

While Sagrada Familia church was built, Gaudi was visiting construction site everyday for 30 years. He hasn't found time to create a family, and because of closed and little bit rigorously manner he has not many friends, in the world famous architecture death was surprise and symbolic. When walking from Guell park to construction site of Sagrada Familia, he was hit by tram. Architect, who gave for the city world famous masterpieces, was not recognised by the doctors, and was taken to part of the hospital for poor people. When it was founded, who is this tram hitted old man, when it was too late. Architect, who was not wealthy after his career, what he has, by will, left for Sagrada Familia church construction.

About underestimated city of Girona

While doing my erasmus, i had a luck to visit city of Girona. It's a very nice city, not far away from Barcelona, and in my eyes, it's underestimated and not known enough. So i will tell at least something what i know now.
Why it's worth to visit Girona?
Between Barcelona and Girona there's about 100 km distance, and it's not hard to reach with a bus or a train, within one and a half hour.
The city itself has a population of 100 000 people. City by local people is called a treasure of medieval spain, because of it's architecture and saved real spanish spirit. There's nobody in a hurry, everyone is enjoying the life. So it's a good chance to see at least one more city, without barcelona, while doing your erasmus.

What is worth to see?
For spain this city - port, was very important because of logistics. Just 48 kilometers away is France, and all the rest of spain is very well reached. So it's not a big surprise, that a city was besieged 25 times, and even 7 times captured. Many of the thourists like to walk around Girona defensive walls, which standed here until the end of 19th century. Nowadays part of city walls is restored, and from defensive city towers that has left you can see a very beautiful view to landscape.
La Rambla
Not only Barcelona has it's famous La Rambla square, but here it's called Rambla de la Libertat. Probably a lot of who knows, that in south Europe, especially in Spain or Italy, central square of the city was a real heart of the city with a lot of action taking place. People traded here, searched for love of life, celebrated most important celebrations. So it's not a big surprise, that Rambla de la Libertat nowadays is like this: you can find most popular shops, cafes, clubs, so the life is just boiling from morning till darkness.
Differently than in Barcelona, in here, Girona Rambla de la Libertat square, in the afternoon you will see families,  those have met for cup of coffee, and for the weekend, they are going for lunch. Who have visited all this, saying, that the best thing is, all this action creating not tourists, but locals, so everything seems to be authentic and spanish.

Jewish quarter
Jews in Spain, especially in Catalonia, are living here for a very long time, although ones was taking care of them, and the others was oppressing them. In 12th century to Girona came Jewish community, and from the very first days, they made this city as one of the strongest center of their culture. It's not a suprise, that this quarter was founded in almost center of the city, near cathedral of the city, like closed, mysterious city in the city.
Today the greatness of this block you can see only from architecture and small shops, cafes and bars. You can not only to eat something in here for not a big price, but to drink glass of sangria or great strong coffee with Catalonians deserts.

Museum of films
Placed in the other side of the city, than all other visited places, it's still gets a lot of attention. Museum offers to have a look to cinema industry history from technical side: how was filmed first movies, how functioned first cameras and so on. But the most interesting is temporar expositions, for example, actress Marilyn Monroe costumes, so it's worth to take a look, what's exhibited at that moment.
If you are interested in museums, near box offices ask for Girona card, which allows you to visit museums for half of the price.
Art Nouveau movement heritage
In the beginning of 20th century in all western europe popular architecture movement left it's mark in the face of the city. Delicate style, elegantly selected details of the buidings - this is why it's worth to see this city, if in Barcelona you are interested to see Gaudi architecture.

For rest
You will not feel uproar in Girona, permanent hurry, there's like to hide barcelonians, as well as other cities people.Although for many of the foreigners this city looks very usual, for spanish - it's small oasis, there you can remember old nation traditions, and to enjoy tranquillity.
LaVinyeta
If you have time and desire, you can visit LaVinyeta vineyards. There you could not only enjoy valuable vine from Empordà region, to see how grapes grown, vine prepared, but to stay too. You will feel like at home, or like visiting relatives, because it's believed, that family like view even to bussiness gonna bring you all the best benefits not only for customers, but for owners as well.