Next day we took a hop on hop off tourist bus which gave us easy access to the places we wanted to visit, including some of the Gaudi buildings. Gaudi died in 1926 but the work on the Sagrada Familia continues today, as funds allow. The Sagrada Familia is huge, even in its uncompleted state. On the outside of the building walls there are many stone figures. Gaudi’s Cassa Batlo with its mask/skull like balconies was completed in 1907 and the Casa Mila apartment block, completed in 1912 has few straight lines.
On our last day we wandered down La Rambla, an old seasonal water course that has been converted into a tree lined avenue. It has a wide pedestrian area down the centre and one lane down each side for cars. Retail shops line each side of the avenue and down the centre there are stalls selling a variety of goods.
We also walked around Barri Gotic with its medieval churches, old stone buildings and narrow streets barely more than a car width wide.
Our overall impression of Barcelona is a city with -
Lots of traffic and people, many tourists.
Good pedestrian areas and dedicated cycle lanes.
Lots of dogs, even on the metro
High density apartment living, most 5 or 6 stories.
Mostly small shops and markets, no big malls.
Many old stone buildings with gargoyles and other stone figures (these wouldn’t survive in Christchurch)
It's a lovely place to visit.
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