Rundown farmhouse in the Delta de Llobregat
Rundown farmhouse in El Parc Agrari del Baix Llobregat, near Barcelona. Many, however, have been restored.
Articles in ‘Buildings of Barcelona’
Las Arenas bullring
Excellent article on the woes of Las Arenas bullring by journalist Nicholas John Mead. Barcelona is already famous for problems that have beset the Sagrada Familia, but for the last two years the prestigious €100m Las Arenas bullring restoration project in Plaça Espanya has run into setback after setback with contruction only resuming a few weeks ago. Read here
There were once three bullrings in Barcelona - Plaza de el Torin which was built in 1834, but was demolished long ago ; the above Plaza de las Arenas, built in 1900 and closed in 1977; and the present bullring, the Plaza de Toros Monumental, built in 1914.
Casa Vicens
Casa Vicens (1883-1889) is a wonderful whimsical building with some lovely details. I particularly like the tilework and the dragons. It was the first family residence designed by Gaudí, and is considered his first important work. It was built for industrialist Manuel Vicens, who depending on the source was either a stockbroker or tile manufacturer. The building was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Works of Antoni Gaudí” in 2005. See Google Map
Casa Vicens (Wikipedia) The building shows several influences, most notably the Moorish (or Mudéjar) influence, particularly evident at the top. The house is constructed of undressed stone, rough red bricks, and colored ceramic tiles in checkerboard and floral patterns. The owner, Manuel Vicens, was the owner of a brick and tile factory, so the ceramic tiles pay tribute to his employment. The yellow, zinnia-flowered tile, designed by Gaudí, was manufactured by Vicens. Rooftop towers are reminiscent of Moorish architecture. Because the house is a private residence, its interior cannot be visited. Nevertheless, the house is generally open to “neighbours and citizens” on Saint Rita’s Day, May 22.
Location
Carrer Carolines, no. 24. Metro Fontana. L3
See also
The house of snails
The Casa de los Caracoles (House of Snails) at Tamarit 91 is one of the most interesting buildings along the generally dull Carrer Parallel, and a good place to stop off on your way from Plaza España to the centre.
Legend has it that the original owner had the house built after coming across a stash of gold while looking for snails on Montjuic. In thanks to these gastropods he covered the façade of the building in snail motifs. Or that was his story anyway for covering up some early 20th century dodgy dealing.
The building of the Sagrada Família
The Sagrada Família in 1915. The first stone was placed on 19 March 1882.
Wikipedia on the Sagrada Família “The project is scheduled to be completed in 2026. On the subject of the extremely long construction period, Gaudí is said to have remarked, “My client is not in a hurry.”
Barcelona’s Agbar Tower
By Lucy Brzoska
The Agbar Tower opened in 2005 to controversy. Many people were affronted by its sheer size (only the Mapfre tower and Hotel Arts are higher), resenting it for dwarfing the nearby Sagrada Familia, or regarding it as overly phallic or reminiscent of a missile. Others admire it for its… read rest of article
![[Colom.jpg]](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mO07g9kbB7Q/S40rAjuBfKI/AAAAAAAAAL4/Vq5FvFMUssc/s1600/Colom.jpg)
Not America that’s for sure. The 
The Fundació Antoni Tàpies opened its doors this week after being closed for reforms for several years.