UNESCO World Heritage Site: Palace of Catalan Music, Barcelona

If Barcelona were a woman she would be a ravishing but rebellious Miss Spain misfit, one who regularly neglects her beauty sleep, never feels guilty about having a good time, and does not care what she looks like in the morning.

I happen to love Barcelona. After all, we got married here! But no matter how great my love for this city is, I can't picture myself living here. I find it way too noisy, busy, erratic and hectic. Nevertheless, I think Barcelona is the most beautiful city in Spain and well worth a week or two from time to time. And that's exactly what we've been doing.

The stained glass ceiling

Like its landmark, Sagrada Familia, Barcelona has the feeling of a work in progress, multifaceted and aiming for the skies. Gaudi is the father figure, and without him, Barcelona would not be the touristic hub it is today. In his shadow, Salvador Dali fascinates at a different level and on a different medium. While you rent a room in your hotel in Barcelona you can take a train to his House-Museum from Figueres, and spend half a day there.

The stage

But one of the most emblematic buildings in Barcelona is the Palace of Catalan Music (Palau de la Musica Catalana). Though built in Modernista style, Gaudi has little if nothing to do with it. As many other buildings around the city, this unique concert hall was designed by a less known artist, hence Lluís Domènech i Montaner. Funded by popular donations, the Palace of Catalan Music open in 1908 and today is the only modernist concert hall declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The facade

The magical stained glass ceiling hangs like a colorful drop of water. The design is dynamic and rich, with floral and organic motifs. The red brick, iron and tile mosaics facade combines Spanish and Arabic elements, and though the concert hall is quite cramped between dull buildings in the old quarter of Barcelona, paying it a visit is a must.

The ceiling with floral motifs and stained glass 

I've always wanted to go to a concert here; never did though. But we couldn't resist taking a tour of its interiors and be fascinated by it. It's a lot to take in. And I got an acute feeling that I wanted to take it home with me. And no, not in pictures, because you are not allowed to take any while inside, but somehow incorporate it in my own being. Because my senses couldn't quite process all the details in only half an hour. And because I felt like I needed that beauty to stay with me forever.

What's you favorite building from Barcelona?

Photo 1, 3 & 4 via Flickr Creative Commons, 2 via Wikimedia Creative Commons

If this is your first time here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed and follow me on  Facebook, Twitter  or Stumbleupon to get regular updates. Thanks for visiting! Laura