Blog Feed: Barcelona Photoblog

Romesco Sauce: The Perfect Companion to Calçots

Published on 2012-04-02 16:29:00

As mentioned in yesterday's post, Calçots are supposed to be soaked in Romesco sauce. I mentioned the ingredients too. I guess this video might do to get the idea considering I wanted it in English for everyone to understand. I wish it was some Catalan chef but the guy knows what he's doing anyway. > read more

Peeling Calçots, Masia Can Palau, Vilanova del Valles

Published on 2012-03-31 14:46:00

In Catalonia, there is this part of the year when going out to have calçots at any of the many masias spread around the country becomes almost a matter of state. Most well-known places to have them are in the southern province of Tarragona, in a region called Valls but around Barcelona it is not strange to find a good spot in a idyllic environment. The place I will mention today is just an example and of course you are free to choose. It is called Masia Can Palau and it is located in Vilanova d [..] > read more

Tattoo Shop, Barri Gotic, Barcelona

Published on 2012-03-26 15:54:00

Becoming an intruder into somebody else's moment, sneaking into that magic instant that is no more and freezing it for posterity is one of the most thrilling experiences at least for me and I guess for anyone that enjoys photography. Walking down the narrow alleys of Barri Gotic, in a street whose name I can't recall, there was this small tattoo shop. The reflection of the man on the mirror and that green pouring out of the blinds really grabbed my attention. I had serious doubts as to whether t [..] > read more

Estacion de Francia, Barcelona: Lamp and Beer Pump

Published on 2012-03-20 16:38:00

Upon entering Estació de França in Barcelona and if you turn right and get into the bar you will find out that the place has been restored recently with great taste by the way. Worth mentioning are the big lamps hanging from the ceiling but today I would like to show you the ones on the counter (see image) next to the beer pump. A sweet mixture of tree, anemone and candlestick. I hope you enjoy the design and/or the beer. > read more

Woman Waiting, Estació de França, Barcelona

Published on 2012-03-17 17:40:00

A woman searches in her bag while her thoughts are somewhere far away. The quietude at the train station hall is the perfect environment to meditate before that long ride to who knows where. The pendulums hanging from the ceiling contribute to the idea of time passing by while the ticking of the clock on the distant wall, almost audible, is only interrupted by the steps of the guard walking his beat. Such is the impressive atmosphere at this famous train station in Barcelona. Find out more about [..] > read more

Boquerones en Vinagre (Anchovies in Vinegar), Mediterranean Delight

Published on 2012-03-11 16:40:00

Having a tapa of raw fish macerated in vinegar is surely not quite luring for some stomachs. Mediterranean anchovies are not just gutted fish salted in brine, matured and canned or bottled in oil or salt as those you find in the market. They are also served fresh and marinated in vinegar as the ones in the picture. This exquisite tapa is called Boquerones en vinagre. By now you probably have guessed that not all anchovies prepared this way taste the same and that both the freshness of the fish a [..] > read more

Gallery on Building by Enric Sagnier, Gran Via 654, Barcelona

Published on 2012-03-05 15:31:00

Eclectic building influenced by Catalan Art Nouveau but rich in baroque ornaments built by Enric Sagnier i Villavecchia back in 1904. Notice the beautiful undulated shapes of the stone gallery and the impressive ironwork of the balconies. You can find this building at Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 654 exactly between Carrer Roger de Lluria and Carrer de Pau Claris. > read more

Barcelona Photoblog Celebrates Sixth Anniversary, Cheers!

Published on 2012-02-23 16:28:00

Yesterday, February 22nd, but six years ago, Barcelona Photoblog started a project that was meant to change this author's life a little bit. I have devoted many sleep hours to write almost 2000 posts and lots of long walks around this beautiful city to portray our reality. In 2005 I was lucky to find a good name but had the blog empty for over a year. I had no idea what to say or do. In 2006, there was this French guy, Eric, who had started a group called City Daily Photo meant to publish a pict [..] > read more

Roman Temple, Vic, Catalonia

Published on 2012-02-19 16:16:00

There are numerous good samples of the Roman past of Catalonia throughout our geography. This Roman temple from II a.c in the city of Vic is not precisely the best example since it underwent two important restorations but the fact is that at least part of a column shaft and the Corinthian capitals on the right hand side of the entrance are authentic. What is certainly special about this temple is that it was discovered in 1882 while demolishing the old Montcada's family castle who lived there in [..] > read more

Gruyere Cheese Wheels, Vic Market, Catalonia

Published on 2012-02-15 15:31:00

If you are a cheese lover you should not miss the sweet, nutty flavor of this exquisite Le Gruyere named after the valley of Gruyere in Fribourg, Switzerland. Such enormous wheels of cheese I found while visiting the Medieval Market in Vic. There were other posts in the past about such market here in Barcelona Photoblog: Medieval Musicians, Rabbit and Pumpkins, Spinning Yarn on a Drop Spindle > read more

L'Ou Com Balla or The Dancing Egg, Barcelona Cathedral

Published on 2012-01-29 16:51:00

In the cloister of the Cathedral of Barcelona there is a beautiful fountain decorated with flowers that reminds you of idyllic gardens, of some paradise lost on earth. It is the Sant Jordi fountain. Surfing over the soft cushion of its water jet once a year you can see a fragile eggshell that seldom falls which is called the L'Ou Com Balla, which translated literally from Catalan means how the egg dances or how dances the egg. This is not the only place in Barcelona where you can find a dancing [..] > read more

The New Skyline of Barcelona: Corruption and Hedonism

Published on 2012-01-22 16:23:00

Near the forum area and Diagonal Mar, new hotels and office buildings see the light of day like flowers in the spring. Once, we were told that the height of new buildings would be controlled in order to respect traditional Catalan architecture in the city. There were times when only Hotel Arts and Mapfre Tower overlooked the sea, as solitary twins down there by the beach. I am not sure if they ever passed the law but it seems that regulations are there to be broken by real estate companies in co [..] > read more

Parc de Joan Miro or Parc de l'Escorxador, Barcelona

Published on 2012-01-09 16:26:00

Here is a view of Parc de l'Escorxador or Parc de Joan Miro with the famous Dona i Ocell (1982) by the famous Catalan sculptor (Joan Miro Barcelona, 1893 - Palma, 1983). This shot was taken from the roof of Las Arenas shopping center. The colors are enhanced because I thought the whole scene was rather dull. In fact it still is but maybe with a little luck you happen to focus on the beautiful sculpture in the middle and follow the link to my previous post and better appreciate the work of Joan M [..] > read more

Gramophone or Phonograph, Casa Mila aka La Pedrera by Gaudi, Barcelona

Published on 2012-01-02 17:20:00

A beautiful example of phonograph or Gramophone invented by Edison in 1877. This vintage record player can be admired at Casa Mila aka La Pedrera by Antoni Gaudi in Barcelona. > read more

2012, New Plans: My Family

Published on 2011-12-27 17:16:00

The new year is around the corner one more time and in these times of crisis, we should invest in more secure markets, some prefer gold, I prefer my family. Here's my daughter impersonating the black swan I think. Watching them grow to become teens, watching their ambitions, their plans for the future does make you wish for a better world, for a happy new year! Come to think of it that is all we've got that really matters, our family, our friends. > read more

Catalan Modernisme: Cal Calixto, 26 Calle de la Diputación, Sant Sadurni D'Anoia

Published on 2011-12-20 16:15:00

This beautiful balcony partly covered in stained glass can be admired on a house at 26 Calle de la Diputación in Sant Sadurni D'Anoia not far away from Cavas de Freixenet, the renown Catalan cava cellars. This is the exact spot in town to find Cal Calixtus (1885) which is the name of this beautiful sample of Catalan modernisme. > read more

The Three Chimneys of Fecsa's Thermoelectric Plant in Barcelona

Published on 2011-12-14 16:46:00

The Three Chimneys or Towers of Fecsa's old power plant which are visible from almost every spot in the city of Barcelona have been featured in Barcelona Photoblog in the past: The Three Chimneys in Sant Adria del Besos so I will not repeat the content of that post. In this case I only want to say that even though they are obsolete and not meant to last for too long now, they have this ominous and mysterious look at dusk. > read more

What Will Cagatio Bring For Christmas?

Published on 2011-12-06 17:39:00

El Tio de Nadal or Cagatio (Christmas log, pooping log or shit log) a piece of wood that kids hit on Christmas eve or Christmas day with a stick so it poops presents to the beat of a monotonous song (here is a good example of Caga Tio found on Youtube), is deep rooted in Catalan traditions and strangely blends with imported gift couriers like Santa or the Three Wise Men, and being just a log and all, the point is that it surely is time enduring. It has even evolved from just a simple wooden bloc [..] > read more

Gaudi Chimneys: The Amazing Surreal Shapes of Catalan Art Nouveau

Published on 2011-11-22 15:26:00

When you step into Casa Mila's rooftop, you enter a surreal realm of uncanny figures begotten in the womb of some eerie creature or conceived in the unfathomable labyrinth of a very insane but wise mind, figures that remind alien chrysalides about to eclose or deceiving chess pieces that seem to move ominously behind your back. Apparently they are only chimneys but definitely there is something mysterious about them, as if they had been alive and were now under some spell. Some may resemble tote [..] > read more

Sant Felip Neri Square, Barri Gotic, Barcelona

Published on 2011-06-26 17:56:00

This is Plaça Sant Felip Neri, a small and very quiet square in Barri Gotic, Barcelona. If you go up Carrer del Bisbe and take the narrow street on the corner of the archbishopric to the right, you will come across an archway that leads to this magi > read more

Sleeping on the Streets of Barcelona

Published on 2011-06-25 17:35:00

I am not sure about the status of this guy. I don't know whether he is homeless, drunk, a combination of the two or simply an intoxicated tourist who knows? I just noticed there was a wonderful light falling on him while lying there on that granite b > read more

African Top Manta Hawkers in Barcelona

Published on 2011-06-24 16:44:00

It is not unusual to find African hawkers selling false Louis Vuitton and Carolina Herrera handbags in Barcelona. Holding the ropes tied to their blankets (sp. manta) they quickly pick up the merchandise in case the police show up. This picture was t > read more

Watching Barcelona Leaves a Tattoo Engraved in Your Memories

Published on 2011-06-19 14:08:00

Like I said, the beauty of Barcelona city as seen from Mirador del Alcalde in Montjuic mountain overlooking the metropolitan area will leave some good memories in your mind maybe as colorful as the wonderful tattoos shining bright on this girl's shou > read more

Guided Bike Tours In and Around Barcelona: Discovering Passeig de Gracia

Published on 2011-06-11 15:45:00

Although not precisely a bicycle enthusiast and certainly not an expert rider, I must admit that it must be a thrill moving around Barcelona on a bike. The more bicycle friendly the city gets the more frequent it is to find groups of riders exploring > read more

Pa de Pages, Our Modest Catalan Bread

Published on 2011-05-31 17:16:00

In Catalonia when we make things we make it big like say, this modest, tiny, insignificant bread. Hansel and Gretel would have had bread crumbs enough to leave a generous trail behind them, feed the birds and make a nice toast at the end of the road. > read more

Tools, Vic, Barcelona

Published on 2011-05-23 17:50:00

Anvil and hammer. Two tools that changed the history of men. This picture was taken in Vic at a local fair. Sorry I haven't been around here lately. I have not forgotten about the blog. It's just that I am too busy, not so much to post but to take pi > read more

Delishop, Mallorca 241, L'Eixample, Barcelona

Published on 2011-05-16 16:04:00

Sometimes it is hard to talk to you about nice shops in Barcelona without making the whole post look like a commercial. This is not an ad. You have my word on that. When I browse for places I would love to visit I enjoy reading about interesting spot > read more

Skateboard Pals, Passeig de Lluis Companys, Barcelona

Published on 2011-05-09 14:28:00

Skateboard pals, taking a breath under one of those beautiful modernist lamps at Passeig de Lluis Companys in Barcelona. I have been out for some days so forgive me for leaving the blog a little unattended. It is great to rest for a while along the w > read more

Outdoor BBQ Grill, Deltebre, Catalonia, Spain

Published on 2011-05-04 17:01:00

A scene I found interesting the other day at the beach. An outdoor barbecue grill very near the water at Illa de Buda in Delta de l'Ebre. It is easy to find places like this in Catalonia but they are usually inland. There is a whole ritual around mak > read more

Fishing Lead, Delta de l'Ebre, Tarragona, Catalonia

Published on 2011-05-01 17:22:00

Nothing you haven't seen before. Just a fishing lead hanging from a rod and a beach. Although this activity is regulated and there are certain hours and areas to fish, walking under a nylon line along the shore is something very common here. I only t > read more

Faithful Friends, Passeig de Lluis Companys, Barcelona

Published on 2011-04-26 15:58:00

Friendship, love, hate, happiness or sadness are a universal asset, inherent to the human race. Friendship knows no creed. Anyone that is able to love, to be kind, to do good, to cultivate friendship is a person and not "the source of all evil". We t > read more

Forest Fire in Collserola Mountain, Barcelona

Published on 2011-04-17 14:28:00

Watching a forest fire from your own window is one of the saddest views you could ever have. This afternoon a small fire swallowed part of the woods on this hill at Collserola mountain. Now that I write this, at night, everything seems to be under co > read more

Pottery: From Clay to Ceramics

Published on 2011-04-15 10:09:00

The art of spinning a piece of clay, shaping it up with your bare hands until it becomes a jar, an amphora, a pitcher, a mug or whatever has been always a fascinating process for me. I remember pottery workshops at school and how clumsy I was. But if > read more

Fish stall at Mercat de la Mercé, Nou Barris, Barcelona

Published on 2011-04-12 16:00:00

Who said a female fishmonger had to be rude, shabby and smelly. Well, I guess they smell of fish of course but certainly these girls have a wonderful look. I realize my comments are stupid but I wanted to muse on cliches around professions. I don't k > read more

Compulsive Shopping at Passeig de Gracia

Published on 2011-04-07 17:48:00

Shopping in the most expensive street in Spain is risky for the wallet and yet there are some stores along Passeig de Gracia, Barcelona where you can adventure into compulsively squandering your monthly salary. While on a shopping spree though, it is > read more

Llongueras Hairdresser in Barcelona

Published on 2011-04-04 17:02:00

I did not really know what title to choose for this image. The man facing the woman in the poster, standing under a beautiful ceiling lamp was the first thing I wanted to show but then on second thought I realized that the Llongueras hairdresser in t > read more

Balloon Man, Barcelona, Spain

Published on 2011-04-03 17:11:00

Selling balloons on the street is an occupation almost inherent to gypsies in Barcelona but this man and two other at Passeig de Lluis Companys, in the Arc de Triomf area, seemed to be Portuguese, maybe gypsies too, who knows. I suppose this activity > read more

Medieval Pottery: Evoking Ancient Crafts

Published on 2011-03-30 16:55:00

Pottery is an art that goes hand in hand with the history of man and civilization. It is said that the first known pieces were found in Japan between 400 and 10,500 BC (see A history of Pottery). Along the way, a slow wheel or tournette was sub > read more

Bubble Dreams

Published on 2011-03-24 17:03:00

This image speaks for itself so I won't bore you with the place and what was happening. Well, it was in Barcelona and there was this man making soap bubbles in front of some kids. I tried to stand behind the man so you could see what that small kid w > read more

One Handed Handstand, Parc de la Ciutadella, Barcelona

Published on 2011-03-20 17:38:00

Gymnastics is that stuff that always made you feel envious back at school when you saw the guy next to you showing off in front of that girl you had a crush on, easily making a handstand and walking on both hands, doing pull ups with just one arm, th > read more

Passeig de Lluís Companys and Barcelona's Arch of Triumph

Published on 2011-03-18 17:06:00

Here is yet another angle to better appreciate Barcelona's Arch of Triumph (Arc de Triomf). This time as seen from Passeig de Lluis Companys, a great site to bask in the sun, reading under a wonderful modernista lamp, ride a bike, jog or just walk. T > read more

Shoe Shopping in Barcelona

Published on 2011-03-15 18:15:00

Barcelona shops have been evolving from a small commerce model with scarce impact in the international arena into a more powerful network of famous brands both foreign and local which have chosen the downtown area to promote and sell their products. > read more

La Pedrera or Casa Mila: Inner Court and Air Shaft

Published on 2011-03-11 10:11:00

Casa Mila also known as La Pedrera, by Antoni Gaudi, as seen from above is a magnificent sample of fully functional organic Art Nouveau design. Notice the undulated eaves, the arched attic walls that used to hold the washrooms, the small windows not > read more

Casa Mila by Gaudi: Modernist Staircase Detail

Published on 2011-03-09 15:56:00

Art has many ways, just as mother nature never stops surprising us with her capricious designs. The creativity of man knows no boundaries and a good example of that is the work of Catalan genius, Antoni Gaudi. In this image, the staircase at Casa Mil > read more

Medieval Musicians at the Annual Medieval Market in Vic, Osona

Published on 2011-03-07 15:26:00

There are occupations that do not seem to change much throughout centuries. Take a look at these musicians dressed in medieval attires impersonating those wandering minstrels going from town to town entertaining the crowd for gratuities and think of > read more

Obama British Africa Pub, Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 603, Barcelona

Published on 2011-03-04 17:40:00

Obama British Africa Pub at Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 603 is an interesting place decorated with pictures and sculptures depicting the colonialist past of Great Britain in Africa. Gin, rhum, ales and stouts, the usual thing, you know, but imbu > read more

Ambient Essential Oil

Published on 2011-02-27 18:37:00

Ambient essential oils used in aromatherapy for uplifting the spirit and the mind vary in scents and colors, extracted as they are from different parts of a plant be it leaf, seed, wood, root, flower or resin among others. They have been part of alte > read more

Opposite Ways, Passeig de Gracia, Barcelona

Published on 2011-02-24 16:21:00

People come and go, establishing strange symmetries sometimes, like atoms in a formula, apparently chaotic and yet so harmonious and linked. People have lives of their own, walking in opposite ways, in opposite directions and yet they are part of the > read more

Faculty of Medicine, Carrer Casanova, Barcelona, Spain

Published on 2011-02-21 16:08:00

Although the Faculty of Medicine is located at present in carrer Casanova and has been there since 1906, the original premises were originally (1843) at carrer Carmen where the Royal Academy of Medicine is now. The 1906 building by architect Josep Do > read more

Coats, Mother and Daughter, Mercat del Ninot, Barcelona

Published on 2011-02-19 16:07:00

Mother and daughter perhaps, wearing identical coats at one of the outside stands in Ninot market. This market is still in its temporary location at carrer Casanova while the old one is being restored one block away from there. A common Barcelona sce > read more

Rabat Jewelry and Watch Shop, Passeig de Gracia 99, Barcelona

Published on 2011-02-18 10:38:00

Rabat is a jewelry and watch shop in Barcelona. In fact, they have several stores in the city and more in Valencia and Madrid. This one in particular is at Passeig de Gracia 99. But the purpose of this post is not to promote their company. I am more > read more

Medicinal Herbs and Other Alternative Remedies

Published on 2011-02-15 18:14:00

The miracle cure, the panacea so much sought after in the history of mankind and yet so unattainable and utopic. I always wonder who was the first one to put a particular plant on a kettle to make an infusion or prepared a cataplasm to apply on wound > read more

Cupcakes (Magdalenas) at Local Market Stall

Published on 2011-02-13 15:17:00

I am not fond of cupcakes (magdalenas in Spanish) because I find the dough too dry to swallow. But there is a huge difference between those industrial magdalenas packed in plastic at the supermarket and homemade Spanish cupcakes right out of the oven > read more

Italian Food in Barcelona: Calzone Pizza

Published on 2011-02-09 18:43:00

Nothing like well presented food to welcome guests into a restaurant. Besides growing your appetite, it creates a mood. Who is not thrilled by Italian food and the pleasures of Mediterranean recipes? The sight of this calzone pizza at the entrance of > read more

Romantic Gardens: Horta Labyrinth Park in Barcelona

Published on 2011-02-07 16:14:00

Horta Labyrinth Park in Barcelona or Parc del Laberint d'Horta as it is known in Catalan is one of those places you should not miss and yet generally overlooked due to its location in the upper limits of the city near Collserola mountains. This combi > read more

Barber Shop at Carrer Casanova 96, Barcelona

Published on 2011-02-05 12:58:00

Don't ask me why but pictures of barber shops have a certain something. Maybe because both client and barber look so concentrated. The client telling the man the story of his life in a sort of confessional with no curtains or lattice partition. The b > read more

Man Napping

Published on 2011-02-02 08:08:00

Resuming my topic on not so touristic issues here is another shot showing people that in one way or the other are neglected by our society or live their particular personal drama which indirectly leads them into a similar status. I am not sure this i > read more

Modernist Building, Rambla Catalunya 61 next to Arago St.

Published on 2011-01-30 13:41:00

Newly restored modernist building on the corner of Rambla Catalunya and Carrer Arago. Located exactly at Rambla Catalunya 61 this apartment building with offices to rent (I have seen one with 150 square meters advertised for 2500 EUR/month!) immediat > read more

Metal Adornment at Building Entrance in Eixample Quarter, Barcelona

Published on 2011-01-25 09:56:00

Walking along Eixample streets it is not rare to find curious metal adornments like this, guarding the entrance of modernist houses. I am not sure about the real purpose of such figures but it is obvious it wasn't purely aesthetical. One of my theori > read more

Casa Batlló: Masked Balconies

Published on 2011-01-19 18:48:00

To stay in Barcelona without visiting Casa Batlló is like being in Paris and forget about the Eiffel tower, with all due respect to Sagrada Familia and Sacre Coeur respectively. The famous house designed by Gaudi is so, let's say, 'different' that t > read more

Modernist Lamp, Casa Amatller, Barcelona

Published on 2011-01-16 18:21:00

This is a detail of one of the art nouveau style lamps at Casa Amatller on Passeig de Gracia, Barcelona. Of course the original is more beautiful but I hope this is enough teaser for you to visit the famous house and take a good look at it. More abou > read more

An Exclusive Bird's Eye View on Barcelona: Diagonal 00

Published on 2011-01-11 07:19:00

As covered by Barcelona Photoblog in a previous post, the skyline of Barcelona is experiencing a drastic change and the waterfront is no longer spilled with industrial warehouses or fishermen shacks. The explosion of high rise buildings is evident an > read more

Small Girl Playing at Restaurant

Published on 2011-01-09 14:23:00

Small girl hiding under restaurant menu. I hope you like another sample of pure innocence. Have a nice week everyone. > read more

Wise Man Balthasar Brings Presents to Barcelona Kids

Published on 2011-01-06 14:02:00

Wise man Balthasar, one of the Three Biblical Magi as seen yesterday on the streets of Barcelona before delivering all those gifts on our kids' wish lists. As you know every year they come from the East and late at night ride on their magic camels an > read more

Barcelona Shop Window: Mannequin

Published on 2011-01-03 17:23:00

Rebajas (sp. for sales) are coming to Barcelona next January 7th and shops are getting ready for crisis-affected consumers looking for opportunities. With this flashy display enhancing the dress on this mannequin I welcome the first week of the year, > read more

Gaudi's Army of Chimneys on La Pedrera, Barcelona

Published on 2011-01-01 19:28:00

Hi everyone,This is Barcelona Photoblog's first post in 2011. I hope this year brings the best for all of you. Without your presence here this blog would mean nothing and I really appreciate you take the time to read me. What is more representative o > read more