Christmas lights

Christmas lights and crowds on La Rambla

Unusual façade of the Ohla Hotel

Outside the Palau de la Música Catalana

Arc de Triomf

Font de Canaletes

It's said that anyone who drinks from the fountain will return to Barcelona.

Basilica de Santa Maria del Pi

Church of San Felipe Neri

Note the pockmarked lower portion of the wall from bombardment by Franco's air force during the Spanish Civil War.

Plaça Sant Felip Neri has been used in several movies and is a popular tourist spot.

Graffiti knows no bounds

Cathedral of Barcelona. This facade was added in the late 19th century to cover the nondescript Catalan facade.

Everybody Poops!

In Barcelona, pooping figurines (caganers), including Clinton, Trump, and Obama, are popular additions to Catalan nativity scenes. Showing celebrities with their pants down is thought to bring them down to the level of everyone else.

Lichtenstein's El Cap de Barcelona sculpture

Gambrinus Lobster Statue with Montjuïc Castle on the hill.

La Sagrada Familia

Nativity facade (cranes and most of the scaffolding digitally removed)

Detail of the richly decorated Nativity facade. Just above the doorway is the scene of the birth of Jesus, flanked by columns that resemble palm trees

The Passion façade of La Sagrada Familia represents the crucifixion of Christ.

Austere bone-like structures on the Passion façade of La Sagrada Familia

Construction began in 1882 and is not due to be completed until 2026 with the central spire of Jesus Christ, making it the tallest church in the world.

Casa Batlló: the main stairway is like the backbone of some giant snake.

Casa Batlló: the dining room?

Casa Batlló: column detail in the dining room

Casa Batlló: at the top of the main stairway

Casa Batlló: virtual reality shows the design inspiration of the mushroom shaped hearth

Casa Batlló

Front room overlooking the street is decorated in stained glass rosettes

Casa Batlló

The organic look of the front room

Casa Batlló

Small side room adjacent to the front room. Note the unique doors

Casa Batlló

The stairway is tiled in varying shades to provide even illumination throughout all the floors.

Casa Batlló: the curved structures continue on the rooftop.

Casa Batlló: even the chimney caps are uniquely designed and decorated.

Casa Batlló: the roof is like giant scales on some huge serpent.

Casa Batlló: on the roof near the front of the house

Casa Batlló: tiled rooftop ridge

Casa Batlló: back patio courtyard

Casa Batlló: the top floor's rib-like structure allows for light and ventilation.

Casa Batlló: the top floor is like being inside the ribcage of some animal, yet feels light and spacious.

Casa Batlló: under the chandelier of the front room.

Casa Batlló

Looking out the front of the house onto Passeig de Gràcia

Casa Batlló

The front facade