Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona Pavilion – architectural highlight of our summer trip to Spain

We’ve just returned from Spain and took the opportunity while in Barcelona to visit the wonderful Barcelona Pavilion by Mies van der Rohe (ok, the replica they built between 1983 and 1986 after the original built for the 1929 Barcelona International Exhibition was disassembled the following year).

Interior of Barcelona Pavilion

Interior of Barcelona Pavilion

Barcelona Pavilion

The space creates such an amazing feeling of tranquility; the clean lines and use of materials were so advanced at the time yet still are powerful today and something to be aimed for.
We also saw plenty of work by Barcelona’s iconic architect Antonio Gaudi culminating in a visit to Sagradia Familia, the church that is stil under construction nearly 100 years after his death. There are mixed feelings in Barcelona about how the modern parts are being built (Gaudi left very little drawn work, most was interpreted from models produced); I would agree, the works currently being built are clearly out of step with the earlier parts and detract from it. The Interiors are wonderfully lit with stained glass abstract windows but in places the new work leaves something of a Disney-fied and fake taste…

Interior of Sagrada Familia

Interior of Sagrada Familia

Sagrada Familia

Casa Mila by Antonio Gaudi

Casa Mila by Antonio Gaudi

Casa Batllo by Antonio Gaudi

Casa Batllo by Antonio Gaudi