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Friday, April 28, 2023

7- Marseille, France- Fort Saint Nicolas

Continue our visit from Old Fort, we walked to Fort Saint Nicolas.  It was closed, at the entrance outside, it gives good view of the Old Fort.  Looking out towards the sea, we saw the Mediterranean stretching out to the horizon, with sailboats and cargo ships passing by. Closer to shore, the picturesque Old Port can be seen, with its iconic towers and brightly colored boats. Here are some photos taken from there.

Thursday, April 27, 2023

6- Marseille, France-Old Fort

Marseille is a city located on the southern coast of France and is the second largest city in the country after Paris. It is known for its beautiful Mediterranean coastline, its vibrant multicultural community, and its rich history and culture.

One of the most famous landmarks in Marseille is the Old Port, which has been a center of trade and commerce since ancient times. The port is surrounded by beautiful old buildings and is a popular spot for locals and tourists to gather and enjoy the views.


5-Barcelona, Spain-La Pedrera-Casa Milà

Casa Milà, also known as La Pedrera located in the Eixample district of Barcelona, Spain. It was designed by Antoni Gaudí and built between 1906 and 1912. The building was commissioned by Pere Milà i Camps, a wealthy businessman, as a residence for his family.

Casa Milà is famous for its undulating facade, which is made of stone and has no straight lines. The building is also notable for its elaborate wrought iron balconies, which were designed to resemble seaweed. The rooftop of Casa Milà is another distinctive feature, with its surrealistic chimney stacks, arches, and ventilation towers that are said to be inspired by the shapes of medieval knights and warriors.

The statue Infront of casa Mila is called "The Face of Casa Milà" or "La Cara de la Pedrera" in Catalan. It is made of white marble designed by and sculpted by Josep Maria Camps i Arnau. This beautiful, serene female face with her eyes closed and a peaceful expression on her lips. It is said to represent the spirit of the Mediterranean and the harmony between nature and humanity.

I also noticed different architecture style of nearby building and included the photos here.  Included here are also some of Gaudí's designs reproduced from the exhibits presented in Gaudi's Museum inside the La Sagrada Familia

Wednesday, April 26, 2023

4-Barcelona, Spain-La Sagrada Familia (Towers)

One of the most distinctive features of La Sagrada Familia are the towers, which rise up above the main structure and can be seen from all around the city. There are a total of 18 towers in La Sagrada Familia, each with its own unique design and significance.

The tallest tower in La Sagrada Familia is the Tower of Jesus Christ, which is located in the center of the basilica and stands at a height of 170 meters. This tower represents Jesus Christ and is topped by a large cross.

The remaining towers are divided into three groups of six, and each group represents a different set of figures from the Bible. The towers in the first group represent the twelve apostles, while the towers in the second group represent the four evangelists and the Virgin Mary. The towers in the third group represent the patriarchs of the Old Testament.

The towers are decorated with intricate sculptures and carvings, which are designed to tell stories from the Bible and to evoke a sense of wonder and awe in those who view them. Visitors to La Sagrada Familia can climb up into the towers for a closer look at the sculptures and to enjoy panoramic views of the city.

Currently, there are two towers in La Sagrada Familia that allow visitors to climb up and enjoy the views of the city. These towers are:

Nativity Tower: This tower is located on the eastern side of the basilica and offers views of the city's coastline. It is decorated with sculptures and carvings that depict scenes from the Nativity.

Passion Tower: This tower is located on the western side of the basilica and offers views of the city center. It is decorated with sculptures and carvings that depict scenes from the Passion of Christ.

Be sure to purchase tickets in advance and keep in mind that the towers have narrow staircases. Visitors are first lifted up in elevators and then climb up by foot to reach the top. Additionally, when walking down, the staircase spirals and I got dizzie, so take caution if you have any issues with heights or vertigo.

Here are some photos I took walking up to and down from Nativity Tower and view of Barcelona once reached on the top at viewpoint.