Dónde vamos Eva
The Guadian speldor of the Eixample
After seeing sites like la Pederera, the Casa Batllo, the Sagrada Familia and Park Guell, there's a proud collection of works designed by the brilliant Gaudi that remain almost hidden to our eyes. Somehow they’ve managed to escape the tourist acclaim that the previously mentioned masterpieces enjoy. The good thing is, there's plenty of Gaudi spread throughout Barcelona, you just need to look hard enough to find it ;-).
In the Eixample neighborhood, without wandering off very far from the well-known Passeig de Gracia and its famous "Îlla de la discòrdia," we can calmly admire another of Gaudi’s great works: the Casa Calvet.
Perhaps it's not as well known because its private use impedes access to its interior, but I assure you that the exterior alone is worth the visit. A dull facade, straight and rigid on one side and baroque and ornate on the other, represents the strong sense symbolism that Guadi has us accustomed to. Because of the facade, this won a well-deserved prize. Some consider the course somewhat conservative, I just enjoy it.
Each block of stone, each balcony, each structure deserves to be observed calmly, with eyes-wide-open attention. Calvet was a famous textile manufacturer who didn't hesitate to put Gaudi in charge of creating a multi-purpose home house. I sometimes ask myself, what would have become of us if those Modernist bourgeois mercenaries didn't exist? Would the city of Barcelona have as many admirers today? I can only thank them for their work and contributions to our society and culture.
I don't know the amount of time I've spent completely spellbound, looking at each detail: the amazing incredible "C" sculpted in honor of Calvet, the baroque series of balconies and the suspended forge work done on them, the symbolism of the cuerno de la fortuna (horn of fortune), the protruding heads of different saints, and add a huge etcetera to that list. There’s a hidden, almost intimate secret inside, the Casa Calvet restaurant. It’s hidden there like it’s trying not to be noticed but this special nook deserves its own guide.
Barcelona is what it has. If you’re able to wander around and curiously observe everything with open eyes, forgetting about the mega touristic sites, you'll find yourself alone at some surprising, splendid sites. At least that's what I do. I look at Barcelona with love and she gives me places like this. Please keep this secret for me!
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