Wk4: Exploring Catalunya

    My fourth week in Barcelona began with a visit to Park Güell, one of my favorite spots in the city.  Gaudí's remarkable attention to intricate details and purposeful design is evident throughout the park. The project was initiated by Eusebi Güell, the wealthiest man in Barcelona and a close friend of Gaudí. Inspired by his visit to a garden city in England during the 18th century, Güell envisioned creating a similar natural retreat away from the bustling urban life of Barcelona. Gaudí dedicated around 14 years to creating two houses and communal spaces. These spaces reflect a combination of Gaudi’s love for nature and architecture. The first house built was the pink house, intended as a model home, but it failed to attract buyers. Gaudí eventually purchased it for himself and his father. From the moment I entered Park Güell, the seamless integration of nature with architecture was evident, a theme that continued throughout the park.

  

    The rest of my week was spent on a class excursion to Besalú, Girona, and Figueres. In Besalú, we experienced a detailed tour of the small town, learning about its medieval Jewish communities. We visited one of the only four mikvehs in Europe. The three are located in Girona, Sicily, and Montpellier. The medieval mikveh in Girona was discovered in 2014, serving as a site where many Jews performed ritual baths. 

                          

    After Besalú, we traveled to Girona, where we explored the city's rich history and the use of the Catalan. The Cathedral of Girona stood out because it contained a beautiful combination of Romanesque and Gothic art, evident in the narrow windows and the Gothic arches supported from the outside to maintain the building's stability. A story I found intriguing from Girona was about the city's fly symbol. In 1286, the French invaded the city but were quickly driven out by a swarm of flies that emerged from the tomb of Girona's patron, Saint Narcis. From that moment Saint Narcis and the flies have become salient symbols of the city's protection.

     

    From Girona we made a short stop at Figueres where we visited the Dali Museum which I might add was an incredible experience. From the moment we entered, Dalí invited us into a world of his realistic art creations. He had a deep connection with the museum since he helped construct the museum in 1974 and was eventually buried beneath it, allowing him to remain close to his art even after his death. What fascinated me most was how Dalí designed the museum as a space for people to engage with his art and develop their own interpretations.

                                       

        As I approach my last week in Spain I look forward to making meaningful memories and enjoying the patatas bravas and seistas that I have left. These past few weeks studying abroad in Barcelona have felt incredibly surreal as it has become the highlight of my undergraduate experience at UCSD. 

-Natalia Arias