Category: Catalonia

Just Looking …

There were times during my recent trip to Spain when I was part of a street-side audience. But there were those who had a prime viewing spot. They lived in an apartment immediately above the action. I have a few shots of them peering down at the events below.

On my first Saturday, we popped over to Barcelona, for a neighbourhood festival: La Festa Major de la Esquerra de l’Exeimple. Early in the morning (well, early for Spain) we happened upon a communal keep-fit session. So did this older inhabitant, who chose to maintain her distance.

This is what she was missing:

Then the next weekend, nearer home, was Rebombori, which I reported on here. As the gegants plodded through the streets, at least one chap had a ringside view.

And when they arrived in the town square, one set of young people had the best view of all:

My header photo is another from the Festa Major, when we were all ‘just looking’ at the Gegants de la Pedrera, the neighbourhood’s very own gegants, celebrating Antoni Gaudí, whose buildings are generously scattered throughout the area. And indeed at the locals who were adding a bit of colour (if not in this photo) by dressing up quite splendidly in Edwardian costume.

For Leanne’s Monochrome Madness, hosted this week by Sarah of Travel with Me.

Water, Water Everywhere … Perfect for a Dog Walk

An early morning walk on the beach in Premià guarantees you’ll see the dog-walkers out in force. Perfect for that all-important daily exercise, for catching up with your friends, and for getting in some scrolling-time.

If I keep digging, I’m bound to strike water …

For Jez’s Water, Water Everywhere.

Sant Cristòfol de Premià

My last day in Premià for the time being, so of course I need a quick walk through my favourite square in town. The oldest church is here: though all is not as it seems. As you’ve probably guessed, it dates from the 18th century. As you probably haven’t guessed, this building is a copy of the original, which was completely destroyed by Franco’s forces during the Spanish Civil War. It’s been rebuilt: an exact copy. So here’s a single church with a double history.

For Leanne’s Monochrome Madness.

The Gegants are Coming!

Gegants – huge human-type figures propelled by actual humans hidden within them – have been a feature of Catalan festive life since the 15th century. Then, they were part of a religious tradition. From the 19th century, they became more and more a celebration of the lives of the community they sprang from. So here in Premià de Mar – Premià-on-Sea – they represent piratical derring-do.

And the Gegants came out to play today as part of a low-key local folk festival, Rebombori. They took over the streets of the town, as did cohorts of child drummers, child dancers, child comperes and slightly disconcerting child Gegants.  And we the townsfolk followed wherever they led, coming across more and more friends as the morning turned into afternoon: an excellent time was had by all.

These were all taken on my phone, and better shots are – I hope – to be found on my camera. But phone-posting is my lot at the moment, so … make do with these please, for now.

The Gegants come out of hiding.
The slightly creepy child gegants
Young dancers
Osman towers above the crowd.
Waiting their turn to dance
I never worked out who these medium-sized Gegants were.

Renewing Family Ties

It was just five years ago this week that my whole family revealed the outcome of a Cunning Plot, months in the planning. Every single one of my chidren (three) and their partners and children conspired to get themselves to a holiday house in Catalonia, and then get me (and Malcolm of course) there too, without my suspecting a thing, to celebrate – extremely belatedly – my 70th birthday.

We had a whole weekend of catching up, of playtimes, of long lazy meals and silliness on the beach …

… and the memories will last me for the rest of my life.

For Becky’s #SquaresRenew Challenge, she’s inviting us to post square – only square – photos on the themes of Burgeoning; Moving Forward; Reconstruction; or Renewal.

‘Eat Breakfast Like a King …’

That’s what the old saying says: ‘Eat breakfast like a king; lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper’. In other words, make the first meal of the day your best. And it’s easy enough with a bakery like this just down the road: easy to renew your energy and begin the day – even on Sunday!

For Becky’s #SquaresRenew.

Putting the Best Foot Forward

Here in Premià de Mar, I’ve found evidence of people putting their Best Foot Forward – here’s a man on a mission …

… and three women on a different kind of mission – to master the steps of the Sardana, so they can join in a street party.

All in the interests of Becky’s challenge, inviting us to find posts illustrating Burgeoning – Moving Forward – Reconstructing – Renewing.

#SquaresRenew

La Sagrada Familia – Constructed at Last?

Everybody knows that Antoni Gaudí’s La Sagrada Familia is the oldest new church in (probably) the world. Begun in 1882, it may finally be finished in 2026. Promises, promises. It’s certainly been burgeoning for years.

The header photo, taken from the flat where Emily’s partner Miquel once lived shows how this monumental edifice dominates the skyline in a city where so many modern buildings scrape the sky.

For Becky’s #SquaresRenew