Aloha Everyone,
The famous architect Antoni Gaudí is mainly associated with his amazing, extraterrestrial masterpiece — Sagrada de Familia in Barcelona. But Gaudi also left his legacy here in Léon.
Museo Gaudi Casa Bolines was built between 1891 and 1892. The museum opened in April 2017 for the first time after 125 years.
The exterior of the structure resembles a sturdy building. Some compared it to a medieval fortress. According to the handout, Gaudi’s inspiration came from Leon’s gothic Cathedral that occupies a nearby plaza. I paid “do it yourself senior rate of €5. After a quick orientation of the history of the building, one may walk up a rounding staircase to the 2nd level or wait for a tiny elevator to transport visitors up and down. One of the advantages of Museo Gaudi Casa Bolines is that it does not receive too many visitors. Many of Gaudi’s works in Barcelona are so popular that you have to reserve your tickets specifying day and time at least a week in advance. Once inside, you are competing with others to view displays of Gaudi’s genius.
Here one is left pretty much alone to muse and appreciate. Small turrets that protrude from four corners of the building offered unobstructed views of the city below and towers of nearby churches and the Cathedral.
Before leaving the premise, J.J. and I discussed the sculpture sitting above the main entry. It is Saint George slaying a dragon. Actually it looks more like an enormous alligator and not a fire breathing winged dragon. J.J. thinks perhaps the legend may have been referring to a Komodo Dragon.
Aloha -- Cathi
