Barcelona

The writings collected in this book recount what I have learned from Barcelona, a city I have visited on average twice a year since 2006. All chapters touch upon Barcelona's physical and cultural presence and, at every opportunity, upon Gaudí. Architecture is always central.

The Spanish author of the first modern novel, Miguel de Cervantes, in 1605, has one of his characters in Don Quixote say:

“Barcelona, a famous, rich, and well-founded city, is an alarm and fear for Spain's distant and near enemies, a source of luxury and joy for its inhabitants, a refuge for foreigners, offering more than anyone could desire to all who are civilized and discerning. It is also a school of elegance, a resting place for travelers, a protector of the poor, a home for heroes, and a happy meeting place for those seeking friendship.”

Many of these things can still be found in Barcelona four centuries later. Barcelona is a very important Mediterranean city in the fields of art, culture, and architecture. It is the only city awarded a RIBA medal and the largest port in the Mediterranean.