Parc Güell<\/a> hides a tank that collects rain water from the square surrounded by the famous curved and colourful benches (just above the hypostyle room), which then runs through little channels hidden in the room’s columns. This rain water then supplies water to the dragon fountains as well as other areas of the park. It’s an example of environmental awareness that’s well ahead of its time!\n<\/p>\n15. The dragon with umbrella<\/h3>\n
\nAn impressive dragon sculpture is hidden in one of the facades of the Ramblas. In a style that mixes Chinese and art decor influences it is holding a lantern and an umbrella. Weird? Not really. The building was formerly an umbrella shop and the dragon was designed to advertise the items for sale.<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
16. The oldest house in Barcelona<\/h3>\n
\nThe oldest house in Barcelona is found at number 6 Sant Domènec del Call street, in the Gothic area. Inhabited in the 12th Century, the walls now lean, following an earthquake in 1428.\n<\/p>\n
17. Hermès<\/h3>\n
\nThe god Hermès appears numerous times on the city’s buildings: inside the Basilica of Santa María del Mar, on the post office building, Via Laietana, Palau Robert, on the Arc de Triomf… he is everywhere! This dates from the 19th and 20th centuries during the commercial shift in Barcelona. Hermes was the patron saint of shopkeepers, who used him to bring good luck and money.\n<\/p>\n
18. Gaudí’s lanterns<\/h3>\n
\nWe associate Gaudí with masterpieces such as the Sagrada Familia and Park Güell but he completed many other works for the city of Barcelona, including 6-branch lanterns that today light up the Plaça Reial.\n<\/p>\n
19. Modernist washing places<\/h3>\n
\nOn the Portal de l’Àngel, a large pedestrian shopping street you can see a fountain covered in colourful tiles. these are old public washing places form the medieval era. The tiles were added later to give the fountains a touch of the art nouveau style that was popular at the time.\n<\/p>\n
20. Plaça Reial’s optical illusion<\/h3>\n
\nThe Plaça Reial is bursting with symmetry. However, this effect was obtained by the architect by creating an optical illusion. The square is not rectangular but actually trapezoid. Furthermore, the columns are not all the same height, which paradoxically increases the symmetrical effect.<\/p><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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