Windows

Passeig de Gràcia

If eyes are the way to peer into someone’s soul, then surely windows are the way to peek into the soul of a building. Whether that may be true or not, there is a wealth of different windows to be found in Barcelona.

No doubt, these are as different as  the souls of the people who inhabit, or go about their daily business in them.

Carrer de Balmes

Plaça del Rei

Surrounded by fancy stone work, like is the case in the grander buildings in l’Eixample or the Barri Gòtic (like the 3 images above) or much humbler in appearance, such as the 2 below (in very grand buildings also) it is worth checking out the way windows have been incorporated into any given structure in Barcelona.

Plaça del Rei

Plaça de la Seu

Carrer Jerusalém

At times the soul of a building can appear quite naked or empty when seen through a window, and at others it remains hidden behind shutters, blinds, opaque curtains or reflective glass.

Carrer Jerusalém

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Plaça del Pi

Sometimes, it may seem as if the decorative elements surrounding a window are trying to capture all the beholder’s attention, and thus distract one from looking inside. In any case, the result is truly captivating.

CCCB

Jardins Rubio i Lluch

At other times, it seems whatever is inside the building needs strict measures of protection, and metal grilles or bars have been used to cover the windows.

If you look closely at the window above, you can see it’s a very detailed stained glass one (it must look amazing from the inside out!) whereas the one below is rather plain and the grille has been used as the prettifying factor.

Carrer Hospital

Gran de Gràcia

When the buildings along Gran de Gràcia were constructed, stained glass must have been quite fashionable, because it has been used profusely on most buildings on either side of this busy street, that links Passeig de Gràcia with the former village of Gràcia (now a very nice neighborhood). It is very lovely indeed, but must be a bit of a nightmare to clean!

Gran de Gràcia

Gran de Gràcia

Ronda de Sant Antoni

Painted bas-relief, prominent stone work, colourful shutters, and as if that isn’t enough, also cut out detailing above the windows, altogether stand in great contrast to the very simple stained glass motif used on the round window below, and yet both windows are but a few streets removed from one another. I really like how the lush ivy complements the green glass. Are the windows in your city as varied and interesting?

Carrer Elisabets