Tag Archives: Catalunya

After 140 years it’s finished (almost)

Posted on May 13, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

I’ve visited hundreds of Roman Catholic cathedrals, basilicas, chapels, and churches in Europe, but Sagrada Familia in Barcelona isn’t just any old church; it’s an extraordinary edifice with a remarkable history. It also has a fantastic design, complete with soaring … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art, Europe, History, Tourism | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Books and Roses Day

Posted on April 23, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

Barcelona is all about roses, books and lovers on April 23rd each year. In Catalonia World Book Day also becomes an especially romantic festival. People celebrate the day of their patron saint, Sant Jordi (Saint George), with a curious tradition. … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Europe, History, Tourism | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Barcelona’s Basilica Battle

Posted on March 27, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

La Sagrada Familia is one of the most famous religious structures in all of the world. Alomost every visitor to Barcelona makes a pilgrimage to this extraordinary church. The last time that I was in the city I went once … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Europe, History, Tourism | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Moving Cities

Posted on September 22, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

“Moving Barcelona is a magical realist dance story about the Catalonian capital, an autonomous region in the Spanish State contending with an identity crisis. A city with everything going for it is still haunted by the ghosts of its past … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Film, Tourism | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Teleport me to Barcelona

Posted on February 25, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

I have only been to Barcelona one time—actually twice on the same three week trip to Spain—and I fell deeply in love with the capital of Catalonia. You will see why after viewing this gorgeous hyperlapse video below by Kirill … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art, Europe, Film, Tourism | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Bookstore Cat

Posted on December 7, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

Old Books with Cat, Barcelona, Photo by Francesc Català-Roca, 1953 Homage to Catalonia    

Posted in Books, Europe, Photography | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Books for Fighters

Posted on September 16, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

The sign in the photo taken in Barcelona in 1938 reads “give books to fighters”. The campaign collected reading material for anti-Fascist volunteers in the Spanish Civil War.

Posted in Books, Europe, History | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Blue Mondays

Posted on August 27, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

This is what Monday morning looks like when you arrive to find the bookstore closed.

Posted in Books, Bookstore Tourism, Europe, Photography | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

You can call me a library rat anytime

Posted on April 25, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

I hadn’t heard the expression “library rat” since my undergraduate university days until I stumbled across this new mural by the Spanish street artist known as Xav. The work, which was commissioned by the Barcelona-based Contorno Urbano Foundation, celebrates those … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Europe, Libraries | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Gaudi : First and Last

Posted on June 2, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

Any trip to Barcelona would be incomplete without visiting the astonishing buildings designed by the renowned architect Antoni Gaudí. Soon, for the first time, it will be possible to tour the first private residential building that was created by the … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art, Europe, Museums, Tourism | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment