May 18, 2019 - Mariah Hurley


If you have seen Cheetah Girls 2 then you will understand the excitement of going through Barcelona with the scene of strut in your mind, although Barcelona has more to offer than just a Cheetah Girls throwback. This weekend we got to experience the true beauty of Barcelona that is not always displayed in movies or described in songs. We began with a walking tour of the gothic quarter which included the roman ruins, the Barcelona cathedral and the labyrinth of streets scarred with history of the city. Our tour guide expressed the influence of the gothic style on the city and especially the cathedral. The Barcelona cathedral was designed to not only offer a place for the King and Queen to pray but also for anyone on the streets. To achieve this, they did not elaborate on the designs as much as other churches to ensure those of any economic standing would feel comfortable to pray. This idea of community was really touching compared to Toledo where the king and queen had their own personal church separated from the common folk. It was so impactful to hear the story of Saint Eulalia who is the patron saint of Barcelona and who the church was dedicated to honor as she was the first documented person to stand by her religion through all hardships thrown at her. 

As we moved throughout the labyrinth of streets we saw the transition of the city from gothic to modern. In this transition we focused on the famous Antoni Gaudi and his masterpieces both finished and in the works. The first masterpiece we viewed was Parque Guell which is an unfinished neighborhood with fascinating designs, detail, and color. It is also one of the scenes from the Cheetah Girls 2 movie which is a childhood dream to experience.

Me at Park Guell where cheetah girls movie was filmed.

Famous lizard by Antonio Gaudi.

This was not the only masterpiece we saw today though. La Sagrada Familia was one of the most breathtaking images I have seen on this trip thus far due to the incredible detail added so long ago and what they are continuing to add to this day. It fascinates me how Gaudi had planned on the architecture to be able to support the weight of the towers that are still being added and how he expressed the story of the bible through stained glass puzzles. This church encompasses all aspects of nature and religion in a balance of color and thought. This whole day truly opened my eyes to the history of a single city not only through spoken stories and textbooks but through intricate architecture. I hope to return to Barcelona in 2026 or soon after to view the final picture of la Sagrada Familia to embrace the sweat and tears put into it over the past years.

Outside view of La Sagrada Familia.

One view of the stained glass window in La Sagrada Familia.



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