Spanish Architecture

Spanish architecture was spectacular.  The Bodegas in Rioja wine country range from garages to ultramodern designs. I thought I might share them with you.

This is Marquis de Riscal Bodega (winery). This unique building contrasts with the winery headquarters, designed in 1858 by the architect Ricardo Bellsola  and is located between the vineyards and the medieval town of Elciego, in the very center of Rioja Alavesa. It's a crazy design yet beautiful too.

Ysios Bodega sits at the base of the Cantabrian mountains in the background.  This is a stunning building set in the middle of vineyards. The building was designed by the architect  Santiago Calatrava. The material used for the exterior finish is aluminum  which contrasts with the wood of the walls. The interior of the winery follows the avant-garde concept of the exterior.

Baigorri Bodega is built to use the force of gravity in the wine making process. The top floor is a square glass room with spectacular views of vineyards. It is built 35 meters underground and houses the wine making process, cellars and restaurants. 

We visited the the Guggenheim Museum of modern and contemporary art in Bilbao. The building, designed by Canadian-American architect  Frank Gehry, was built alongside the Nervion River, which runs through the city to the Cantabrian Sea.

  

Bilboa is full of old interesting architecture.  This is a street of buildings (left) that we thought was really cool. 

Every village throughout the area has a church.  They are typically the center of the village built on a hill and almost always Catholic. Okay, they are all Catholic. The Basque Region of northern Spain is very Catholic.  On Sundays the stores and restaurants close down and every village is very quiet except for church bells.

Outside the Guggenheim is a giant cat covered in plants and flowers.  This concludes your trip through Spanish architecture.