When people talk about architecture in Barcelona, it’s impossible not to think of Gaudí Barcelona — the colorful mosaics, dreamy curves, and soaring spires that make the city so iconic. From the famous architecture in Barcelona like La Sagrada Família and Park Güell to hidden modernist gems tucked into quiet streets, the city feels like an open-air museum.

Traveling to Barcelona back in 2013 was a dream come true. I had been saving and planning for months, and when I finally boarded the plane to El Prat Airport, I was buzzing with excitement. Like so many travelers, I had my checklist of must-sees — La Sagrada Família, Park Güell, Casa Batlló but what I secretly looked forward to most was wandering. I wanted to sit at cafés, sip sangria, watch people pass by, and let the city unfold around me.

At first, I thought I’d approach the trip like a former art student, methodically studying the architecture in Barcelona, dissecting the details, memorizing the history. But the city had other plans. Instead, I let myself flow with the rhythm of the streets. I wandered without rushing, camera in hand, soaking in the mix of Gothic, Modernist, and whimsical facades. I didn’t keep track of every fact or date, and yet, even years later, what stays with me is that feeling: joy, awe, and the sense of being very present in a place that feels alive with creativity.

This article is part of the Art category on my blog, where I explore how different art pieces can train your eye to notice more beauty in everyday life.

As a photographer specialising in macro photography, I’ve learned that beauty often hides in the small, quiet details: the textures, shapes, and moments we usually rush past. That same mindset can be applied to nature, and to the art and architecture that surround us in our daily environments. One powerful example of this is the Cibeles Fountain in Madrid.

If you ever walk through the heart of Madrid, Spain there’s no way you’ll miss the Cibeles Fountain. It’s one of the city’s most iconic spots. Built in the late 1700s, this beautiful fountain was originally designed by Ventura Rodríguez, a famous Spanish architect, who worked on many public works in Madrid during the reign of King Charles III. The main idea of this fountain is to celebrate Cybele, the Roman goddess of fertility and nature. She’s the majestic lady you see riding a chariot pulled by two lions.

Back then, the fountain wasn’t meant to be a tourist attraction, it was actually part of the city’s water supply. But over time, it became way more than that. Today, it sits proudly between some major buildings like the Palacio de Cibeles and the Bank of Spain.