I was looking through some photos I took on past European trips when I came across some beautiful examples of balconies. I think that the balcony (or mirpesset as it’s called in Israel) can be such a decorative feature on a building.
One of my favourite cities to date is Barcelona. Here one can see many examples of early twentieth century and Modernism architecture.
Although controversial, the Catalan Antonio Gaudi was one of the more ingenious architects of all time. Here is his building: Casa Batllo.
The balconies are made of Montjuic stone and cast iron railings. They remind me of masks and yawning mouths held up by bones. The whole facade is so organic that you can almost feel it moving.
In Casa Mila he has the exterior wall undulate to create an opening for a balcony here and an enclosed area there for a bay window. Again a very organic feeling. I really like them both. You can’t see it from my photo but the iron railings were sculptural forms resembling spiders webs.
Here is an example of a Tel-Aviv building where the architect must have been a fan of Gaudi as well. The first photo shows the front facade, the second the rear and the third is the front door. It was designed in 1989 by Leon Geneva. I think he did quite well.
Next door to Casa Batllo is Casa Ametller built in the modernisme style by Josep Puig i Cadafalch. I like the asymmetrical play. I think the two different balconies are indicative of the various functions that the chocolatier owner designed for his home. Among other things he wanted it to hold his photographic studio and glass collection.
Here I loved the classic Romeo and Juliet balcony designed by one of Gaudi’s collaberators in Park Guell.
In terms of creative balconies in Budapest, doesn’t fair too badly:
I love the patterns of squares, circles and rectangles to create simple but timeless art. There are even integrated flower boxes.
Beautiful Art Nouveau railings.
Another Romeo and Juliet on a corner. Pretty, even though it’s still being renovated.
Tel-Aviv also has some beautiful balconies.
All images except for Tel-Aviv copyright Judy Weiss. All rights reserved.
