Lens & Light

All images were taken near Fie' Allo Sciliar - Ums  On the banks of the Rio Sciliar lies a small hamlet known as Umes (Ums). With beautiful farmhouses and a church built at its centre, the hamlet welcomes visitors to breathe in the clean air and experience life at higher altitudes. The views from the hamlet are absolutely beautiful. The changing foliage and low clouds make the landscape feel surreal and encourage you to explore the area and get to know its inhabitants. I was lucky to meet a few horses, cows, sheep, and a cute dog. In this place, time moves slowly, inviting you to slow down as well and take in the landscape. It’s a place that leaves a mark on every soul, making it almost impossible to leave.

  Visiting Park Güell feels like walking into a storybook version of Barcelona and during the Christmas even more. Located on a hillside in the Gracia district, the park offers beautiful views over the city and the sea beyond, but it’s Gaudi’s playful and colourful architecture that truly makes the visit unforgettable. From the moment I stepped inside the park, everything felt joyful, imaginative, and completely unlike a traditional park. Antoni Gaudi  originally designed Park Güell between  1900 and 1914  as part of a failed residential development. Although the housing project never took off, what remains today is one of the most iconic public spaces in the city and another  UNESCO World Heritage Site . Gaudi’s love for nature is everywhere: columns resemble t...

Visiting  La Pedrera , also known as  Casa  Milà, was one of those moments in Barcelona where I had to stop, look up, and just smile. Standing on  Passeig de Gracia , the building barely looks real. Its curvy stone facade feels more like a living organism than apartment building, and the wrought-iron balconies twist and curl as if they were grown, not built. La Pedrera was designed by  Antoni Gaudi between 1906 and 1912 , and walking through it, I could really feel how far ahead of his time he was. There are almost no straight lines anywhere. Instead, everything flows naturally, inspired by shapes found in nature.  There are two open courtyards designed to bring light and air into every apartment.  The rooftop was the highlight for me. From the panoramic views of Barcelona t...