Barcelona Gaudi
The works of Antoni Gaudi dominate the city of Barcelona. Whilst the city is both modern and cosmopolitan in nature, it has
a rich history in architecture and the arts. The city has always proven to be a
bit ahead of the rest of the world in its tendencies, and the discerning
traveller can see this in the exquisite Gaudi architecture that is found
throughout Barcelona.
In spite of impressive works from the Romanesque and Renaissance periods, it is
Gaudi's Modernism which attracts millions of visitors to Barcelona. The
magnificent works of Catalonia's favourite son were created well before
their time and you should dedicate much of your time in Barcelona to visiting a
selection of Gaudi buildings.
Antoni Gaudi
The man behind these amazing masterpieces is Antoni Gaudi, who was born in
1852 in Catalonia. Gaudi was the youngest of five children, and he had a
difficult childhood due to suffering from rheumatism that caused him a great
deal of pain. At a young age, he had a lot of time to observe and inspect nature, which helped him to develop his unique form of architecture.
Gaudi went on to study architecture at the Escola Tčcnica Superior
d'Arquitectura, which is located in the city of Barcelona. Although his grades
were only fair, he did receive his diploma, which named him as an architect.
Soon he was planning and designing what would be some of the most amazing
architectural masterpieces ever created.
When Gaudi first started out, his works were primarily Gothic in nature and had
a traditional Spanish flare to them. After a few years, he went on to develop
his own style, which was when his most popular works were created. The nature he
had studied so much as a child was soon to be incorporated into his works and he
showed amazing portrayals of water and organic shapes in his architectural
designs. Later his work became known by the name Art Nouveau Architecture, and
was actually a precursor to today’s modern architecture (known as 'modernisme').
Main Gaudi Buildings in Barcelona
While you are in Barcelona, you should dedicate plenty time to seeing Gaudi’s
works and not just the Sagrada Familia which is his most famous
attraction. The most visited of his works after the unfinished Gaudi cathedral
include Park Guell, Casa Mila, and Casa
Batllo.
Sagrada Familia
Address: C/ Mallorca 401
Opening Hours: 9am-6pm (Oct-Mar); 9am-8pm (Apr-Sep)
Metro: Sagrada Familia
Check Entrance Fees & Opening Hours at the
Sagrada Familia Website.
If you only do one thing in Barcelona you must visit Gaudi's La Sagrada Famķlia
which is certainly his most famous work and recognised as a symbol of Barcelona
worldwide. Work on this Moderniste cathedral was started by Gaudi in 1883 and he
continued to work obsessively on the project until his death in 1926 (he was hit
by a tram in Girona). Many of Gaudi's building plans were destroyed during the
Spanish Civil War leading to an ongoing debate as to how his masterpiece should
progress. The completion date for the Sagrada Familia is estimated to be around
2030.
Park Guell
Address: Carrer D'Olot, 7
Metro: Lesseps (more convenient is Bus Nŗ 24 or the Bus Turķstic service)
Opening hours: 9am-9pm (June-Sept); Slight variations at other times of year
Admission Cost: Free.
Park Guell dates back to 1900 when Eusebi Guell commissioned Gaudi to build a
garden city intended for the elite of Barcelona society. As a real estate
venture the property wasn't a success with only two homes ever being built on
it. Today it is a Gaudi park which is owned by the city of Barcelona, and
features a breathtaking selection of Gaudi architecture. Look out for the giant
coloured lizard which is one of the city's most photographed attractions. Casa
Museu Gaudi is the house at the entrance with a spire where the architect lived
for most of his last 20 years.
La Pedrera (Casa Milą)
Address: Passeig de Grącia ,92
Metro: Diagonal
Opening hours: 9am-6.30pm (Nov-Feb); 9am-8pm (Mar-Oct)
Check Entrance Fees & Opening Hours at the
La Pedrera Website.
La Pedrera is probably Gaudi's 2nd most recognisable masterpiece. It was built
between 1905 and 1910 as a commission for the wealthy Milą family in the
upmarket Gracia district serving as an apartment and an office block. A visit to
the Casa Milą allows you to get a taste of wealthy Catalan society a century ago
as you wander through the fascinating rooms of the family home. The roof is
particulary interesting with its selection of Modernist sculptures and chimneys
from where you can see the Sagrada Familia in the distance. At weekends from
July to September at 9pm you can go on the roof of La Pedrera and enjoy 'La
Pedrera de Nit' when you can have a glass of cava (Catalan champagne) on the
roof to the accompaniment of classical music.
Casa Batlló
Address: Passeig de Grącia, 43
Metro: Passeig de Grącia (exit Calle Aragó-Rambla Catalunya)
Opening hours: 9am-2pm (Mon-Sat); 9am-8pm (Sun)
Entrance Fees & Opening Hours at the
Casa Batlló Website.
Just down the Passeig de Grącia on the other side of the road from La Pedrera is
another classic Gaudi structure. This building was also commissioned by a
wealthy local businessman, Josep Batlló, to serve mainly as a family home.
Although Gaudi originally designed the building to look like St George's Dragon
your imagination can run away with you as you stare at the structure from
outside. Typical observations are of tiles used to portray fish scales,
balconies that look like bird's nests and a roof than resembles a dinosaur's
back!
More Gaudi Buildings
As well as the Gaudi buildings described above, there are
around 25 more spread around the city. Not all of the works are open to the
public but they're still worth looking for if Gaudi architecture is an
important reason for your visit. The biggest concentration of these
buildings is in the Gracia district of Barcelona, just north of Plaza
Catalunya.
Take a look at this
Gaudi buildings map to get some idea where you'll find all his main works.
You'll also find this map of Barcelona's
Modernism buildings useful.
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