Sagrada Familia. Park Güell. Casa Milà. Palau Guell. Casa Batlló. Casa Vicens. Everywhere you go in Barcelona, you will find a bit of Antoni Gaudí - there will always be a part of Gaudi in Barcelona. All that amazing architecture that will stop you in your tracks and leave you awestruck with its magic and grandeur is thanks to Gaudí, one of the best architects of modern times. Gaudí pioneered the Modernisme movement in Catalonia in the 20th century.

The Modernisme movement started as a response to the aftermath of the Industrial revolution. The bourgeoisie class wanted to assert their culture and wanted their homes and buildings to reflect that. This style was almost poetic and used a mix of construction material with textures and contrasts. There was also a focus on applied arts and artistic work. Gaudí kick-started the movement and is known for his unorthodox architectural elements and inspiration from nature. His work inspired several other artists who transformed the entire Eixample area of Barcelona with their works.

Antoni Gaudí is a true Catalan treasure; he has contributed to the landscape of Barcelona unlike any other artist. What stands today are timeless architectural classics that will be admired and loved by generations.

Understanding Gaudí’s Architecture

If there was one term that could define Antoni Gaudí’s style it would be avant garde. He was always evolving as an architect and pushing ideas that were radical for the times he lived in. Through his architectural journey he was influenced by many styles including neo-Gothic, Catalan Medieval, Oriental and Islamic which he used blending in with his own style. In his later years, he started to veer towards exploring his own personal style which led to the evolution of the Catalan Modernisme.

He also started leaning towards naturalist style and began taking inspiration from nature. The curves which are predominantly found in all his works are a tribute to the natural forms which are never found in straight lines. He was always motivated by creating grand structures and had a flair for the extravagant. He also approached execution differently and used 3D models instead of drawing plans. In fact, the current construction of the Sagrada Familia is undertaken from the many models he made.

Best of Gaudí in Barcelona

Antoni Gaudí is the only architecture apart from Le Corbusier to have been recognised by the UNESCO as worthy of Heritage status. The Works of Antoni Gaudí have been recognised as an outstanding contribution to the modern movement. These comprise of seven buildings which are spread across Barcelona and are truly a visual treat. Over the years, Gaudí has become synonymous with Barcelona and there is no way a visit to Barcelona is complete without a visit to his works.

Sagrada Familia

Introduction

The Sagrada Familia is dedicated to the glory of Christ, and of the natural world. The Expiatory Temple of the Sagrada Familia is a church and was consecrated in 2010 by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI. It is a grand architectural wonder designed by Gaudí, who was an ardent believer and wanted to create a place of worship that would be a testament to the glory of Christianity.

The monumental church is still is under construction and is likely to finish only in 2022, more than 140 years after the first foundation stone was laid. Gaudí was inspired by Gothic and Byzantine cathedrals, and included iconography from both Christianity and nature. You will be awestruck the moment you stand in front of the Sagrada Familia, the weirdly wonderful architecture with extreme detailing is bound to make your jaw drop!

Why You Cannot Miss It

You cannot visit Barcelona and not visit the Sagrada Familia! It’s the symbol of Barcelona across the world; this epic church building is the icon of ambition and passion. It is the shining star of Gaudí’s Barcelona, being his ultimate work of art that will stand tall for centuries. The elevated bell towers, extravagant facades, and eccentric interiors all sing the praises of God and the abundance of nature. It is also a UNESCO Heritage Site that recognises the immortal relevance of this architectural showpiece, which will continue to inspire and amaze generations to come. It’s a sight to behold and you simply cannot miss it on your Gaudí Barcelona tour.

Casa Mila

Introduction

Casa Milà is Gaudí’s last signature project before he moved on to the construction of the epic Sagrada Familia. The residential development project was his last civil commission and he went all out with his creative genius in designing the building. The Casa Milà popularly is known as ‘La Pedrera’ which means ‘stone quarry’ referring to its façade which resembles an open quarry.

The premium residential building was finished in 1912 and was constructed for Pere Mila and his wife. The five floor majestic building spills over two adjacent streets and a corner. Its undulating curves and the soft creamy stone make it appear to be in constant motion with the time of the day and the seasons. Gaudí outshone himself as he managed to immortalize nature in stone through this magnificent work of art!

Why You Cannot Miss It

Casa Milà is a UNESCO Heritage Site belonging to Gaudí’s Barcelona. This building was designed at the peak of his Modernisme movement where he experimented with architectural elements and forms. He had used nature as an inspiration across all his works, but it is in Casa Milà that he has encapsulated natural and organic forms beautifully. The pattern of butterfly wings on the gates, the creeping vines on the staircases and the stunning flower motifs in the foyers - everything is inspired by nature. The interiors are designed on an open plan system where the residents could adapt and create their own living style. Even the terrace, which was never utilised as a space worthy of design, was turned into art. The chimneys, too, stand over like sentinels overlooking the city of Barcelona!

Casa Batlló

Introduction

Casa Batlló is a magical architectural wonder and Gaudí’s best work at the prime of his career. He stretched the limits of imagination and creativity with this residential house, commissioned to him by textile entrepreneur Josep Batlló. Casa Batlló was renovated and not built from the scratch, which brought its own set of limitations. Yet, Gaudí created a poetic and enigmatic façade which has been likened to a painting, almost in motion. The undulating curves of the façade and the colors of the windows are awe-inspiring and mesmerize tourists.

Why You Cannot Miss It

The Casa Batlló is a UNESCO Heritage Site and is considered to be the most original of the Catalan Modernism architecture pioneered by Gaudí. The building is open to interpretation; the colourful and intense façade has been compared to the water lily paintings of Monet, as well as been called as ‘The House of Bones’ due to the hollows and columns on the rostrum. The interiors are also a work of art, the attic especially is the crowning glory and its parabolic arches are like the rib cage of an animal. Gaudí has mastered the use of natural light and a variety of materials to create this masterpiece that can only be justified with a visit in person!

Torres Bellesguard

Introduction

Torres Bellesguard gives the distinct impression of a medieval castle and was Gaudí’s attempt to pay homage to Catalan Gothic style of architecture. The stone structure finished in 1909 is in fact a residential home and a part of the property is open for visitors. Bellesguard is an important place in Catalan history and was the location of the palace of Martin I, the last King of the Barcelona dynasty. The word ‘Bellesguard’ itself means a good view referring to the strategic location of the building. Gaudí used architectural elements in the building of Torres Bellesguard which he would later use in the building of Sagrada Familia.

Why You Cannot Miss It

Torres Bellesguard is certainly one of the lesser known buildings of Gaudí in Barcelona but nevertheless it is a spectacular building worth seeing. The Gothic exterior of the building is Spartan and appears forbidding. However, the interior is a contrast with white walls and huge windows that maximise the natural light flooding in the building.

The exterior has all the elements of old Catalan Gothic design including the crenellations, elongated windows and a tall pointed tower with the typical Gaudí cross. It is a unique architectural style and a departure from the decorative and colourful style that had become synonymous with Gaudí.

Park Güell

Introduction

Park Güell is the remnant of ambition that never came to fruition. It was the brainchild of Eusebi Guell, who wanted to create a housing development for the well-to-do families of Barcelona in the 1900s. The vision was to create a fully functional residential property where the residents could enjoy being close to nature on Carmel Hill. Yet, due to economic distress, it never took off completely. But what remains itself is so valuable that it was noted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Park Güell remains one of Gaudí’s most remarkable creations and a must-visit stop on your Gaudí Barcelona Tour.

Why You Cannot Miss It

Park Güell is quirky and aptly iconized by the colourful salamander which is decorated with vibrant trencadis ceramic work. The entire property was planned to blend in with the nature and included a lot of organic structures in its architecture. The development was well planned as can be seen in the large market place (Hypostyle room), a huge arena now known as the Nature Square and the beautiful roadways, paths and viaducts. The mighty Dragon stairway leading to the marketplace embodies the grandeur of the place. Every detail, and nook and cranny is wonderfully designed and makes one wonder what would have it been if it was completed!

Gaudí House Museum

Introduction

The Gaudí House Museum is an ode to the life and times of Antoni Gaudí, however, unlike the other buildings, it was not designed by Gaudí. The building was designed by his assistant, Francesc Berenguer i Mestres in the Catalan modernist style. The house was in fact a show house for the Park Güell housing development project, which never took off. This was one of the only two houses in the Park Güell, and was purchased by Gaudí’s father who stayed there till his death. Gaudí himself stayed there for twenty years before moving to Sagrada Familia to look over the construction. Today, the house is taken care by the Construction Board of Sagrada Familia and has been converted into a museum dedicated to Gaudí.

Why You Cannot Miss It

The Gaudí House Museum is a great place to understand the life of Antoni Gaudí. He was a maverick and an architectural genius like no other in the modern times. The house itself is beautiful, and its pink stucco walls stand pretty against the verdant gardens. The pink is contrasted against the green tile roofing and windows, and a pointed tower with beautiful trencadis ceramic that rises above the house. The museum houses furniture and other objects designed by Gaudí, as well as his personal effects. Located within the Park Güell, a visitor of the Gaudí trail must definitely pay homage to him at the Museum!

Casa Vicens

Introduction

The colourful Casa Vicens was the first commissioned work by Gaudí, right after he graduated from college. Completed in 1888, the house was commissioned by Manuel Vicens Montaner, a local businessman. Casa Vicens was simple in structure but ornate in its colourful decoration, and hinted towards the future evolution of Catalan Modernism and Gaudí’s more ornate and complex works to come. The beautiful ceramic tiles are quintessential to the Casa Vicens décor and one cannot be satisfied with just a glance! The architecture is a mix of styles, including Moorish and Mudejar, influences and also uses a variety of materials like stone for the base walls, wood for the panelling, and wrought iron for the fences and railings.

Why You Cannot Miss It

The Casa Vicens is an important stop during your tour of Gaudí in Barcelona, primarily because it is where all the magic started. The house is the perfect mix of eclectic tastes and exuberance, making it the perfect summer house. It is a pleasure to walk along the exterior of the house admiring the intricate work on the tiles inspired by Islamic and Oriental art. One can also find the original wooden furniture designed by Gaudí himself, as well as a valuable collection of 32 paintings by Francesc Torrescassana. Gaudí’s obsession with dramatic terraces starts here. He created the first accessible roof in Casa Vicens , which has a beautiful cupola clad in ceramic tiles.

Palau Güell

Introduction

The Palau Güell (Palace Güell) is one of Gaudí’s best works in Barcelona. The urban palace built from 1885 to 1890 was commissioned by Eusebi Guell, Gaudí’s main patron. The palace is essentially a residential home of epic proportions. The sombre exterior of the building located on the Nou De La Rambla Street is no indicator of the ornate beauty within the walls. The Palace Güell is heavily inspired by Roman and Islamic architecture, and uses wrought iron, brick, and stone throughout the building. Each room and space in the building is meant to evoke a sense of grandeur and inspire awe in visitors to the grand Palace.

Why You Cannot Miss It

The Palace Güell is a UNESCO Heritage Site and a must-visit destination on your Gaudí Barcelona Tour. The atrium is one of the highlights of the Palace and runs three floors high with a symmetrical roof. The terrace of the Palace Güell is iconic and the twenty chimneys stand apart as works of art. Each colourful structure is covered with ceramic work, marble, porcelain, and sandstone to create a unique masterpiece. Some of the other striking spaces in the Palace Güell include the basement, with its monstrous brick pillars, and the ground floor with its wrought iron gates and its formidable stone work.

Casa Calvet

Introduction

The Casa Calvet is Gaudí’s first work in the Eixample, an upcoming neighbourhood in the 1900s. The building was commissioned by the Calvet family, who ran a textile business and wanted a building that functioned both as a residential and a commercial property. The building is an amalgamation of historic Catalan Baroque elements like the Catalan ceiling, while also including modernist elements like the dream-like wrought iron balconies and rounded columns.

The Casa Calvet is located in the same neighbourhood as the more popular Casa Milà and Casa Batlló. Today, there is a restaurant by the same name ‘Casa Calvet’ that runs on the ground floor of the building. You can stop over there during your Gaudi in Barcelona tour, and enjoy a meal amidst the exquisite interiors designed by Gaudí himself!

Why You Cannot Miss It

The Casa Calvet won the best building of the year back in 1900 by the City Council of Barcelona. It is the only building that won recognition during the lifetime of Gaudí, and was well appreciated, setting a precedent for other buildings in the area. The sandstone exterior of the building is a mix of the flat walls and the elegant balconies which make it stand apart from the others in the area. The interiors and even the furniture have been designed by Gaudí himself, and are a treat for the eyes. The interiors especially hark back to the Baroque era, and one part you just cannot miss is a beautiful staircase with eye popping blue tiles lining it.

Colegio Teresiano de Barcelona

Introduction

The College of Teresians is a striking institutional building, one of the lesser known projects of Gaudí in Barcelona. Its architecture is angular and its exterior includes more straight lines than any other of his projects. Predominantly made of brick and stone, the college is austere yet imposing in its demeanour. It was commissioned to Gaudí in 1889.

The building was to be used as a women’s boarding college, headquarters of the Teresian Congregation, and a study house for the nuns of the order. Gaudí had to work with tight budgets for the construction in order to stick to the congregation’s vow of poverty. This however did not stop him from being imaginative and including symbolism through the architecture.

Why You Cannot Miss It

The dramatic exterior of the red brick and stone building with crenellations and pinnacles lend the building a medieval vibe. Since Gaudí couldn’t experiment with expensive materials, he innovated with light and shadow. The parabolic archways on the first floor of the college are probably Gaudí’s best work with natural light and shadow. The iron-wrought gate is intricate and a masterpiece. Like other works of Gaudí in Barcelona, the college also has symbolism all over the place. At the college, the letter T has been used abundantly to symbolise ‘Saint Theresa’. The clean lines and stark contrasts of the interiors are a departure from Gaudí’s other work which makes this a must visit destination, especially for photographers and architects.