Gaudi’s Barcelona
By NomadicMatt | Published: October 5, 2009
Everywhere you go in Barcelona, you’ll see his influence and his buildings. Antoni Gaudi is to Barcelona as Frank Lloyd Wright is to Chicago. Gaudi is Barcelona’s most famous architect- not only because of his tragic death getting killed by a tram, but also because of his unique style, use of nature, and catalog of work. Antoni Gaudi was a Spanish Catalan architect who belonged to the Art Nouveau movement. Gaudí’s first designed in the style of Gothic and traditional Catalan architectural modes, but he soon developed his own famous style. He even developed a new method of structural calculation based on a model built with cords and sacks of lead. His work is a real visual treat. If you like unique architecture, consider doing something different in Barcelona and take a tour of Gaudi’s works:
La Sagrada Familia
The most famous of Gaudi’s work, this church has been in construction for more than 100 years.Gaudi was a devout Catholic and spent over 10 years working just on this project. He put everything he had into it. It is supposed to be finished in 2030. The church blends man, nature, and religion in its detailed architecture. There is also a really great audio tour that fills in a lot of the gaps about the structure and is worth the rental fee.
Gaudi Lamppost, Placia Real
The first commission that Gaudí received as an official from the city was to construct street lamps for the city. He designed them with three and six arms, crowned by a winged helmet, symbol of the commercial power of Barcelona. They are all gone now except for the ones that remain in the Placia Real off La Rambla.
Casa Batllo
Casa Batllo is a building restored by Antoni Gaudí in the early 1900s. It is located in the Eixample district of Barcelona and, like everything Gaudí designed, heavy on the Art Nouveau. The facade is decorated with a mosaic made of broken ceramic tiles that starts in shades of golden orange moving into greenish blues. The roof is arched and has been likened to the back of a dragon.
Palau Guell
Located off La Rambla, this building doesn’t jump out at you like other Gaudi structures. The home is centered on a main room for entertaining high society guests. The main party room has a high ceiling with small holes near the top where lanterns were hung at night from the outside to give the appearance of a starlit sky. There are colorful tree like chimneys on top. It’s easily missed so keep your eye out.
Park Guell
Park Güell is a garden complex, designed and built in the years 1900 to 1914. It is part of the UNESCO. It has since been converted into a municipal garden. The focal point of the park is the main terrace, surrounded by a long bench in the form of a sea serpent. The park is right near La Sagrada Familia and you can buy joint tickets for that and Gaudi’s house, which is located in the park.
Casa Calvet
Casa Calvet was built for a textile manufacturer in the Eixample district of Barcelona. This building is the most conventional of his works, partly because it had to be squeezed in between older structures and partly because it is in one of the nicest sections of Barcelona. The house’s symmetry, balance and orderly rhythm are unusual for Gaudí’s works. However, the curves and double gable at the top, and the projecting oriel at the entrance are modernista elements.
Casa Vicens
Casa Vicens was Gaudí’s first important work. The house is constructed of undressed stone, rough red bricks, and colored ceramic tiles in checkerboard and floral patterns. The owner was the owner of a brick and tile factory, so the ceramic tiles pay tribute to his employment. The tiles were made by the owner too!
Cascada Fountain in Parc de la Ciutadella
Gaudi helped this while he was still a student. While more Baroque in style, the fountain is massive and awe inspiring. While there are still many Gaudi elements in this fountain, Gaudi would leave more of his touch on later works.
Gaudi was a prolific architect and, wandering around Barcelona, you are sure to bump into many of his works. If you plan to visit the inside of these places, keep in mind many of the houses are closed on Mondays. Gaudi is not my favorite designer but he uses color well and his work is always unique. Searching out his works is also a different way to see Barcelona.
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I know La Sagrada Familia is is suppose to be his grand vision, however I found the sight of it gaudy at best (pun intended!). Seriously, his new approach to architectural styling included giant colored fruit on the facades! yikes, I say.
I appreciate a lot of his other buildings in the city though, such as the ones you showcased after the cathedral.
I like some of his work but, like you, I wouldn’t say I am a huge fan.
Great article, Matt –
I was just starting an article about Gaudi for my website http://www.unusual-travel-destinations.com and was wondering if you would be interested in doing a guest article? fida.wild@gmail.com
Have fun in BK and NZ:)
His La Sagrada Familia looks pretty interesting. He’s the only architect in the world whose name I can remember. You’ve taken some beautiful photos there too. Well done.
Do you think they will ever finish La Sagrada Familia? I too thought it was one interesting piece of architecture!
who knows. Eventually they will…but 2030? not sure.
Hi Matt! Profiting from today’s holiday – the 99th anniversary of the Republic in Portugal – I’m happy to have some more time to surf the net and enjoy your blog!
Loved to see your Edinburgh, but this Barcelona is superb. Furthermore I’m reading Carlos Ruiz Zafón (The Shadow of Wind) and Barcelona is all there…
Blogtrotter is showing you Antalya. Enjoy and have a great week!
Glad you are enjoying the city tours!
The Shadow of the Wind is one of my all time favourites. When I was in Barcelona I kept wondering if Fermin could really exist! I’d love to have coffee with him at Placa Reial!
I loved Barcelona and will return there someday.
I would love to go to Barcelona one day! Gaudi’s works are all unique, one of a kind. Thanks Matt for sharing these beautiful pictures.
Hey Matt, Pam from http://www.goseeruneatdrink.blogspot.com/ has been writing about Gaudi as well recently. Maybe you guys could compare findings?
Hi Matt – I enjoyed this post on Gaudi’s Art Nouveau style and the short bio. I didn’t know he was killed by a tram! Interesting…
I have some fond memories of time spent in Barcelona so thanks for the virtual trip back!
I loved this look at a variety of Gaudi structures. I love unusual architecture, and his work always fascinated me. I saw a few small pieces and drawings at the “Barcelona!” exhibit at the Cleveland Museum of Art a few years ago, but I hope to see some of the buildings in person one of these days.
They are really beautiful structures. I hope I get to see La Sagrada Familia somday soon.
Great set of pictures.
I actually like Gaudi. All of his work is unmistakeably original. They are almost fairy tale structures. I really hope to get out to Barcelona next year.
Great list Matt! Visiting Gaudi’s work in Barcelona was definitely one of the highlights of my visit in that city. I can still remember distinctly heading to visit the Sagrada Familia and literally having my breath taken away as it came into view. The church is an incredible work of art and an amazing feat of architecture. I think it will be a pretty amazing sight when it is finally finished.
I´m Spanish but just back from visiting Barcelona for first time last weekend and i have to say i´ve enjoyed reading ur blog Matt, thats a great visual and historical tour. Barcelona is a must see without a doubt, i loved the Park Güell, the Sagrada Familia and the Casa Batlló among other buildings and monuments. Gaudi is a fantastic!!!! I would strongly recommend u to visit Barcelona soon but if you can´t make it now, u can keep updated through this blog atm and to get some tickets for 2030…
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We were in Barcelona for a few days this summer. Even our four year old, who doesn’t appreciate architecture too much yet, had a jaw dropping moment when he saw the facade of the Sagrada Familia. We also enjoyed wandering around Park Guell. We’ll post about our trip to northern Spain on our own blog, and some of the amazing digs we found for travelers on a budget. -Michael
Great post! It can´t be emphasized enough how important Gaudí is to Barcelona. He really led an interesting life, from being one of the most sought after architects to dying alone in a paupers´ hospital.
he gave the biggest impact to the touristic development to barcelona, valencia wants to do the same with Santiago Calatrava with his Cityof Arts and Science, they will never get this level