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Barcelona’s
most famous and brilliant modernist architect, Antoni Gaudi
(1852-1926), built his most famous work in this city. His work can be
found throughout Barcelona. This section describes those buildings one
should visit. |
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hours of operation as they change from time to time. |
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SAGRADA FAMILIA.
This structure was begun in 1882 and is still unfinished. One of the
most recognizable structures in Barcelona. One cannot do justice to this
building in the space available here. Suffice to say that it is a very
different structure, which is still being built. It has two main
facades, the Nativity, and the Passion. It has a number of sculptures
contributed by different artists.
Be aware that in as much as this is a
principal attraction in the city, it draws tourists from every country
in earth. You may wish to consult hours of operation |
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Location is Plaza Sagrada Familia. Tel. 93-455 0247 (Zone 4) |
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CASA MILA (LA PEDRERA). Along
with the Sagrada familia, this building is one of the most recognizable
in Barcelona. Fully restored, it has now the splendor Gaudi intended. At
one point the attic had been modified to include some thirteen
apartments (they are now gone). An important feature of this building is
the roof which contains several chimneys. Their shade and style have
become a symbol of Barcelona. |
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Location: Paseo de Gracia 92. Tel. 93 484 5900 (Zone 4) |
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 CASA CALVET. This building dates
from 1888 - 89. Here Gaudi developed a new concept in the use of
decorations and fixtures which took him to the more vegetation type of
forms of the Modernist movement.
Bulging balconies alternate with smaller and shallower
balconies. In 1900 this building was awarded a
prize by the Barcelona city hall. This is generally considered Gaudi’s
more mainstream work. |
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Location. Casp 48 (Zone 4) |
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TERESIANES ORDER SCHOOL. In this
building Gaudi uses for the first time continuous parabolic arches as a
structural solution to avoid beams foe floors and roofs. |
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Location. Ganduxer 85-105 (Zone 4) |
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| CASA BATTLO
Next to Barcelona’s other architectural jewels stands this
simple but incredible building. The curved shapes and
anthropomorphic suggestions make it an eerie sight when
illuminated at night. Here Gaudi used all his favorite
materials, such as ceramic tiles (roof) and mosaics. This
building cannot be visited inside. |
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Location: Paseo de Gracia at Arago
(Zone 5) |
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PARK GUELL. One of Barcelona’s
large urban parks. Originally intended to be an English style garden
city. The familiar Gaudi curves, and mosaic work are in full evidence
all over the park, from the benches to the porticos. This is not only a
beautiful park, but also a good place to view Barcelona from up high
looking toward the sea. |
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Location: Olot street, hours are from 10 am to 9
pm. Tel 93 213 0488 |
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CASA VICENS. This residential
house was one of Gaudi’s first major commission. It was built between
1883 and 1888. He chose an oriental historicity style, structured with
stone, brick, and a very rich ceramic tile decoration. This is where
Gaudi first used parabolic arches. The house cannot be visited inside,
but there are excellent views from the street.
The plan is asymmetrical with
protruding gables and buttresses. Galleries project out at the
top. Rooftop towers are indicative of Moorish architecture. |
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The house is
constructed of undressed stone, rough red bricks, and colored
ceramic tiles in checkerboard patterns. Manuel Vicens
was the owner of a brick and tile factory so the ceramic tiles
pay tribute to his work. |
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Location: Caroline 24 (Zone 6) |
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| CASA BELLESGUARD. This private
house has very beautiful gothic castle-like appearance. The last king of
the Catalan dynasty, Martin the Humane, had a castle here in 1410 which
was used as a summer residence and this served as an inspiration to
Gaudi. In this building, built between 1900 and 1909, Gaudi experimented
with innovative ways of creating roofs and terraces without the use of
beams, by using very low overhanging brick arches.
The pointed tower, iron gate, and
battlements on the roof make Bellesguard look like something
from the medieval times. The current owners
allow visitors to take photographs in the garden. |
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Location. Bellesguard 16-20 (Zone 7) |
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THE GUELL PAVILLIONS & FENCE.
This work dating to 1884-87 is considered to be the first synthesis of
technological innovation and decorative workmanship. The garden
represents the Hesperides gardens and is guarded by a spectacular iron
dragon iron fence which evokes the adventures of Hercules in the Garden
of Hesperides. There are many stupendous architectural details such as
the stone orange trees, the complex brickwork, and ceramic incrustations
which is characteristic of Gaudi. |
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Location Avenue Pedrabes 7 (Zone 7) |
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CHURCH OF THE GUELL COLONY. This
project started in 1898 and continued in stages until 1917. The vaults
of the crypt are made with Catalan style brick (hyperbolic paraboloid)
with multi-functional support columns and ribs . There is a great
display of different geometrical structural solutions, some of which
served as practice work for The Sagrada Familia.
It is brilliantly integrated with the
landscape and only 15 kilometres away from the city centre. |
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Location. Santa Coloma de Cervello (12 kms. Outside Barcelona) (Zone 3) |
