Antoni Gaudí
(1852-1926) was the greatest figure of the Art Nouveau movement
in Catalonia known as "Modernisme" and one of the most
important modernist style architects world wide, either loved or
hated by most people. Born in Reus (Baix Camp) Catalonia on June
25, 1852, his schooldays were spent in the Escoles Pies at Reus.
After leaving the school, he went to Barcelona where he studied
at the Institut d'Ensenyament Mitja and in the Sciences Faculty
of Barcelona University where he graduated as architect in 1878.
Many of his most extraordinary works, which are famous all over
the world, are to be found in Barcelona, such as the Sagrada Familia,
the Holy Family, his greatest achievement, which one day maybe will
be even get finished...
Sagrada Familia
1884 - unfinished
The monumental church "El Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família"
is Gaudí's most famous work, the finest example of his visionary
genius, and a world-wide icon for Barcelona. Gaudí undertook
the task in 1883 on the site of a previous neo-Gothic project begun
in 1882 by F. del Villar and dedicated the last years of his life
to this monumental work, changing not only the aesthetic of work,
but giving to it a gigantic dimension with eighteen bell towers
representing the Apostles, four towers representing the Evangelists,
one representing the Virgin Mary, and the biggest one with 170 meters
high, crowned with the cross of four branches typical of Gaudí,
symbolizing Jesus Christ. Every window, column, element and shape
referrers to saints, institutions or mysteries of catholic faith.
Today surpassing 100 years from it's start, the works follow with
the timing of a medieval cathedral, not really too quick!! Nevertheless
the optimistic think in a end of works into the first quarter of
XXI century...
Address: Plaça de la Sagrada Família
Metro: Sagrada Família
Casa Vicens
1883-1888
The Casa Vicens, is an imaginative residential project built between
1883 and 1888 for the ceramics industrialist Manuel Vicens i Montaner
(this is reflected in the façade with a big variety of ceramic
decoration). This one of the first important Gaudí's project
and the building's structure is still dominated by straight lines
and different volumes separated by angles in an opposite concept
to the curved shapes of La Pedrera. But, the decorative tiles and
fanciful turrets show ideas that Gaudí would not cease to
cultivate.
Address: Carrer de les Carolines 24
Metro: Fontana
Palau Güell
1888-1889
The Palau Güell (Güell Palace), is a luxurious urban residence
built between 1886 and 1888 for the family of Eusebi Güell
Bacigalupi, Count of Güell, textile industrialist and marquis's
of Comillas son-in-law. It is the first large scale work by Gaudí
which uses new ideas in construction coupled with an innovative
interpretation of historical styles. In this case, Gaudí
drew upon the Gothic and Moorish in a splendid combination of the
creative and unusual...
Address: Carrer Nou de la Rambla 3-5
Metro: Liceu
Parc Güell
1900-1905
An urban park next to Carrer d'Olot standing on the Muntanya Pelada
to the north of the Barcelona district of Gràcia. Gaudí
planned and directed the construction of the park from 1900 to 1914
for Eusebi Güell as infrastructure and facilities for a residential
aristocratic city-garden based on English models. The project finally
was not a success and consequently it became a municipality property
and since 1923 being transformed in a public park. It is one of
Gaudí's most colourful and playful works. The main gateway
show two administrative pavilions made in stone, roofs of Catalan
vaults and covered of "trencadis" (surfaces covered with
irregular ceramic pieces) who is also profusely present in the park
and also in other Gaudí works and Art Nouveau architecture.
Entering into the park, it is a stairway divided by different figures
before to arrive to a colonnade hall with 86 massive columns sustaining
the big square. The big square is a nice balcony overlooking Barcelona
and the sea, delimited by an undulated bench covered itself with
"trencadis". This large square is used as a place for
cultural and popular meetings and the park is developed around this
central square.
A large network of serpentine paths with extraordinary architectural
solutions is the perfect solution to walk quietly to enjoy nature,
look at this Gaudí artwork or visit Gaudí's house
in the park which is now a museum where you can see some furniture
designed by the master.
Address: Carrer d'Olot - Carretera del Carmel
Metro: Lesseps, Vallcarca (plus a long walk).
Casa Batlló
1904-1906
The colourful Casa Batlló (Batlló House) is the result
of a total refurbishment of an old previous conventional house built
in 1877.
Gaudí was commissioned by the owner, the textile industrialist
Josep Batlló i Casanovas, to totally renew the old building.
On that base, Gaudí projected this astonishing house, one
of the most fancy and "special" of Barcelona. Outside,
Gaudí carried out one of the most impressive and brilliant
urban façades of the world. He used for it the typical constructive
elements of the Modernisme (Catalan Art Nouveau) as the ceramics,
the stone and the iron forged. Along with two Modernista works,
the Casa Amatller by Puig i Cadafalch (1900) and the Casa Lleó
Morera by Domènech i Montaner (1905), the Casa Batlló
makes up the Mançana de la Discòrdia (Block of Discord).
Address: Passeig de Gràcia 43
Metro: Passeig de Gràcia
Casa Milà
- La Pedrera 1906-1911
This is one of the main Gaudí residential buildings and one
of the most imaginative houses of the architecture history, this
building is more an sculpture that a building. This fantasy in stone
appears to have been carved out of the living rock, hence its nickname
"La Pedrera - the quarry". In fact, the façade
is an impressive, varied and harmonious mass of undulating stone
without straight lines where also the forged iron is present in
the shapes of balconies imitating vegetal forms. Today the building
is owned by Caixa Catalunya, a Catalan bank. You can visit an apartment
which has been carefully restored and furnished, and in the magical
attic space there is an exhibition of Gaudí's work. Do not
forget to visit the roof with its spectacular chimneys and views.
The first floor is now used for temporary art exhibitions. This
was Gaudí's last secular work before dedicating the rest
of his life to the Sagrada Família.
Address: Passeig de Gracia 92
Metro: Passeig de Gràcia or Diagonal
