Antoni Gaudí i Cornet was a renowned Catalan architect born on June 25, 1852, in Reus, Catalonia, Spain. He is best known for his groundbreaking work in the Modernisme (Catalan Art Nouveau) architectural movement. His designs are characterized by organic forms, vibrant colors and intricate mosaics.
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Top attraction in Barcelona
Enjoy art and nature at Park Güell, an oasis of color and design in the city.
Park Güell was designed and built by the renowned Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. It was commissioned by Eusebi Güell, a wealthy industrialist and Gaudí’s patron, who envisioned the park as part of a residential garden city project.
Gaudí, known for his unique Modernisme style and his ability to blend architecture with nature, began construction in 1900, and the park was completed in 1914. Though the original residential project was never fully realized, Park Güell became one of Gaudí’s most famous works and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Gaudí’s biography information:
Additional Facts: Gaudí was deeply inspired by nature, incorporating its forms, shapes, and colors into his architectural designs. He was a devout Catholic, and much of his later work, especially the Sagrada Família, reflects his strong religious beliefs.
Gaudí passed away on June 10, 1926, after being struck by a tram in Barcelona. At the time of his death, the Sagrada Família was still under construction, and it remains incomplete today, though work continues following his original plans.
Before visiting Park Güell, it is recommended to check information on hours of operation, ticket prices, and any temporary closures or restrictions. It is also advisable to plan your visit in advance and arrive early to avoid crowds and long lines. It is recommended to wear comfortable clothing and shoes, and to bring water and sun protection.
Antoni Gaudí was born in Reus, a small Catalan town on June 25, 1852. The young Gaudí was especially friendly as a child and spent his summers at the family’s summer house in the small village of Riudoms.
In 1870 he moved to Barcelona, where he began studying architecture. He would not complete his education until 8 years later, as his military obligations and other setbacks would delay his studies.
It is said that he was not particularly consistent as a student but managed to work with some of his professors. When he graduated from the architecture school, its Director, Elies Rohed, is quoted as saying of Gaudí: “I don’t know if we awarded the diploma to a paranoid man or a genius. Time will tell”.
Gaudí began his studies in architecture at the School of Architecture in Barcelona, where he enrolled in 1873 and graduated in 1878. His education was marked by a focus on various artistic influences, including Gothic architecture.
After graduation, Gaudí worked for Eusebi Güell. His first major project under Güell was the Palau Güell, completed in 1888, which demonstrated his innovative use of space and materials.
Gaudí’s career took a transformative turn when he began working on the Sagrada Familia in 1883. This iconic basilica became his lifelong project, embodying his distinctive style characterized by organic forms and elaborate detail. Throughout his career, Gaudí also took on various projects like Casa Batlló and Casa Milà (La Pedrera). His work experience and studies significantly shaped Gaudí’s architectural philosophy, making him a pivotal figure in Catalan Modernisme.
On the evening of June 7, 1926, immersed in his thoughts, Antoni Gaudí leaves, as he does every night, from the vespers of the San Felipe church bound for the Sagrada Familia, where he has been staying for the last time.
The unlucky 74-year-old was hit by a tram car passing by. Antoni Gaudi falls unconscious to the ground. None of the passers-by imagines that the old man in worn clothes, who did not carry an ID, could be the famous architect of Barcelona.
Gaudí is taken to the hospital in Santa Cruz, where he is recognized by the priest of the Sagrada Familia. He succumbed to his injuries on June 10, 1926, with his funeral gathering thousands of citizens from Barcelona who wanted to say their last goodbyes to the city’s most famous architect.
Gaudí seems to be particularly interested in the Gothic style, a trend common throughout Europe, which makes him open to all artistic currents of the time. Gaudí’s architectural style went through several phases. His work period can be divided into two phases:
Barcelona is filled with the master’s magnificent creations. The first big commission given to the architect Antoni Gaud was the Casa Vicens typically known as the House of Vicens. Discover Gaudi’s formerly undiscovered creation, the Casa Vicens. It was hidden for many years amid the Grácia neighborhood’s winding streets. It is now welcoming guests for the first time.
The home is regarded as a “modernism” pioneering. Between 1883 and 1885, it was created as a vibrant summer home for the Vicens family. Though a distinct evolution can be observed, one can already recognize later Gaudi’s handwriting in Casa Vicens. The building is open to visitors for the past couple of years.
Architect: Antoni Gaudí
Architectural Style: Modernisme (Catalan Art Nouveau)
Construction Years: 1883 – 1888
Function: Private residence
Location: Gràcia, Barcelona
Notable Features: The house features colorful tiles, floral motifs, and a blend of Gothic and Moorish influences.
Palau Güell was the first large building designed by Antoni Gaudi in the center of Barcelona, and with it, his reputation soared. It is located near the main pedestrian street of La Rambla and was completed in 1888, following a commission by the industrialist and patron of the architect Eusebi Guell.
Concerts and receptions were held in the central music hall, attended by the city’s economic and social elite. Above the square central hall that symbolizes the earth rises the dome-sky of the building.
Architect: Antoni Gaudí
Architectural Style: Modernisme
Construction Years: 1886 – 1890
Function: Private mansion for Eusebi Güell
Location: El Raval, Barcelona
Notable Features: The building is known for its ornate ironwork, parabolic arches, and the impressive rooftop chimneys adorned with colorful tile
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Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Familia (Purification Temple of the Holy Family) is the full name of Europe’s most peculiar church that was Antoni Gaudi’s magnum opus, while today it is the emblem of Barcelona and a World Heritage Site. It’s famous both for its uniqueness and for the fact that the architect died before he could complete it.
What makes the Sagrada Familia special is its symbolism, which is present in all the elements. The three aspects stand out, each with a different orientation, related to the life of Christ. The Nativity to the east, the Passion to the west, and the Resurrection and Glory to the south. As well as the three entrance gates which symbolize faith, hope, and charity. In general, the whole work consists of sculptures, Gaudi’s greatness, and originality, combined with his ideas, which were based on the laws of nature, compose a unique result, making him one of the best architects in world history.
Architect: Antoni Gaudí
Architectural Style: Modernisme (with Gothic and Art Nouveau influences)
Construction Years: 1882 – Present (ongoing)
Function: Basilica
Location: Eixample, Barcelona
Notable Features: Famous for its intricate facades, towering spires, and elaborate interior inspired by nature, the Sagrada Familia is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and remains under construction, expected to be completed in the coming years.
One of them is Casa Milá, also known as “La Pedrera”, which was built between 1906 and 1910. It is a residential complex in which Gaudí applied the most modern techniques of metal structures to realize an almost poetic idea. An eight-story corner apartment building with an undulating facade, which extends around two circular courtyards, while in its basement is the city’s first parking lot. The innovative building has perfect ventilation, it is made of iron and concrete and there are no straight lines anywhere.
The architect has also taken care of its interior, while on its roof the visitor is impressed by the surreal sculptures, which are actually the air ducts and chimneys of the apartment building. The elements of metal, the colors, and the chimneys that stand out compose a special effect, as the original idea of Casa Milá was to look like a huge rock on which a statue of Our Lady of Rosario would be placed, which in the end was not placed and that is why the reason was considered a work in progress by Gaudi himself.
Architect: Antoni Gaudí
Architectural Style: Modernisme
Construction Years: 1906 – 1912
Function: Residential building
Location: Eixample, Barcelona
Notable Features: Recognized for its undulating stone façade, wrought iron balconies, and a rooftop terrace featuring sculptural chimneys.
Combo: Park Güell and Sagrada Familia
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