Antoni Gaudi is the architect most often associated with Catalan Modernism and Barcelona. Much of his work was done in Barcelona, where tributes to him abound. We never thought of ourselves as fans of “architecture,” but Barcelona made us reconsider. In a city blessed with beautiful buildings, parks and streets, Gaudi’s work is the most prominent and impressive. Learning about Gaudi’s life and seeing a few of his masterpieces in person has been fascinating. Gaudi’s work is inspired primarily by his religion – he was a devout Roman Catholic — and by nature itself.
We were introduced to Gaudi’s works last year as we walked the Camino de Santiago through northern Spain. His Casa Botines is a prominent feature in Leon, and our visit to the Bishop’s Palace he designed is a highlight of Astorga. We only viewed Casa Botines from outside, but the Bishop’s Palace, now known in Astorga as the Gaudi Palace, is open to the public. It’s a lovely, bright and fascinating building.
While in Barcelona, we were excited to see other Gaudi works. We visited Casa Vicens, Casa Mila (also known as La Pedrera), and checked out the fascinating façade of Casa Batllo. On a Saturday we took a walking tour to visit Park Guell and the Sagrada Familia. We were so enthralled by the Sagrada Familia, this still unfinished masterpiece, that we returned on Sunday morning to hear mass in this amazing and glorious space.
Casa Vicens: Commissioned in 1883, Casa Vicens was the first house designed by Gaudi in Barcelona. A uniquely colorful building, Gaudi’s first major work of architecture integrates Moorish, oriental, and neo-classical styles. Recently renovated, it is now a museum open to the public.
Casa Batllo (1904-1906): In 1904 Gaudi was commissioned to redesign an existing structure in Barcelona. We viewed only the fascinating façade, although visitors can also explore the beautiful interior. The roof of Casa Batllo suggests the spine of a dragon, while the round column to the left of center, the one with the turret and cross at the top, represents the sword of St. George – patron saint of Gaudi’s beloved Barcelona – defeating the dragon.
Casa Mila / La Pedrera (1906-1912): The last private residence designed by Gaudi was Casa Mila, today considered a masterpiece of Modernism and in 1984 declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. In its own day, however, Casa Mila’s unique and original structure was controversial and given the derogative name of “La Pedrera” which means “The Stone Quarry.”
Park Guell (1900-1914): Earlier, Gaudi had designed a palace, “Palau Guell” (1884-1886) for wealthy industrialist Eusebi Guell. Pleased with this and other collaborations, Guell commissioned Gaudi to design an urban neighborhood for Barcelona. While the “housing project” never quite materialized, a great deal of the park was built, and it was opened as a public park in 1926.
Sagrada Familia (“Sacred Family”): Although construction began in 1882 under another architect, Gaudi took over as chief architect in 1883, imposing his own unique style. He spent the rest of his life devoted to this great work. When he died in 1926, the project was less than a quarter complete, but the Nativity Façade you can see today was completed in Gaudi’s time. Gaudi himself is buried in the crypt.
The church is still not complete, but Gaudi’s successors have lovingly contributed to realizing his vision as work continues today. With more modern construction techniques, they hope to complete the work in six years. It may seem unusual to have construction on a building take so long, 1882-2026, nearly a century and a half. But many of the most admired cathedrals in Europe were under construction for multiple centuries. The Sagrada Familia is a breathtaking achievement, even though now incomplete. Even our most beautiful pictures don’t compare to standing in that space and seeing this most beautiful church.
