Antonio Gaudi

 

Here are five amazing things about Antonio Gaudi

1.) The Gaudi Tour

Park GüellThis guided walking tour will bring you into the heart of Gaudi’s Barcelona. You will discover his most emblematic and most famous works of art. You will also take a stroll around the city, learning about the construction of the biggest neighborhood in Barcelona and about many other traditional things and local anecdotes you will surely take home with you.

2.) Take a walk to the Sagrada Familia Cathedral

La Sagrada FamiliaThis cathedral is likely to be the first building you think of when thinking of Barcelona. Indeed, it is probably the most original cathedral in the entire world! With the decorations and towers, Gaudi did a remarkable work here although he was not able to finish it… Visit Barcelona’s Babel Tower and be ready to take incredible pictures!

3.) Enjoy the unique Casa Batllo

Casa BatllóWith Gaudi, nothing ever seemed symmetrical or reasonably arranged. The Casa Batllo is not an exception to this rule: with its wavy facade and its curved windows, it is definitely going to captivate your attention and make you appreciate Gaudi’s unique style. There is no other place in the world where you can find such a modern but unique (if not crazy!) building.

4.) Visit the Park Guell

Park GüellThis beautiful, massive park is located in the center of Barcelona. Designed by Gaudi, it includes many peculiar details such as the extended bench designed to adapt to the shape of your back, or the magnificent mosaics and sculpted animals like the dragon, nowadays a symbol of Barcelona thanks to Gaudi.

5.) Have a look at the Casa Mila (La Pedrera)

La Pedrera-Casa MilàWelcome to this fairy-tale like house! The Casa Mila looks like a cake, particularly when looking at its top towers over the building. The inner-building is far from being less original: it is empty in the middle and the apartments are really visible. Moreover it has one of the most incredible terraces in Barcelona and is open in summer for live music concerts!

Insider’s tips:

  • Have a look around Casa Mila (La Pedrera). If you visit the roofs of Casa Mila (La Pedrera), you will discover the famous Argonauts Gaudi sculpted. You will also be able to enjoy a beautiful view over the city from this peculiar site.
  • The Church of Colonia Güell is another Gaudi’s unfinished work, because of money and time, which makes it today a bizarre but impressive landmark to see.
  • The entrance fee to the Casa Batllo is a bit expensive (18.5€ per person), but it is worth a visit anyway.
  • For the Sagrada Familia we recommend to book online tickets, otherwise you may have to queue for more than an hour to go inside!

Facts about Antonio Gaudi

Antoni Gaudi was a very famous Spanish architect who lived during the second half of the XIX century and the first quarter of the XX century. His constructions are considered extremely original and innovative. He is considered the most eminent representative of the Catalan modern art. He worked in Barcelona where he built his most famous works of art. Indeed, seven of them are registered in the UNESCO’s world cultural patrimony. We can notably talk about the Sagrada Familia (whose construction started in 1882), the Park Güell (1900-1914), the Casa Mila (La Pedrera, 1905-1910) or the Casa Batllo (1877 and remodeled in 1904-06), among others.

The Sagrada Familia may be the best example of Gaudi’s style. Indeed, this well-known architect had a truly prestigious nickname: God’s Architect. It may be linked to many things including its style, which is typically dream-like. While walking around the Park Güell or in front of the cathedral, you will not believe your eyes. Eccentric, eclectic, out-of-the-beaten-path and beyond any code or style, Gaudi was certainly some kind of “divine” architect. The Sagrada Familia is a mysterious Babel-style church. High, unique, unfinished – Gaudi died before the construction was complete – you won’t find you won’t find any religious landmark like this in the world.

Today, the architectural world has Gaudi to thank because all the new techniques of construction involving wood, clay and other raw materials he introduced. His methods were very peculiar as he used to think of his work globally: he introduced elements such as decoration in architecture, which was very original and has today made his landmarks look like jewels, or precious items.

If not “God’s architect”, it is possible to say that Antoni Gaudi was one of the greatest architects in the world and throughout history.

Sagrada Familia

For any Barcelonian like me, Gaudi is like a symbolic paternal figure for the city. Indeed, he has produced so many wonderful works which offer a mix of culture, art and architecture. With all the unique and beautiful buildings he imagined, designed and constructed, he really is the one who transformed the city of Barcelona into a work of art. The main Gaudi landmarks you must visit in Barcelona are the Sagrada Familia Cathedral, the Parc Güell, the Casa Batllo and La Pedrera. Gaudi is definitely one the greatest architects of all times.

Guide

How to get there

Sagrada Familia:
Metro: L2 and L5 Sagrada Familia
Bus: 19, 3,, 34, 43, 44, 50, 51, B20, B24

Casa Batllo:
“Passeig de Gràcia” (Green Line, L3)

Park Guell:
Metro: L3 Lesseps
Bus: 24 – 31 – 32 – 74 – 92

  • 13 million visitors a year 99%
  • Incredibly detailed 80%
  • Contains hidden mysteries 70%

Opening Hours

Sagrada Familia:
The Church is open between October and March from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm and between April and September from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm.

Casa Batllo:
Every day, 9:00 am to 8:00 pm. But be careful, on specific days, the Casa Batllo closes at 2:00 pm

Park Güell:
Between November and February from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm; between March and October from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm; between May and August from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm.

Casa Mila:
Between November to February from 9:00 am to 6.30 pm; between March and October from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm.

Gaudi Museum:
October – March: From 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.
April – September: From 10:00 am to 8:00 pm.
December 25 and 26 and January 6: From 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
January 1: Closed

Near By

Casa Batlló

1.) Visit the Gaudi Museum:
This museum is dedicated to the man as much as it is dedicated to his work. Here you are going to discover the life of the man who changed the face of Barcelona, making it one of the most visited cities in Europe. Learn more about the main character of the “Modernism” style, the one who never stopped investigating about art and architecture, and make sure you understand why he is so important to Barcelona.

2.) Discover the first work of Gaudi: the Casa Vicens:
This building embodies the style of a much less known Gaudi: the young Gaudi. Indeed, when he was young, he used to be highly influenced by the neo-gothic style of architecture. And you can see this in this building, even if you can already appreciate signs of the originality for which Gaudi became famous.

Why it’s worth visiting

  • Because Gaudi’s style is more than unique. There is no other architect who has been able to stay away from the beaten path as him. Who would wish to miss the opportunity of seeing his works?
  • Because the importance of Gaudi’s work was acknowledged by the UNESCO in 1984. Several of his masterpieces are now part of the UNESCO world heritage.
  • Because the Sagrada Familia is one of the main symbols of Barcelona.
  • Because walking around the Park Güell will make you feel that you are inside a dream.
  • Because Gaudi is an icon of Barcelona, he is the symbol of the Catalan national feeling.