One name you most certainly here about when you visit Barcelona, is Antoni Gaudí. We explain, for those that don’t know, exactly who Antoni Gaudí is and why he is so important to Barcelona.
When you arrive at Barcelona, it doesn’t take too long to ask yourself, who is Antoni Gaudí?. You may also begin to wonder why is he so important to Barcelona. The answer is simple, Antoni Gaudí has created, in his style, some of the most fascinating buildings in Barcelona. It won’t take long, as you explore Barcelona, to soon come across some of Gaudí’s buildings. Many will be intrigued, some may find his works hideous, while others will fall in love with the Gaudí style.
One Gaudí iconic Gaudí building, The Sagrada Família, stands proud and tall as an iconic part of the Barcelona landscape. This truly incredible building ranks as one of Spain’s most visited attractions in almost every ranking. Antoni Gaudí devoted the last years of his life to the Sagrada Família, a project that is still not totally completed.
So, back to the main question, who is Antoni Gaudí? Born Antoni Gaudí i Cornet, 25 June 1852, in either Reus or Riudoms (still debatable which town) in the Baix district of Catalonia. Gaudí was a Catalan Nationalist, religious and a lover of nature. His passion for nature can be seen in many of his projects and forms a major part of the unique Gaudí style.
Gaudí’s father was a Coppersmith, something that may have later influenced such works as Gaudí’s unique Dragon’s Gate and other similar works. Other styles Gaudi adopted in his projects include ceramics and stained-glass. Gaudí was quite unique as he didn’t seem to bother with construction plans, instead a mixture of premade models or even improvisation in some cases.
Barcelona’s Most Important Gaudí Attractions
We have compiled a quick list of some of Antoni Gaudí’s works and projects that can be discovered in Barcelona. Due to the growing popularity of Gaudí, it is best to purchase tickets in advance.
- Plaça Reial lamposts – Two lampposts one with six arms and the other with three arms. These are in Plaça Reial and were one of Antoni Gaudí’s first jobs as an architect. The best thing, they are free to view as you enjoy a beer within this famous square.
- Sagrada Familia – The masterpiece of Gaudí and Barcelona’s most iconic structure. The Sagrada Família is quite simply breathtaking both inside and out. Even people who were not too keen on visiting this church, leave almost mesmerized by its incredible design.
- Park Güell – Long-time friend and confident of Gaudí, Eusebi Güell, wanted to create a park with houses to sell. The houses didn’t sell, but the park is now one of the most visited attractions in Barcelona. There are many wonderful Gaudí design elements within Park Güell to discover.
- La Pedrera / Casa Milà – Casa Milà, or La Pedrera as it is known, wasn’t one of Gaudí’s smoothest projects. There were a few problems, ending up with Gaudí in court. However, it remains today one of the most unique buildings in Barcelona.
- Casa Batlló – A house re-designed by Antoni Gaudí in 1904. It is also known as the House of Bones, can be visited within the L’Eixample district of Barcelona.
- Palau Güell – Another project commissioned by Gaudí’s friend, Eusebi Güell. The Güell Palace was constructed between 1886 and 1888, and was used for living and socialite style entertaining.
- Casa Vicens – Constructed during Gaudí’s orientalist period, three facades were designed by Gaudí. This was one of Gaudí’s first major works.
Many of the above buildings by Gaudí now form part of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. A unique complement for an architect. The majority of Gaudí’s building projects can be visited, with some offering guided tours. The best way to understand the genius that is Antoni Gaudí is to visit his buildings and projects that are in various locations around Barcelona.
So, The Question Still Remains…
Who is Antoni Gaudí? A man so unique in his style, that you can walk around the world and never see anything remotely similar. His unique approach to architecture is not only beautiful, but fascinating also. A blend of many influences, such as nature and religion, shines through his projects. The Sagrada Família has become an icon of Barcelona, and so has Antoni Gaudí.
