A visit to Barcelona isn’t complete without a look at the famed Gaudi buldings in the city. Barcelona and Gaudi are words that are inexplicalby intertwined. Gaudí is the most famous architect in the Catalan region of Spain with Barcelona showcasing most of Gaudi’s buildings.
Antoni Gaudí was a Spanish architect known as the greatest architect of Catalan Modernism, which is a movement that is characterized by the revival of the Catalan art, literature and culture in the early 20th century. Modernism in terms of architecture focuses more on curves over the straight lines, asymmetry over symmetry, rich decorations and detail, and the use of natural and organic motifs in buildings. Gaudi’s buildings are unique in that they showcase all these elements that had never been applied to architecture before his time. Today, Gaudí is the best known architect of the Catalan Modernism movement and his buildings are known worldwide.
Gaudí’s works have a highly individualized, one-of-a-kind style and most of his architecture can be seen in Barcelona. His main works which include the church of the Sagrada Família, Casa Batlló and Park Güell are some of the most unique style of architecture to be seen today.
I can honestly say I have never seen architecture this unique and different before, anywhere in the world. Gaudi’s buildings are some of the most avant-garde structures I have ever seen. Personally I found Gaudi’s work to be futuristic, almost Dr. Seuss-like, and Disneylandish, with a beauty that is imaginative.
Sagrada Familia
Sagrada Familia known as the Basilica of the Holy Family is one of Gaudi’s crowning jewels. A beautiful cathedral unlike any other. When one sees the churches throughout the region a theme that runs through them all is ornate interiors with opulent gold and gemstone carvings. Sagrada Familia in contrast is an ode to nature as God as interpreted by Gaudi. Here the pillars are designed to represent trees, with columns made of clay and the altar as pure and simple as possible. A beautiful cathedral with a calming feel, Sagrada Familia is Gaudi’s most praised architectural feat.
Park Güell
An almost Disneyland style park designed by Gaudi with mosaic glass tileworks and caves was a very interesting park to visit.
Casa Milà
Gaudi’s Casa Mila is an apartment complex Gaudi designed with a Modernism take on architecture. This complex was truly “out of the box thinking” from an architecture perspective. In my opinion it felt almost like being in a Sci-Fi movie set.
As an architect Gaudi didn’t rely much on blueprints or design drawings but rather preferred 3-D models made of clay to depict his building plans.
A look at the interior of Casa Mila Apartments.
Casa Mila is most definitely a very unique and artistic apartment complex.
Gaudi and Barcelona are so intertwined that it’s hard to see Barcelona without a visit to Gaudi’s famed architectural buildings. A one of a kind style of architecture that even today architects from all over the world come to study.