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Antoni Gaudí

World famous Catalan architect (1852-1926)


Antoni Gaudí helped the Catalan architecture to worldwide fame and reputation. Gaudí was also an architect and designer with a special ability to synthesise their own tradition and the courage to new technical solutions. He understood to integrate creative and plastic elements in his buildings.

Antoni Gaudí was born in 1852 in the Catalan town of Reus as the son of a craftsmen. In Barcelona, he studied architecture; he concluded his studies in 1878. During this time Catalonia experienced a period of cultural and political rebirth, the Renaixença, at a time of economic and urban growth. A big bourgeoisie patronage wanted not to mix with European currents.

In the footsteps of Gaudí

With our Modernisme and Gaudí tours, we show you the most important works of the brilliant architect.

The 1888 World's Fair awarded the generation of the modernisme the main impulses. Gaudí overcame the prevailing historical styles of the eclecticism of the 19th century and developed his own aesthetic with its own distinctive, but difficult to classify style.

Gaudí creation is closely linked to his patron, the industrialist and financier Güell. He has not only a considerable number of orders, but he stocked it with a high prestige.
Even at a young age Gaudí was instructed with the construction of the Sagrada Familia, he later devoted exclusively his power to the church.

Gaudí is also a great craftsperson. In collaboration with artists of his time, he designed all the architectural space filled elements: works from forged iron, furniture, ceramics, sculptures, mosaics and stained glass windows. His forms were always organic, curved and into the building.

Gaudí had not only followers in life, his daring forms cried out protest from his critics. Over the years they calmed and today you witness his due recognition.

Antoni Gaudí died in 1926 after a traffic accident.

In 1984, several of his works where on the list of world cultural heritage of UNESCO: the crypt and Facade of Birth of the Sagrada Familia, Casa Vicens, Casa Milà, Casa Batlló and the crypt of the Colonia Güell.

Gaudí's works in Barcelona

The Sagrada Familia basilica

The Sagrada Familia basilica

The Sagrada Familia church is the most famous landmark Barcelona by Antoni Gaudí. Since 1883 Gaudí worked at the church. Towards the end of his life, he dedicated himself only to the Sagrada Familia.

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Park Güell

Park Güell

This park is a work of art, created by Antoni Gaudí from 1900-1914. There should be 60 houses in the park to be built, the people should live and work.

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Casa Batlló

Casa Batlló

Like a Dragon back looks the Casa Battló, which Gaudí built between 1904 and 1906.

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Casa Milà (La Pedrera)

Casa Milà (La Pedrera)

Whoever comes to see this structure is going to be absolutely fascinated. A house without the right angle attached, the shapes are organic. Gaudí built the Casa Milà from 1906-1910.

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Palau Güell

Palau Güell

One of the masterpieces of the younger Antoni Gaudí near the Ramblas. Gaudí worked here from 1886-1888.

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Torre de Bellesguard

Torre de Bellesguard

The Torre de Bellesguard is one of Gaudi's works that is awarded only little importance. For sure without good reason, since you can see several elements in the Bellesguard, that he perfected in his later works. Bellesguard was Gaudi's only work for which he had to search for a building contractor. With this building, Gaudi executed a tribute to the middle age and interpreted the gothic in his own way.

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Casa Vicens

Casa Vicens

The Casa Vicens is the first building by the young architect Antoni Gaudí: the building was previously a relatively unknown work by the Catalan architect.

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Colònia Güell - Crypt Gaudí

Colònia Güell - Crypt Gaudí

With the Crypt Gaudí in the Colona Güell, Gaudí created his template for the Sagrada Familia. You should make the not long journey to Sants Vicenç dels Horts if you're interested in the works of Gaudí.

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Casa Calvet

Casa Calvet

The house is Gaudí's most unspectacular building. However, in 1900 it won the Barcelona City Council award for the house completed that year.

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Not listed works of Gaudí