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Home » Country » SPAIN » Who is Antoni Gaudí? He’s Reason Enough to Visit Barcelona and Beyond

Who is Antoni Gaudí? He’s Reason Enough to Visit Barcelona and Beyond

April 30th, 2017 | 28 Comments

Antoni Gaudí is a major figure in Barcelona’s city history and current architectural landscape. In fact, La Sagrada Familia can be seen towering above the city from many vantage points.

La Sagrada Familia
Before my first trip to Barcelona last December, the name Antoni Gaudí was recognizable to me, but I honestly didn’t know anything about him.

Who is Antoni Gaudí?

After my Barcelona visit, I have the most profound admiration for this man, and I am immeasurably impressed and awed, not only by his architectural masterpieces, but for the way he lived his life.

photo of Antoni Gaudí
photo by Pau Audouard

My friend Cathy (She Paused 4 Thought) advised me before I went, “Go see anything Gaudí.”  Now, I understand completely.

There’s so much to share, I honestly can’t do it all in one post, so I’ll give you a little background on Gaudí himself, then show you some photos of his work. If this intrigues you, I’ll leave links at the bottom for you to further research the architect and his creations in Barcelona and beyond.

Need a hotel recommendation in Barcelona Look no further.

Boutique Hotel Granvia Barcelona

Learn About Gaudí

I visited the Gaudí Exhibition Center which is right next to the Barcelona Cathedral, and would highly recommend it. This is a museum displaying documents, models and pieces of Gaudí’s tools and examples of his work, such as furniture and smaller scaled items. On another day, I learned more about his personal life by visiting The Gaudí House Museum, adjacent to Parc Güell. It would be difficult to choose which one I like more as I learned so much about the architect at both museums.

The Gaudi House Museum in Parc Guell
The Gaudi House Museum where Gaudi lived for many years.

 

The Gaudi Exhibition Center
The Gaudi Exhibition Center

Antoni Gaudí was born in 1852, never married, and was a very devout Roman Catholic, often incorporating chapels into his building designs.

Gaudi chapel

As a child, he was very ill and was bedridden for long periods of time. It is surmised that all this time he had spent staring out his window at nature was what inspired him to incorporate natural elements of flora and fauna into most of his works. He felt that God was in nature, and nature in God, so his use of these features in his architectural designs was a way of paying homage to God in his creations.

details of nature in Gaudi's work

This actually earned him the nickname of  “God’s Architect”. He even put his image on one of the sculptures in the passion facade on the exterior of La Sagrada Familia.

La Sagrada Familia (The Holy Family)

Gaudi's image on the Sagrada Familia
I put a red star above Gaudí’s sculpture using his own image.

I began my Gaudí experience with his unfinished magnum opus, La Sagrada Família church, which is actually a Roman Catholic minor basilica. It is visible from almost any high point in Barcelona. Stating that the exterior of the building is magnificent or stunning is a monumental understatement (no pun intended). La Sagrada Família’s exterior is difficult to describe because of the many different styles and facets of the architectural design, varying greatly from side to side. This was my first view of the church.

La Sagrada Familia still under construction

Just look at the difference in architectural styles between the back (above) and the front (below).

Front of La Sagrada Familia

The detail in every single part of all of Gaudí’s masterpieces is just incredible. It’s no wonder that La Sagrada Familia has been under construction since 1882 and is scheduled to be completed in 2026, 100 years after the death of Antoni Gaudí. Apparently, Gaudí was quoted as saying, “My client is not in a hurry.” (referring to God).

Detail of the nativity facade on La Sagrada Familia

As impressive as the exterior is, I wasn’t prepared for the interior. I actually caught my breath when I walked inside.

nterior of La Sagrada Familia

Interior of La Sagrada Familia

Interior of La Sagrada Familia

As you can only imagine, if you haven’t been there in person, I was in awe. I took so many pictures, but none of them captured the brilliance of the building and the genius of the designer, Antoni Gaudí.

Ceiling of the Sagrada Familia
The ceiling, meant to portray the canopy of a forest (the columns are the trees).
Interior of La Sagrada Familia
The color is from the stained glass.

I took so many more photos, I could fill a book, but suffice it to say that, in my opinion, it’s worth going to Barcelona, solely to see La Sagrada Familía. The thing is, you’ll be so captivated by Gaudí’s work in seeing this monumental masterpiece, you simply won’t be able to stay away from his other works.

Don’t miss the museum below the church as it’s filled with many interesting artifacts, photos and displays.

La Sagrada Familia Museum

Parc Güell

Originally, this park was meant to be a sort of subdivision of upscale homes, but it never materialized. Gaudí lived in the “model home” (which is now the Gaudí House Museum adjacent to Parc Güell) with his father and niece, until they both died and he was left alone. It’s filled with quirky designs and lots of elements that are found in nature. You can see that Gaudí wasn’t a fan of straight lines!

Parc Guell, Barcelona

Parc Guell, Barcelona

Parc Guell, Barcelona

Casa Battló

A renovated building, and purchased by the Battló family. Casa Battló is an outstanding example of Gaudí’s simply innovative and unique talents in design and architecture. The roof is made to resemble the back of a dragon! How much more unique could a building be? It was also referred to as the “skeleton house”. If you look at the photo below, the structures in the front look similar to bones.

Casa Battló, Barcelona

Casa Battló, Barcelona

view from the top of Casa Battló, Barcelona
View from the top of Casa Battló, Barcelona

The interior of the house is, again, unbelievably detailed and just as unique as the exterior of the construction.

Casa Battlo, Barcelona

Casa Battlo, Barcelona
Look at the design of this ceiling.

Casa Battlo, Barcelona


These are just three of the almost dozen buildings in the city of Barcelona which were designed by Antoni Gaudí. There are more outside of the city.  Casa Milá (La Pedrera) is nearby Casa Battló, but I didn’t see the interior.

Casa Milá

As you can see, once you begin seeing more and more of Gaudí’s work, it becomes easy to recognize.

For all the information regarding visiting Gaudí’s masterpieces in Barcelona and beyond go to

VISITBARCELONA.COM

The Gaudi Exhibition Center

The Gaudi House Museum

This is just a taste of all that Barcelona has to offer. I visited for the first time this past December (2016), and am already returning this June thanks to Scott’s Cheap Flights. I managed to book a nonstop flight from LA to Barcelona (round trip) for only $299!

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Paella, La Sagrada Familia, and La Boqueria market in Barcelona.

 

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Country, SPAIN · Antoni Gaudi, Barcelona, Casa Battlo, Catalonia, europe, Gaudi, Gaudi Experience, Gaudi House Museum, La Sagrada Familia, Parc Guell, Park Guell, Spain, Travel, traveling, Visit Barcelona

Reader Interactions

28 Responses

  1. Goodbye to 2016, Resolution Ideas and Trying Something New in the New Year. - Christina's Cucina says:
    June 23, 2020 at 11:27 pm

    […] December~ I took an unexpected trip to Barcelona, Spain because my husband was working there! What a fabulous city! […]

    Reply
  2. Authentic Spanish Patatas Bravas Recipe for tapas in your own kitchen says:
    April 16, 2018 at 12:47 pm

    […] La Sagrada Familia together.  I want to make sure they don’t miss it (more to come on this incredible cathedral which is pictured […]

    Reply
  3. 5 Reasons You Will Fall in Love with Hotel Granvia Barcelona - Christina's Cucina says:
    October 22, 2017 at 12:22 am

    […] Yet another of Gaudí’s masterpieces. […]

    Reply
  4. Agness of Fit Travelling says:
    June 16, 2017 at 5:59 am

    Gaudi did amazing work! I really hope I can see all of its work because it is spectacular, Christina!

    Reply
    • Christina says:
      June 17, 2017 at 8:24 pm

      Absolutely, Agness! I hope you can, too!

      Reply
  5. Peggy Woods says:
    May 24, 2017 at 10:35 am

    My husband and I got to visit the Sagrada Familia and Guell Park and also saw the outside of some other buildings designed by Gaudi during the Summer Olympics many years ago. They are all so amazing! Enjoyed your post and your wonderful photos.

    Reply
    • Christina says:
      May 26, 2017 at 10:53 am

      That’s wonderful! Thank you so much, Peggy! :)

      Reply
  6. David says:
    May 6, 2017 at 7:42 am

    Just love this post, Christina! I dream of entering the Sagrada Familia one day. I crave that moment when i will look up and the feeling of faith will be palpable.

    Reply
    • Christina says:
      May 6, 2017 at 1:45 pm

      I do hope you are able to visit one day, David. It’s definitely something you can never forget.

      Reply
  7. Jenna says:
    May 4, 2017 at 10:27 pm

    I love seeing this information on your site. His work is so amazing and is one of the main things that make Barcelona such a unique and beautiful city. I had no idea that he was so ill as a child.

    Reply
    • Christina says:
      May 6, 2017 at 1:39 pm

      Thanks, Jenna! I’m really smitten with everything “Gaudi” now!

      Reply
  8. Jessica says:
    May 2, 2017 at 5:44 pm

    Barcelona is such a unique city, big part of it comes from the contributions of Gaudi. His structures are amazing.

    Reply
« Older Comments

Trackbacks

  1. Goodbye to 2016, Resolution Ideas and Trying Something New in the New Year. - Christina's Cucina says:
    June 23, 2020 at 11:27 pm

    […] December~ I took an unexpected trip to Barcelona, Spain because my husband was working there! What a fabulous city! […]

    Reply
  2. Authentic Spanish Patatas Bravas Recipe for tapas in your own kitchen says:
    April 16, 2018 at 12:47 pm

    […] La Sagrada Familia together.  I want to make sure they don’t miss it (more to come on this incredible cathedral which is pictured […]

    Reply
  3. 5 Reasons You Will Fall in Love with Hotel Granvia Barcelona - Christina's Cucina says:
    October 22, 2017 at 12:22 am

    […] Yet another of Gaudí’s masterpieces. […]

    Reply

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Meet Christina

A Scottish Italian cook living in Los Angeles, Christina is usually cooking, baking or (cr)eating something scrumptious. When she isn't in the kitchen, she loves to travel, near and far, as long as good food is involved. Christina is on a mission to save authentic Italian dishes from extinction, and is constantly promoting Scottish (and British) food as some of the best cuisine the world has to offer—one steak pie and sticky toffee pudding at a time.



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