city: Barcelona
district: Gaudì's Barcelona

The Casa Batlló in Barcelona can be seen as an expression of Gaudí’s national feeling: the building is said to present the legend of Sant Jordi (Holy George), the patron saint of Catalunya, and his killing of a dragon. The roof of Casa Batlló presents the back of the dragon, and the balconies, formed like masks, the sculls of his victims. The colourful facade is also an example of Gaudí’s sense for colours.

city: Barcelona
district: Gaudì's Barcelona

La Pedrera – the quarry – is the nickname of Gaudí’s Casa Milà. This apartment house was Gaudí’s final construction in Barcelona before he dedicated his life to Sagrada Familia. It was finished in 1910 and shows impressively Gaudí’s genius imagination and creativity. Especially the rooftop and the facade of the wave-like building are worth examining. In 1996 La Pedrera was completely restored and now inhabits a museum, an exhibition centre of the Fundació Caixa de Catalunya, a furnished exhibition flat and private accommodation.

city: Barcelona
district: Gaudì's Barcelona

The rich duke Eusebi Güell was a strong admirer of the young architect Gaudí. In 1895 Güell bought a territory overlooking Barcelona and planned to build an English garden city with more than 60 mansions there. Gaudí was to design the public areas and the basic structure; other architects were to design the houses. Güell’s plan remained a vision and only three of the 60 houses were built. Instead, the city of Barcelona bought the area and declared it a park in 1923. The park is very magical, with winding small paths and platforms overlooking Barcelona. In its centre the famous benches designed by Gaudí invite to rest and enjoy the beautiful view of Barcelona. Gaudí himself lived for several years in one of the two houses built at the entrance of the park (not designed by Gaudí), which now is the Casa-Museu Gaudí.

city: Barcelona
district: Gaudì's Barcelona

address: Plaza Sagrada Familia

The Sagrada Familia is probably Barcelona’s most famous and most controversial work of Gaudí. The ambitious young architect started building the church when he was only 31, during the last years of his life he even slept in the crypt. In his vision the Sagrada Familia should become a memorial of remorse for modern materialism in Barcelona: 18 majestic towers shall be crowned by another one in the centre with a total height of 170 metres. If ever concluded, this would be the highest building in Barcelona. Gaudí knew that his vision was too gigantic to conclude it during his lifetime. Until his death in Barcelona in 1926 (he was killed by a tram in front of Sagrada Familia), he finished the crypt, one of the towers and most of the Christmas facade. Since then several architects and sculptors have contributed to the fulfilment of Gaudí’s vision. Constantly under controversial discussion Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia shall be finished 2030 – if there is enough financial support.