Barcelona
and the work of Antoni Gaudí
Barcelona
is unique, and quite unlike its stuffier sister, Madrid. The city is known
for the work of the genius architect, Antoni Gaudí, whose work can
be viewed throughout the city.
Casa Battló
The L’Eixample
area of Barcelona is one place where Gaudí’s work stands tall, including
Casa Battló,
a unique modernist building he designed for the textile magnate, Josep
Batlló. The intricate tile work on the façade and chimneys
is simply exquisite.
Casa Milà
Another
is Casa Milà (La Pedrera), a short walk away. Here Pere Milà
commissioned Gaudí in the late 19th century to create a residential
building which would be leased as a number of separate apartments. Nicknamed
La Pedrera (the stone quarry) for its fascinating, curving façade,
Casa Milà has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Parque
Güell
At one
stage, Gaudí designed what was originally meant to be a residential
area but ended up being an exquisite, unique public park. Parque Güell
(or Güell Park) is known for its fairy tale buildings, including the
two “Gingerbread” houses which stand at the entrance. Heading into the
park, visitors then come across “el drac,” (the dragon) a statue standing
on the steps.
Also of
interest in the park is a home where Gaudí lived from 1906 to 1925,
which is now the Gaudí House Museum. The house was designed by his
good friend and architect Francesc d’Assis Berenguer i Mestres and the
furnishings, which remain, were designed by Gaudí.
The
park offers fabulous views across the city all the way to the ocean and
the surrounding mountains and one area is perfect for taking in the views.
An open seating area, decorated with tiny pieces of colorful tiles is great
for relaxing after a strenuous walk around the park before heading back
to your room at one of the best hotels in Barcelona.
Sagrada
Familia
Parque
Güell also offers a stunning view of yet another of Gaudí’s
ingenuous works of art, the “Basílica
i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família” or for short, Sagrada
Familia or in English, the Temple of the Sacred Family. The building was
started by architects Martorell and De Villa in 1882, with Gaudí
taking over the work in 1891 and adding his unique genius to the design.
Regrettably, Gaudí passed away in 1926 before the work could be
completed
Photo
Temple de la Sagrada Familia, Barcelona
The
Sagrada Familia has come a long way since I first visited in 2005, but
the building is still unfinished. While building is not yet complete, the
site was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was consecrated by Pope
Benedict XVI in 2010. Throughout
the unique city of Barcelona, many other examples of Gaudí’s work
can be viewed, drawing people back to the city, over and over again.
.
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