“Artists do not need monuments erected for them, because their works are their monuments.” – Antoni Gaudí
This is exactly what the brilliant architectural works of Gaudí are – monuments. The monuments of Barcelona’s most famous and admired architect, the mastermind behind some of the most breathtaking buildings in Spain, showcase a unique and eclectic style representing Barcelona’s rich urban history and creative culture.
Seven masterpieces of Gaudí have been recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, due to the extraordinary uniqueness of his works and his contribution to Modern architecture. Without a doubt, Gaudí revolutionized Barcelona with his extravagant and distinctive designs that make each and every one of his architectural gems a remarkable piece of work.
Buckle up, as we are about to take off for a marvellous journey through Barcelona and explore the wonderful and iconic works of art designed and constructed by Antoni Gaudí, one of the most respectable Catalan architects.
1. La Sagrada Familia
This huge Basílica is located in the heart of Barcelona and it represents the most famous of all Gaudí’s works. Through its astonishing architecture and façade sculptures, it depicts the relationship between man, nature and religion, in which Gaudí found the inspiration for all of his magnificent works.
The Roman Catholic wonder is a vision to behold, exemplifying the combination of Gothic, Art Nouveau and Modernism styles to illustrate the creativity of human nature. The tallest religious building in the world is the result of Gaudí being deeply influenced by Spanish Late Gothic architecture and Modernism.
The Basílica has three distinct façades, each representing the different aspects of the life of Jesus Christ: the Nativity façade to the east, the Passion façade to the west and the Glory façade to the south, which is yet to be completed. Upon entering the church, you can witness the tall columns representing trees and branches, the Gothic-style apse and the magnificent play of natural light through the stained glass windows.
The Catalan architect did not live to see his famous masterpiece completed. La Sagrada Familia has been under construction since 1882 and it is estimated to be completed in 2026, on the centenary of Gaudí’s death. Although incomplete, the church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This awe-inspiring architectural gem is truly a work to be marvelled at and it has become one of the universal signs of Barcelona’s identity.
Address: 401 Carrer de Mallorca
2. Park Güell
Park Güell is a wonderful park located on the Carmen Hill in the upper part of the Gràcia district of Barcelona. Built between 1900 and 1914, this magical park features beautiful gardens, dynamically designed buildings, sculptures and mosaics that perfectly blend in with the natural surroundings.
The construction of the park originally started as a part of a residential estate development for the industrialist Eusebi Güell, but after the failure of the original plan, it became a park open to the public. It is another one of Gaudí’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites, where Gaudí’s old home can be found, now open to the public as a small museum, the Gaudí House Museum.
The garden complex of the Park Güell is covered in the trencadis pattern, which is a symbol of the Art Nouveau Movement and of Gaudí’s work. The most famous features of the park are the colonnaded hall and the terrace with serpentine shapes, as well as the very entrance, where the two small buildings can make you feel as if you have entered the magical world of a fairy tale.
This amazing park offers an incredible view of the city and taking a stroll through its multicolor mosaics in the company of its iconic sculptures is, without a question, an unforgettable cartoonish adventure that is definitely a must when in Barcelona.
Address: 12 Carrer d’Olot
3. Palau Güell
Built between 1886 and 1888, the Palau Güell yet another Gaudí UNESCO World Heritage Site and it represents one of his first works. The palace was Eusebi Güell’s residence for about two decades, before this great admirer of Gaudí moved to a house in Park Güell.
When you take a look at the exterior of the palace, you can see that the sober façade doesn’t quite resemble other works by Gaudí, but the interior and the roof make up for the elements characteristic for the architect’s work.
Upon entering the lounge, you can witness the ceiling perforated by circles that make the room look like a planetarium. The central living room has a parabolic dome and the roof has chimneys and conical vents that resemble fir trees. The spacious rooms and painted wall decorations are absolutely fascinating and show Gaudí’s unquestionable mastery in design.
Address: 3-5 Carrer Nou de la Rambla
4. The Church of Colònia Güell
The Church of Colònia Güell is actually a crypt and it is one of the most important works by Gaudí, because this is where he brought together all of his architectural innovations for the first time. This church was actually an inspiration for the Sagrada Familia. As Gaudí himself said, had the church been finished, it would have been a “monumental model of the Sagrada Familia”.
The construction of the Church of Colònia Güell started in 1898 and it remains unfinished to this day. It was built in basaltic stone bricks with mosaics, giving the crypt an archaic appearance.
The church is located in the province of Barcelona called Santa Coloma de Cervelló and it is only about 20 minutes away from the centre of the city.
Address: Calle de Claudio Güell, 08690 Colònia Güell, Santa Coloma de Cervelló
5. Finca Güell
Built between 1884 and 1887, the Finca Güell or the so-called Pavellons Güell, or Güell Pavilions, is a complex of two buildings in the neighbourhood of Pedralbes in Barcelona. It was Gaudí’s first work for his wealthy patron Eusebi Güell and it stands out for its colourful tiles and molten iron structures.
However, the Güell Pavilions complex doesn’t merely stand out because of the design of the buildings, but because of its iron gate entrance. The remarkable gate features a big iron dragon, which looks like the guardian of the entrance.
Address: 7 Av. de Pedralbes
6. Casa Batlló
Casa Batlló is a renowned building located in the centre of Barcelona and it is yet another one of Gaudí’s architectural wonders recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. However, the building itself was not built by Gaudí. In fact, he was hired by the textile industrialist Josep Batlló in 1904 to renovate and redesign his old conventional residence. When Gaudí completed the project in 1906, the result was one of the most famous and unique buildings in Barcelona and one of Gaudí’s most spectacular works.
Because of the unique façade, designed with the use of the constructive elements typical for the Catalan Art Nouveau, that is, ceramics, stone and forged iron, the Casa Batlló is also known as the “house of bones”. The colourful balconies, oval windows and the ceramic roof and terrace make this modernist building stand out even more.
The interior of the Casa Batlló takes you to an entirely new dimension. The combination of the flawless decorations, the mosaics, the tiles and the amazing staircase makes you feel like you have entered a dream world.
The Casa Batlló is a benchmark of Modernism and one of the crowning works of Gaudí. It is so much more than just a building and it truly shows the extraordinary and inspiring imagination of Gaudí.
Address: 43 Passeig de Gràcia
7. Casa Calvet
Casa Calvet was built between 1898 and 1900 for Pere Martir Calvet, a textile manufacturer. This building is definitely the most conventional work by Gaudí and it stands out from all of his other architectural gems.
Nevertheless, Gaudí’s personal touch can be evident on the exterior of the building; curved stone façade and wrought iron balconies scream his name, as well as the two pediments on the roof, each supporting a wrought iron cross, surrounded by ornamentation of numerous stone pieces. The roof also features the statues of San Genis and Saint Peter, the Calvet family saints.
The interior of the Casa Calvet also shows some elements and decorations through which the mastermind’s mark can be discerned. Although not as famous as Gaudí’s other works, this building is definitely worth a visit.
Address: 48 Carrer de Casp
8. Casa Milà
Casa Milà is one of the best examples of Gaudí’s imagination and creativity. Built between 1906 and 1912, Casa Milà looks more like a sculpture than a building. It is commonly known as “La Pedrera”, the Catalan for stone quarry.
This unusual building has a stone façade and forged iron balconies that add to its peculiarity, although the most extraordinary elements of the Casa Milà are perhaps the chimneys and rooftop sculptures.
In 1984, it was declared as the UNESCO World Heritage Site and, today, it represents the headquarters of the Catalunya-La Pedrera Foundation, which organizes a variety of exhibitions and public activities in the building.
Address: 261-265 Provença
9. Casa Vicens
Casa Vicens is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it was Gaudí’s first major work. Built between 1883 and 1888, this suburban residence is one of the architect’s most important works and it is located in the Gràcia district of Barcelona.
The trencadis façade includes a variety of ceramic pieces that decorate the exterior in colourful and irregular unison. The interior is rich with painted wall decorations, as well as ornaments and tiles that perfectly showcase the mastery in design.
Apart from the beautiful ceramic decoration, Gaudí used plaster applications, earth bricks, multicoloured Arabian elements, wrought iron and wood to decorate both the interior and the exterior of the building.
Casa Vicens is a modernist building that is absolutely worth visiting, as you can witness the historical beginnings of the architectural mastermind behind some of the world’s most important and fascinating architectural wonders.
Address: 18-24 Carrer de les Carolines
10. Torre de Bellesguard
Torre de Bellesguard, also known as Casa Figueres, is a modernist manor house built between 1900 and 1909 and it is located at the Sarrià-Sant Gervasi district of Barcelona in Catalonia. It is one of the lesser-known works of Gaudí, but not less important than all of his other amazing gems.
Gaudí’s inspiration for this magnificent building was the medieval castle of Martin I, the last king of the Catalan dynasty of the House of Barcelona. The king actually resided at the Torre de Bellesguard until his death in 1410. The rich history of Bellesguard was a deep inspiration that influenced Gaudí to create one of his most fantastic and symbolic works.
This castle is an exceptional blend of Gothic and Art Nouveau styles and it is definitely Gaudí’s most personal work.
Address: 16 Carrer de Bellesguard
“The architect is the synthetic man, who is able to see things together before they are made.” – Antoni Gaudí
That is exactly what this extraordinary architect was – the synthetic mastermind who was able to see each and every one of his outstanding works in their final form before he even began constructing them. His creativity spoke to him and he delivered. His works represent an exceptional contribution to the heritage of contemporary architecture in Barcelona, and across the world as well, and will most certainly continue to be a source of inspiration for the new generations of architects for many years to come.