Antoni Gaudí was born in Rues, Spain in 1852, unbeknownst to anyone that he would become such an influential figure. He grew up with a deep love of nature that is displayed in many of his current works today. Gaudí was a pioneer for colour, texture, movement and trencadis (using otherwise wasted ceramic materials), bringing him to the forefront of the Art Nouveau era in Spain. His magnificent works gave him the nonminer of ‘God’s Architect’, yet sadly he was fatally run over by a tram in 1926. Much of his work has been designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites so here are eight Gaudí masterpieces to visit in Barcelona.
1. Casa Milá
As you stroll along Passeig de Gràcia, it’s hard to miss the large, grey building that sits at a busy intersection. Casa Milá was the last private residence that Gaudí designed, nicknamed La Pedrera or the Stone Quarry. What makes this house particularly impressive is how difficult it would have been to create its exterior given it’s just one mass of undulating stone.
2. Casa Batlló
You’ll fall in love with Casa Batlló as soon as you see it. Its colourful, textural exterior with striking balconies and windows is jaw-droppingly beautiful. The combination of ceramics, stone and forged iron is a true representation of the Catalan Art Nouveau style. Showcasing his love of nature, Gaudí has also added various animal shapes, vine-like curves, hints of bones and a dragon-esque roof. Casa Batlló is now a museum, so we recommend booking tickets in advance if you want to visit.
3. Cascada Fountain
While not entirely his work, the Cascada Fountain was one of the first pieces in Barcelona that Gaudí worked on. He was an assistant to Josep Fontseré, both inspired by the Trevi Fountain in Rome. This majestic fountain was designed for the 1888 Barcelona Universal Exposition and is found in the Parc de la Ciutadella.
4. Casa Vicens
With its striking checkered facade, Casa Vicens was the very first house that Gaudí created. He drew inspiration from Moorish designs to build this unique summer home for Manuel Vicens i Montaner – a ceramic factory owner. Casa Vicens was restored between 2014 – 2017 and is now a museum.
5. Parc Güell
The original plan for Parc Güell was to be a modern housing estate for the Barcelona elite. Gaudí collaborated with Eusebi Güell to put his own spin on a British garden city. There are several parts to the park, including amazing mosaic work on the main terrace with views across the city. You’ll also find Gaudí’s own home here, where he lived with his family for several years before his death.
6. Casa Calvet
Possibly one of Gaudí’s most conservative pieces of work, Casa Calvet was built for a family of textile workers. Compared to other Gaudí designed homes, Casa Calvet has a rather ‘normal’ stone facade with iron-wrought balconies. Nowadays, the ground floor is a Chinese restaurant where you can dine on delicious tasting menus.
7. Cripta de la Colònia Güell
Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005, the Cripta de la Colònia Güell is an unfinished Gaudí piece of work. It was another collaboration with Eusebi de Güell to create a place of worship in Santa Coloma de Vervelló. It gives an air of peace and tranquility as you walk beneath its leaning pillars and catenary arches.
8. Basilica de la Sagrada Familia
Finally, what Gaudí is most famous for – Basilica de la Sagrada Familia. Not your typical Roman Catholic cathedral, Gaudí’s vision was to bring nature, light and religion together under one roof utilising Gothic and Art Nouveau inspiration. Construction was begun in 1892 and is still ongoing! It is expected to finish in 2026 to coincide with the centenary of Gaudí’s death and will be the world’s tallest cathedral once competed.
Gaudí and Barcelona go hand in hand. If you’re an architecture aficionado, or simply love diving into a new destination’s architecture, Barcelona is the city for you. Visit this incredible city on a Globus or Cosmos tour.
