Gaudi Works - Part One
Sagrada Familia
This is the unfinished masterpiece of Gaudi, the Expiatory Temple of the Holy Family. A unique architecture build, still under construction, that you have ever seen. The original idea was of a religious man, Josep Maria Bocabella, who was devote of Sant Joseph.
His idea was inspired in the church of Loreto, Italy. Bocabella was the founder of the Spiritual Association of Devotees of St. Joseph. This association acquired the plot and the first stone was placed during the festival of St. Joseph on March 19, 1882.
The architect assumed the responsibility of this colossal project in 1883, which was previously initiated by his former professor Francisco de Paula del Villar. The project is planned to be concluded in 2026. Gaudi often said that “My client is not in a hurry”.
Sagrada Familia became one of the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005 and constitutes a must see in any Barcelona Sightseeing plan. Find more details about the Sagrada Familia.
The Pope Benedict XVI visited La Sagrada Familia in November 7, 2010. During the Mass celebrated there, he consecrated the expiatory temple and was thus converted in a Basilica.
With over 2,3 million visitors per year, it is in the top ten Barcelona attractions and is one of the most important Places to Visit in Barcelona.
Book the Sagrada Familia tour here
La Pedrera (Casa Mila)
This is a beautiful modernist piece by Gaudi. The curious forms of this building will catch your attention. It is indeed a block of apartments. Perhaps the most beautiful of Barcelona City. It is made from limestones from Montjuic.
Pere Mila saw the results of the works in Casa Batllo and asked the architect to construct a building on his plot, which was located some blocks apart from Casa Batllo. The construction of Casa Mila was carried out from 1906 to 1910.
Some complications and problems arose during the construction. There were some parts and volume of the construction that exceeded the allowed limits, among others.
In order to avoid any further problems and discussions with the city government, Mr. Mila had an idea. It was agreed that the building had a great artistic value. The discrepancies were then accepted. Casa Mila became one of the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.
Casa Batllo
Gaudi projected the reform of this house, originally built for a middle-class family in 1875. The house was owned by Josep Batllo Casanovas in 1900, who commissioned the architect and a contractor to undertake the demolition of the building and the construction of a new one. But in 1904, Mr. Batllo changed his mind and decided to refurbish the existing building. He could not take a better decision.
It is really wonderful what the master did in this building! A little advise: if you are looking for straight line designs, you will be disappointed.
The main floor was the house of Batllo family and the other floors were flats for rent. It is very interesting to note, that the wavy facade is covered with circular ceramics of different colors and broken fragments of multi-colored glass.
The architect controlled the workers personally for the exact positioning of every piece of glass and ceramic!
Casa Batllo became one of the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005.
Book the Casa Batllo tour here
Palau Guell (Guell Palace)
The industrial Eusebi Guell wanted a new house in Barcelona and commissioned to Gaudi its construction in 1885. The building was finished in 1890. It is located in a narrow street named Nou de La Rambla, at just few meters from Las Ramblas. This is perhaps the only finished piece of the master, and was declared World Heritage Site by the UNESCO in 1984.
The “house” is indeed a mansion or little Palace. The two main iron gates featuring a parabolic arch, were the entrances for the horse drawn carriages. The horses were kept in the basement, which has a ventilation system.
The family Guell held diverse social events to meet and entertain the high society, such as concerts, parties and artistic meetings. After Eusebi Guell moved his residence to Park Guell, the Palau Guell remained as private residence until the Spanish Civil War in 1936, when was converted into barracks.
You can imagine what happened. It was left in a very poor state. The daughter of Guell, Merce Guell, decided then to donate the building to the state.
Visit Guell Palace and appreciate this wonderful art piece of the architect.
Parc Guell (Guell Park)
Guell Park is indeed an architectural garden located up in a hill, with a beautiful view of Barcelona from the heights. The place was originally conceived for a commercial housing site. Eusebi Guell wanted to construct a garden city, inspired in the English garden city movement. The site already included a big country house.
He divided the site in several plots, but he only sold three, mainly due to the restrictions that the buyer had regarding the construction and the environment preservation.
The master commenced the construction of the Guell Park in 1900, which was continued until 1914. He respected the environment and created a natural area by planting Mediterranean tree species. In 1906, Eusebi Guell decided to move his residence to the large house which already was in the park.
Only two houses were built, but not by Gaudi. As no buyers appeared for one of the houses, Gaudi bought it and moved there in 1906. When Eusebi Guell died, the Guell Park became municipal and was open to the public in 1922. It was declared World Heritage Site by the UNESCO in 1984.
Every piece of construction that you see, is a recreation for your eyes. The main stairs, the dragon, the Hypostyle Hall, the Greek theatre, the main terrace, the long bench...
New! Comments
Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.
Share this page: