Gaudi Barcelona

Gaudí and Barcelona, a long story.

Architect and designer, Antoni Gaudí was at the forefront of the Art Nouveau movement in Spain. His work in Barcelona led to the creation of some of the city's most notable landmarks. Gaudí was a pioneer in his field using color, texture, and movement in ways never before imagined. His works, both finished and uncompleted, stand as testimony to his genius. Check our page Gaudi Barcelona tours + Find in Barcelona Tours Top-rated guided tours with local experts & Best skip the line tickets.

>Today's tip: as soon as you know the dates of your stay, book your hotel in Barcelona online and get ready to discover the genius Antoni Gaudí.

The "Barcelona Pass" is a fantastic package that combines: priority access to the Sagrada Familia, Parc Güell, and a ticket for the official Barcelona city Hop-On Hop-Off tourist bus. Book it Now!

What is the most famous work of Antoni Gaudí?

Gaudí's most famous work is without a doubt the Sagrada Família. The basilica is not only the symbol of Barcelona but also the most visited monument in Spain. We explain the long history of 43 years between Gaudi and the construction of the church with the upcoming completion of the work.

> If you decide to visit this masterpiece, don't miss to visit Sagrada Família inside which we describe here the most beautiful elements.

What are the works of Gaudí to visit in Barcelona?

Besides the Sagrada Família, Antoni Gaudí left his mark on his city and his era with masterpieces so amazing that you should ideally visit them all. We know that this is not possible during a simple stay. Our favorite is one of Gaudi's houses: the Casa Milà (Pedrera) and the fabulous modernist garden of Barcelona: the Park Güell.

Video: some of Gaudí's buildings in Barcelona

Chronology and history of Antoni Gaudí's life (1852-1926)

1852

Antoni Gaudí i Cornet was born on 25 June 1852 in Reus or Riudoms in Catalonia. An uncertified birthplace, but a child surrounded from birth by a father and grandfather boilermakers who taught him essential notions for his future: making with his hands and having a sense of volumes. A child in delicate health who will spend very long periods observing nature: "the supreme work of the creator".

1870

It was at the age of 18 that he began his studies as an architect in Barcelona. Gifted for drawing, and exempt from military service because of his health, he collaborated during this period with many architects for whom he drew and thus paid for his studies. He developed a taste for history, economics, geometry, philosophy and aesthetics. He will be an average student but not an insignificant one. Its director will have this famous phrase at his graduation ceremony: "We awarded the diploma to a madman or a genius. Time will tell".

1883

Gaudí's career really began with the construction of Casa Vicens. Long closed to the public, this house can be visited since the end of 2017.

From this first project, the young architect found his way away from his first inspirations: Eugène Viollet-le-Duc and the neo-Gothic style to become part of the Art Nouveau movement which then took off all over Europe. In Catalonia, this style took the name of modernism. The Casa Vicens will concentrate of his first traits of genius and the flight of Modernism: shapes are still geometric on the outside but nature, Orient with its colors and mosaics are sources of inspiration on the inside.

 1884

Gaudi has long been associated with a wealthy industrialist, Eusebi Güell. A true friendship, mutual admiration, and a flamboyant era in the country's economy gave birth to some of the architect's most beautiful works: Finca Güell (1884-1887), the Güell Palace (1885-1889), the Crypt of the Colonia Güell (1898-1915) and finally the Park Güell (1900-1914).

 1888

The 1888 Barcelona World's Fair welcomed more than 400,000 visitors and Gaudí designed the pavilion of the Compagnie Transatlantique.

1900

At the turn of the century, he was a renowned architect, involved in many projects. In 1900, he received the prize for the best building of the year for the Casa Calvet (1898-1900). The Casa Bellesguard, the restoration of the Cathedral of Santa Maria de Palma de Majorca, and two of its most emblematic works, two houses: the Casa Batlló (1904-1906) and the Casa Milà (1905-1907), are the result of a decade of splendour that saw them emerge from the earth.

1915

He now devoted himself entirely to the work of his life, the Sagrada Familia or the "Cathedral of the Poor" (his popular name), for which he even went so far as to ask for alms so that he could continue the work. The work is due to end in 2026, again thanks to donations from visitors.

1926

On June 7, 1926, going to the church of Saint-Philippe Néri, Gaudi was overthrown by a tramway, which left him unconscious. Taken for a beggar, without papers and of neglected aspect with his old and worn clothes, he was not rescued immediately. When recognized it was already too late to save him. He died on June 10, 1926, at the age of seventy-three. He was buried on June 12, in the chapel of Our Lady of Carmel in the crypt of the Sagrada Família, in the presence of an immense crowd.

On his tombstone is the following inscription:

 « Antonius Gaudí Cornet. Reusensis. Annos natus LXXIV, vitæ exemplaris vir, mirabilis operis hujus, templi auctor, pie obiit Barcinone dit X Junii MCMXXVI, hinc cineres tantis hominis, resurrectionem mortuorum expectant. R.I.P. »

Translated as follows: “Antoni Gaudí Cornet. Originally from Reus. Born 74 years ago, an exemplary man, an exalted craftsman, and author of the admirable work of this temple, died in Barcelona on 10 June 1926, here the ashes of such a great man await the resurrection of the dead. R.I.P. »

Antoni Gaudí's main works

Cooperativa Obrera Mataronense 1878-1882  Mataró
El Capricho 1883-1885  Comillas
Casa Vicens 1883-1888  Barcelona
Gaudi Church Barcelona: Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Família 1883-1926
Pabellones Güell 1884-1887 Barcelona
Palacio Güell 1886-1890 Barcelona
Colegio de las Teresianas 1888-1889 Barcelona
Palacio Episcopal de Astorga 1889-1915 Astorga
Casa Botines 1891-1894 León
Bodegas Güell 1895-1897 Sitges
Casa Calvet 1898-1900 Barcelona
Torre Bellesguard 1900-1909 Barcelona
Park Güell 1900-1914 Barcelona
Portal Miralles 1901 Barcelona
Casa Batlló 1904-1906 Barcelona
Jardines de Can Artigas 1905-1906 La Pobla de Lillet
Casa Milà 1906-1910 Barcelona
Cripta de la Colonia Güell 1908-1915 Colonia Güell (Santa Coloma de Cervelló).

Gaudí's works listed as a World Heritage Site 

Seven of Gaudí's works have been declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO: Parc Güell (1984), Güell Palace (1984), Casa Milà (1984), Casa Vicens (2005), the Nativity façade and crypt of the Sagrada Família (2005), Casa Batlló (2005) and the crypt of the Colonie Güell (2005).

Gaudi in Barcelona - The most visited monuments: