Barcelona is a city of incomparable architectural delights, one of the capitals of Art Nouveau. The works of Antoni Gaudi occupy a central place in the urban space. Millions of tourists travel to Barcelona to see these architectural masterpieces.

In total, there are thirteen objects built by Gaudí in Barcelona.

Sagrada Familia

One of Gaudi's most famous works in Barcelona is La Sagrada Familia or the Temple of the Sagrada Familia. This is a huge temple that has been under construction for more than 130 years. The construction of the basilica began back in 1882, and is expected to be completed only by 2050. This is not only the most famous, but also the most visited tourist attraction in Barcelona. You can find the Sagrada Familia at Mallorca, 401. To get there you need to take the lilac L2 or blue L5 metro line to the Sagrada Familia station or bus routes 19, 33, 34, 43, 44, 50 and 51.

There are always huge queues of tourists at the Sagrada. Therefore, we recommend purchasing a ticket to the cathedral in advance. You can do this using this link.

Casa Batllo

Casa Batllo is one of the most unusual houses in Barcelona. The house looks like it was built from skulls and bones. It is felt that when designing this house, Gaudi was inspired by the depths of the sea. The facade of the building has a delicate coral color.

Sir Antonio paid great attention to detail. One has only to pay attention to the windows of the Casa Batllo: their size depends on the height at which they are located. In this way, the issue of uniform lighting of the rooms was resolved.

Tourists can see Casa Batllo at Passeigde Gràcia, 43, which can be reached by taking the L3 green metro line to Passeigde Gràcia station. It's worth paying attention to the exit from the metro! It should be Calle Aragó - Rambla Catalunya – and then it will take literally 30 seconds to walk to Casa Batllo.

Tickets to Casa Batllo can also be purchased in advance.

Park Guell

You should definitely visit the aristocratic park of Barcelona, ​​built by Gaudi commissioned by Eusebi Güell. Park Güell is home to unique stone structures, amazing mosaics and magnificent buildings. At the entrance to the park, tourists are greeted by a dragon fountain decorated with mosaics.

It is in this park that one can feel how strongly the natural origins influenced the architecture of Antoni Gaudi. There are huge stone columns that grow out of the ground like strange tree trunks.

At the top of the park there is a terrace from which everyone can enjoy a magnificent view not only of the park, but of the whole of Barcelona.

Casa Vicens

Not many tourists know about the existence of Casa Vicens - one of Gaudí's earliest works. This family residence was designed and built by industrialist Manuel Vicens in 1878 - 1889. The building's style mixes Spanish-Arabic with oriental and adds Gaudí's signature natural influence.

Bright colors and special attention to detail will not leave any architecture lover indifferent.

Address: Carrer de les Carolines, 18-24 Nearest metro station: Fontana, green line L3

You can also get acquainted with the main creations of Gaudi during one sightseeing tour or have fun with the help of modern technologies in 4D space.

If you are traveling to Barcelona with young travelers, they will probably enjoy the excursion.

Sights of Antonio Gaudi and his biography

Looking at the masterpieces of Barcelona architecture created by Antoni Gaudi, it is difficult to imagine that behind their beautiful splendor, the variety of bright facades, as well as the unimaginability of various forms, lies a hidden, almost unsociable, lonely human nature.

The architectural style in which Gaudi worked is usually classified as Art Nouveau. Although, in fact, his creations are so unique that it is quite difficult to classify them. Gaudi used completely different architectural elements and completely reworked them, introducing his own.

Before plunging into the history of this unique architect, let's get acquainted with his main creations in Barcelona.

Built in 1883-1885 for the Manuel Vicens family, this landmark is the first major commission for Antoni Gaudí. The site is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Today, it is a private house and its interior is closed to tourists.

School at the Convent of St. Teresa

For those who are already at least a little familiar with the works of Gaudí, this object, built in 1888-1894, may seem rather unusual and unusual for the hand of our master. The suspicions are quite justified. Gaudi headed the construction of this facility at the very last moment and was forced to work on someone else’s project. Gaudi had to coordinate all changes and his personal plans with the customer, who was the founder of the monastic order of St. Teresa of Avila, Father Enrique de Ossi. He demanded restraint and rigor, and in addition, funding was severely limited.

Looking at this creation, you can notice many straight lines and angles that Gaudi did not like so much. Can we say that this time the freedom-loving architect “bent in” to the demands? Well, if only a little. He nevertheless introduced many unconventional details for a religious object, although the School at the Monastery of St. Teresa can be called a unique exception for Gaudi’s work.

Erected in 1885-1890, by order of Eusebi Güell, who was not just an employer, but also a fairly close person to Gaudí. The most famous fruit of their union would later become the famous Park Güell. Palace Güell, like the previous creations described above, belong to the early works of Gaudí.

The Calvet House (Casa Calvet) is a traditional embodiment of the views and ideas of A. Gaudi and is not famous for any special features. However, the construction of this facility became a very important event for the architect personally. For the House of Calvet in 1900, Gaudí received the municipal award for the best building of the year. Thus, for the first time, city authorities are celebrating his work and paying attention to his creativity.

In the midst of work on Park Güell, Gaudi receives an order to rebuild the residential building of textile magnate Josep Batllo, located in the Eixample district. Preserving the original structure of the house, the architect designs two new facades, remodels the ground floor and mezzanine, and creates a basement, attic and asotea. In 1906, a unique architectural creation, which at that time had no equal in Barcelona, ​​appeared before the eyes of the townspeople.

It was after this that they began to talk about Gaudi as an opponent of straight lines, angles and clear forms, since in Casa Batllo all this is almost completely absent.

In 1910, another work by Gaudi appeared in Barcelona, ​​created for the Mila family. It became the architect's last work, after which he devoted himself entirely to the Sagrada Familia.

Park Guell

One of the most famous attractions of Barcelona - Park Güell - the brainchild of the union of Eusebi Güell and Antoni Gaudi. Construction took place from 1900 to 1914.

Temple of the Sagrada Familia (Sagrada Familia)

The main brainchild and apotheosis of Gaudi’s entire work, his life’s work, a landmark that is one of the most popular in Europe.

Many of Antoni Gaudi's objects are located outside of Barcelona, ​​for example in the city of Leon. Gaudi took part in the design and construction of estates and country houses of famous people of those times not only in Barcelona, ​​but throughout Spain. It is interesting that the architect created a project for the Attraction Hotel in New York, however, unfortunately, it was not implemented.

Tours of the masterpieces of Antoni Gaudi

In Barcelona, ​​as in a major tourist center, there are many excursion offers for the above listed Gaudí masterpieces. If you are interested in this architecture and the biography of its creator, we recommend that you pay attention to excursions from Russian-speaking local residents of the city - our former compatriots:

Gaudi architecture on the map

Biography of Antonio Gaudi and the history of his work

So, how can you describe the greatest architect of the 20th century?

Antonio Placid Guilhem Gaudí i Cornet was born in the suburbs of Barcelona, ​​the city of Reus (today, a resort on the Costa Daurada). He was brought up in religious traditions, although his father renounced his faith, Antonio’s mother was a devout woman. The birth of children was a tragic event rather than a holiday for the family, since the children died without having time to utter a single sound. Antonio believed that his birth was an omen for something greater, and that he should dedicate his life to accomplish great things.
The fact that Gaudi became an architect was not a surprise to anyone, since for 8 generations the family adhered to the crafts (weavers, boilermakers, merchants, peasants, turners and coppersmiths). Antonio Gaudi i Cornet was proud of his origins, and did not stop the traditions that had developed in the family.

Having graduated from school in 1868, mastering the art of painting, he, with the blessing of his parents, went to Barcelona to continue his studies, choosing architecture as the main direction of his activity. Entering the university took a long time, as he decided to take preparatory courses, which took about 5 years to complete.
For inspiration, he did not need to leave the area in which he lived, since his first apartment was located in historical center Barcelona. Inspired by the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Map, which fully reflects faith through architecture, he chooses the path along which he wants to direct his creativity.
Making progress in the implementation of his activities, accepting orders from various organizations, he took on any work (forged gates, furniture, fences, sign design) in order to financially help his family, as well as to practice only the acquired skills of an architect.

Orders did not come in constantly, since, firstly, the implementation of ideas took a long time, and, secondly, Gaudi’s complex character made itself felt - the inaccessibility and absolute determination of his actions always took possession of him: if you do not agree with his ideas, then look for another creator - this was Antonio’s opinion throughout his life. And only one customer managed to enter the circle of those close to him, only one financially gave Gaudi scope for any of his fantasies, realizing each of his dreams. It was Eusebi Güell.

Antonio Gaudi only at first looked for himself exclusively in architecture. Later, with the advent of the Catholic faith in his life, his love for God came, which was reflected in a wide variety of religious architecture: the design of the interior decoration of the pantheon chapel for the Marquis de Comillas, the design of the church in Villa Ricos, joint work with Domenech on the facade Cathedral Barcelona, ​​collaboration with Martorell in the construction of a church for the Jesuit College on the Caspvi Church in Salesas. He became known as the only young architect who implemented so many projects with a religious orientation, and the only one who was entrusted with his experience by the older generation of the best architects. Behind such a desire to get closer to God, one can see the hidden thoughts of Antonio Gaudi, the true meaning of which no one was able to reveal. Together with religiosity, in his creations we see natural contours, the greatness of which Gaudi tried to reflect. Everything that surrounded him could become part of his masterpieces.
The fame of Antonio Gaudi's talent and originality reached the first architect of the Sagrada Familia, Francisco del Villar, whose place Antonio took in 1883. The Sagrada Familia became Gaudi's only goal, which lived with him from 31 to 74 years of his life, and the implementation of which has been ongoing for the second century.
He spent the last years of his life at a construction site, lived in poverty, and was unsociable. The idea of ​​​​creating the greatest concentration of the religious spirit absorbed him completely, leaving no room for family, for love, for social life, for friends.

Choosing the path of a hermit, he died alone, under the rails of a tram, and was buried in the crypt of his “brainchild”, the Sagrada Familia, on June 10, 1926. Today, for his merits, the issue of canonizing Antoni Gaudi, the Catalan architect, as a Saint is being decided.
So who is he? What was he trying to say by his complete renunciation of his family, but his closeness to God? And what is the secret plan that has remained with us forever in the fossilized cultural masterpieces of the greatest architect of the 20th century, Antonio Gaudi i Cornet?

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Nowadays, few people have not heard of the architect and the Sagrada Familia, his most famous work. Catalans idolize Gaudi, because it was thanks to him that Barcelona acquired its unique style.

Biography of Antonio Gaudi reveals a lot of interesting points about his life, despite the fact that all his life the genius was a rather reserved person, having practically no friends. Architecture was the main meaning of his life, an element in which he did not give concessions to anyone, often being harsh and cruel with workers. Antonio Gaudi i Cornet born on June 25, 1852 in Reus (Catalonia), or in a village near this town, becoming the fifth child in the family. It is the fact that his entire childhood was spent near the sea that explains the bizarre shapes of the genius’s buildings, reminiscent of sand castles. Even as a child, Antonio suffered from pneumonia and rheumatism. Due to his illnesses, he had practically no friends, so the boy was often alone with nature, even then dreaming of becoming an architect. Subsequently, this influenced the creation of forms in his creations that were close to natural.

Since 1868, Gaudi moved to Barcelona, ​​where he took architectural courses. One of the teachers called him either a genius or crazy for his unconventional projects. Gaudi never used drawings or computers; in his work he was guided only by intuition, making all calculations in his mind. It cannot be said that the architect was in search of his own style; he simply saw the world this way, creating masterpieces of architecture. Here we can point out the fact that Antonio’s ancestors, right up to his great-grandfathers, were boilermakers; the most complex products were made “by eye”, without drawings. This apparently was their family trait. In 1878, he was finally noticed and received his first commission - designing a Barcelona street lamp. The following year the project was fully implemented.

House of Vicens

The House of Vicens (Casa Vicens, 1878) was designed for diploma student and building materials manufacturer Manuel Vincens at the beginning of Gaudí's architectural career. The house has a simple rectangular plan, built of stone and brick, but the architect equipped the building with rich ceramic decoration and so many extensions, turrets and balconies that the house looked like fairytale palace. The master drew inspiration from ancient Arab architecture. Gaudi himself designed the window bars and garden fence, and also made sketches of the interior of the dining room and smoking room. This project was the first to use the experience of creating a parabolic arch. This villa can be seen on Carolines Street, unfortunately now without a garden.

His career began with very modest commissions; in addition to a street lamp for the Royal Square, he designed store windows and designed street toilets. But thanks to this, he was noticed by the wealthy industrialist Count Eusebio Güell y Bacigalupi, who became his patron and regular customer until the count’s death in 1918. Count Guell gave Gaudí complete freedom, thereby allowing him to express himself. Everything that Antonio built for Güell became a collection of masterpieces that Barcelona is so proud of.

Gaudí's first work for Count Güell was the construction of the count's estate in the district of Garraf (1884-1887). Only the gate with the forged dragon remained intact; the appearance of the mighty monster on the gate was very symbolic, since it is part of the emblem of Catalonia, and its curves follow the outlines of the Draco constellation. This was what Gaudi was all about; all his buildings and sculptures are imbued with symbolism. Next to the gate are the entrance pavilions, which formerly housed the stables, the riding arena and the gatekeeper's house, and now the Gaudí Research Center. The domed turrets on these pavilions are reminiscent of the book One Thousand and One Nights.

Gaudí’s most unique work for the count was the building of the Barcelona residence of the Güells (1886-1891). This building is a clear reflection of Gaudí's own style. A unique combination of materials and multi-colors creates fantastic images. The roof of this building is covered with decorative chimneys and ventilation pipes of unimaginable types, none of which are repeated. Gaudi did not forget about the practicality of his buildings; thanks to the huge arches, it was easy for carriages to enter the stables located under the house. Inside the house there was a spacious main hall, which was crowned with a dome with holes, so that even during the day, raising your head, it seemed as if you were looking at the starry sky. Everything in this building was designed by Gaudí, the balcony railings, the furniture, the stucco on the ceilings, the columns (forty different shapes).

The architect's main dream was to build churches; he was a deeply religious man. He was approached by the Catholic Church to complete the building of the College of the Sisters of the Order of St. Teresa, which had been abandoned by another architect. The order's funds were very meager, since the order took a vow of poverty. But Gaudi was able to give this building a sophisticated, sophisticated style, decorating it not luxuriously, but modestly: with the coats of arms of the order, turrets with crosses and arches.

Another order of the church was the episcopal palace in Astorga (1887-1893), which he never managed to complete, since the Academy of Fine Arts in Madrid, whose permission was required for the implementation of this project, hounded the architect with amendments, and he quit the job because defended every stroke on his drawings. The palace was completed by a different architect, but retained the general appearance from Gaudí, reminiscent of medieval castles with its turrets and buttresses.

However, of course, the most famous work of the master remains the Sagrada Familia (Cathedral of the Holy Family), made in an atypical style for temple architecture. Construction of the cathedral architect Antonio Gaudi devoted a lot of time and effort, starting it in 1883, however, the building was never completed due to the death of Antoni Gaudi. After the genius passed away, the Sagrada Familia project remained unfinished, since Antonio did not like to draw, and there were no original drawings left after him. The forms and symbolism of the cathedral are so complex, and Gaudí's working method is so unique, that all subsequent attempts to continue the construction looked too uncertain.

In addition to the Sagrada Familia, Barcelona is home to 13 major buildings by Antoni Gaudí, which give the city a unique flavor and give an idea of ​​the style of the brilliant creator. These include Casa Mila (a residential building whose walls are painted on the inside, and on a flat, uneven roof there are chimneys lined with pieces of glass and ceramics), Casa Batllo (the wavy, scaly roof of which resembles a giant snake), Porta Mirales (a rounded wall , covered with tiles made of tortoiseshell), Park Güell (which is an urban style in nature, there is not a single straight line here, this park has become the pearl of Barcelona), the church of the Güell country estate, the Bellesguard house (a villa in the form of a Gothic castle with stained glass windows of a complex star shape ) and of course many others, since, having become “fashionable” among wealthy citizens, he did not go out of it until the end of his life.

Architect Antonio Gaudi died when hit by a tram on June 7, 1926. There is widespread information that on this day the first tram was launched in Barcelona and that it was supposedly that the architect was crushed by it, but this is just a legend. Gaudi was an unkempt old man and was mistaken for a homeless man. He died three days later on June 10, in a homeless shelter, but he was identified quite by chance by an elderly woman. And thanks to her, the great architect was not buried in a common grave, but was buried with honors in the building of his entire life, the Temple of the Holy Family, where you can see his grave and death mask.

By decision of UNESCO, Park Güell, Palace Güell and Casa Mila were declared heritage of humanity.

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In the 70s of the 19th century, young Gaudi moved to Barcelona. After 5 years of preparatory courses, Gaudí was accepted into the Provincial School of Architecture, from which he graduated in 1878.

In 1870-1882, Antoni Gaudí worked as a draftsman, unsuccessfully participating in competitions. He learned the trades, doing many small jobs (fencing, lanterns, etc.) and designing furniture for his own home.

At this time, the neo-Gothic style began to flourish in Europe, and young Gaudi enthusiastically followed advanced ideas. The declaration “Decorativeness is the beginning of architecture” proclaimed by the followers of the neo-Gothic style completely coincided with the ideas of Gaudi, who over time developed his own, completely unique architectural style.

Gaudi architecture

At the beginning of Gaudi's work, influenced by the architecture of Barcelona and the architect Martorell, he built his first buildings, richly decorated: “stylistic twins” - the elegant Casa Vicens () and the fancy El Capriccio (Comillas, Cantabria); also a compromise House of Calvet (Barcelona) in a pseudo-baroque style. At the same time, Gaudí was making a project in a restrained Gothic, even “serf” style - the School at the Monastery of St. Teresa (), as well as an unrealized project for the buildings of the Franciscan Mission in Tangier; neo-Gothic Episcopal Palace in Astorga (Castilla, Leon) and the House of Botines (Leon).

A decisive role in Gaudi’s implementation was played by the architect’s meeting with Eusebi Güell, with whom he became friends. This textile magnate richest man, no stranger to aesthetic insights, could afford to order any dream, and Gaudi received what every creator dreams of: freedom of expression without regard to the budget.

Gaudi designs pavilions for the estate in Pedralbes near Barcelona for the Güell family; wine cellars in Garraf, chapels and crypts of Colonia Güell (Santa Coloma de Cervelho); fantastic().

Over time, Gaudi developed his own style, where there was not a single straight line. The construction of Palais Güell turned Gaudí into Barcelona's most fashionable architect, soon becoming an "almost unaffordable luxury". For the bourgeoisie of Barcelona, ​​he built houses one more unusual than the other: a space that is born and develops, expanding and moving, like living matter - Casa Mila; a living, trembling creature, the fruit of a bizarre fantasy - Casa Batllo.

Customers who were ready to spend half a fortune on construction initially believed in the genius of the architect laying out new way in architecture.

Death of Gaudi

Gaudi died at the age of 73. On June 7, 1926, he left home on his daily journey to the Church of Sant Felip Neri, of which he was a parishioner. As he walked absent-mindedly along the Gran Via de las Cortes Catalanes between Girona and Bailén streets, he was hit by a tram and Gaudí lost consciousness.

Cab drivers refused to take an unkempt, unknown old man without money or documents to the hospital, fearing non-payment for the trip. Still, Gaudi was taken to a hospital for the poor, where he was given only primitive medical care. Only the next day the chaplain found and identified him. By that time, Gaudi's condition had already deteriorated so much that the best treatment could not help him.

Gaudi died on June 10, 1926 and was buried two days later in the crypt of the cathedral he had not completed.

Gaudi architecture in Barcelona:

Casa Batllo i Casa Novas

Casa Batllo(cat. Casa Batlló), also called "House of Bones"- a residential building built in 1877 for textile magnate Josep Batllo i Casanovas at , 43 in the district, and rebuilt by the architect Antoni Gaudí in 1904-1906.

Even before finishing the construction work, Gaudi received an order to remodel an apartment building owned by the family of the wealthy textile manufacturer Josep Batllo i Casanovas and located next to the modernist Amalle house. The owner of the house intended to demolish the old building from 1875 and build a new one in its place, but Gaudi decided otherwise.

Architecture of Casa Batllo

Gaudí retained the original structure of the house, adjacent with side walls to two neighboring buildings, but designed two new facades, the main one from the side, and the rear one into the block. In addition, Gaudí completely remodeled the lower floor and mezzanine, making original furniture, and adding a basement, attic and asotea (stepped roof terrace). Two light shafts were combined into a single courtyard, which improved daylighting and ventilation of the building. The idea of ​​​​giving special importance to the courtyard of light, first realized in the Casa Batllo, was used by Gaudí during the construction Home Mila.

Many researchers of Gaudi's work recognize that the reconstruction of Casa Batllo is the beginning of a new creative stage for the master: from this project, Gaudi's architectural projects will be built on the basis of his own vision, without regard to accepted norms and styles.

Features of Casa Batllo

A distinctive feature of Casa Batlló is the almost complete absence of straight lines in its architecture. The decor of the façade is made of cut stone quarried on Barcelona's Montjuïc hill, as well as the interior design - everything is done on the basis of wavy lines. They interpret the appearance of the facade in very different ways, but in general they agree that the main facade is an allegory of the dragon - Gaudi’s favorite character, whose image was used in many of his creations. The victory of the patron saint of Catalonia, St. George, over the dragon may be an allegory of the victory of good over evil. The sword of St. George, pierced into the “backbone of the dragon”, is presented in the form of a turret topped with a St. George’s cross, the façade of the building depicts the sparkling “scales” of the monster and is strewn with the bones and “skulls” of its victims, which can be seen in the shapes of the mezzanine columns and balconies.

As is typical for Gaudí, every detail in Casa Batlló is carefully thought out. Pay attention to the design of the light palace, where Gaudi created a special play of chiaroscuro. To achieve uniform illumination, the architect gradually changes the color of the ceramic cladding from white to blue and blue, deepening it from bottom to top, adding a real splash of azure to the finishes of chimneys and ventilation pipes. For the same reason, the size of the windows facing the patio also changes, gradually decreasing with height. The elegant attic of the house is based on the parabolic arches used by Gaudí in other projects.

Casa Batllo decor

All the decor of the house is made by the best masters of applied art. The forged elements were made by the blacksmiths Badia brothers, the stained glass windows were made by glass blower Josep Pelegri, the tiles were made by P. Pujol i Bausis son, and other ceramic parts were made by Sebastian i Ribot. The cladding of the main façade was entirely manufactured in Manacor (Mallorca island). The furniture created by Gaudí during the interior design is now part of the collection in Park Guell.

Casa Batlló, together with Casa Amalle and Casa Lleo Morera, is part of "The Quarter of Discord", so named because of the stylistic heterogeneity of the modernist buildings that form it.

Casa Batlló was declared an Artistic Monument of Barcelona in 1962, a Monument of National Importance in 1969, and included in the List in 2005.

Visit Casa Batllo in Barcelona:

• Website: www.casabatllo.es
• Opening hours: daily 9 - 19 (last entry at 20:00)
• Directions: 7, 16, 17, 22, 24 and 28. Barcelona Tourist Bus (North & South) stop Casa Batlló – Fundació Antoni Tàpies.| Barcelona Tourist Bus (North & South) stop Casa Batlló – Fundació Antoni Tàpies.| Metro: Passeig de Gràcia station: L2, L3 and L4.
• Audio guide - included in the ticket price. Available in Russian.
• Entrance:
  • adults: 21.5€
  • students and pensioners > 65 years old: 18.5€
  • 7 - 18 years: 18.5€
  • children under 7 years old - free
  • Night visit (21:00) - 29€

House Mila

At the corner with Carrere de Provenca (Provenca Street) stands the main boulevard - Mila's house(Casa Milà, Provença, 261-265, Passeig de Gratia, 92). This building by Antoni Gaudi looks more like a work of sculpture than a work of architecture.

Architecture of Casa Mila

The six-story house looks like a huge rock, its window and door openings resemble grottoes, and the wrought-iron balcony bars are made in the shape of fantastic plants. The house is often called La Pedrera, that is, “The Quarry.” Gaudi built it in 1906-1910. for the richest Mila family; here were the owners’ living quarters, an office, and some of the apartments were rented out. Now, in addition to the bank CAixAdeCAtAlunyA, who allocated funds for the restoration of the building, the Gaudi Museum is located in the house.

In one of the apartments there is a kind of museum of everyday life of the Art Nouveau era; Please note that there are no straight lines here! You can also climb to the fantastic rooftop, where giant multi-colored chimney ledges resemble medieval knights. It was on this roof that the famous film by M. Antonioni “Profession: Reporter” was filmed.

Religious motives in Gaudi's architecture

The house was built on the site of the 11th century Temple of the Virgin Mary, and therefore its entire appearance is permeated with religious motifs. The building was to be crowned by a colossal figure of the Madonna (12 m) with angels - the entire building of the Mila House would then be perceived as her grandiose pedestal. However, the Madonna was never installed due to the anti-church riots of the Tragic Week of 1909, when crowds smashed and burned churches and monasteries. Religious symbolism is present in all Gaudí's buildings; “the silent wave of the blue mountain” (as the English art critic D. Ruskin called the house of Mila) was supposed to capture “the soul of Catalonia2 and remind Montserrat monastery.

But we must remember that Gaudi intended to somewhat soften the impression of harsh power from this house - the residents had to decorate their balconies with creeping and hanging flowers, cacti, palm trees, thereby complementing the architecture and sculpture with living vegetation. The most important role in the construction of the Casa Mila was played by Gaudí's permanent assistant J. Jujol, who designed the wrought iron grilles of the building's balconies.

Visit Casa Mila in Barcelona:

• House Mila - on the list
• Address: Provença, 261-265, Barcelona
• www.lapedrera.com
• Directions: metro: L3 and L5 stop Diagonal.| buses: 7, 16, 17, 22, 24, 39 and V17.| FGC trains: Provença station.| Barcelona Bus Turístic: stop Pg. de Gràcia-La Pedrera.
• Working hours:
• November - February: La Pedrera by day: daily 9 - 18:30, last entry 18:00. The Secret Pedrera: Wednesday - Saturday 19 - 22:30, choice of tours and languages.
• March - October: La Pedrera by Day: hedgehog. 9 - 20, last entry 19:30. The Secret Pedrera: hedgehog. 20:30 - 0:00, choice of excursions and languages.
• Closed: December 25 and 1 week in January.
• Entrance: DAY: adults €16.50, students: €14.85 disabled: €14.85, children (up to 6 years old inclusive): free, children 7 - 12 years old: €8.25
• Entrance IN THE EVENING: adults: 30 €, children 7-12 children: 15 €, children under 6 years old inclusive - free.

Sagrada Familia (Cathedral of the Holy Family)

This was one of his first buildings, which Antoni Gaudi built in 1886-1889. for his patron, textile magnate Eusebio de Güell Bacigalupi. It was probably thanks to his close friendship with him that Gaudi managed to achieve unprecedented architectural perfection: Güell did not count the money he allocated for Gaudí’s buildings and their constant reconstruction, he settled numerous legal problems, and as a result, Gaudí became, in fact, the Güell family architect. He built everything for them - equipment for drying clothes on the roof of a city house, a mansion, a church, and an entire park.

The architect and industrialist had much in common: they both came from the surrounding area, both were fanatical patriots. Be sure to stop by the palace; You are unlikely to be left indifferent by the fireplaces, weather vanes in the shape of bats, parabolic arches, neo-Byzantine living rooms, spear columns on the second floor, multi-colored ceramic chimneys on the roof (according to legend, to achieve the desired effect, Gaudi broke items of the extremely expensive Limoges service).

Interior of Palace Güell

The decoration of the rooms was incredibly expensive - carved rosewood and oak ceilings were decorated with applied leaves of gold and silver, inlaid with ivory and tortoiseshell; candlesticks were attached to the marble walls. Some art historians believe that the drawing of the mansion resembles the plan in; others note similarities with Babylonian ziggurats. The mansion had a front door official residence Güell - even before the completion of construction work, Queen Regent Maria Cristina visited him here.

In the 1880s, when construction was underway Palace Guell, the southeastern side was considered unsuitable for a fashionable life - this seedy area was then called Chinatown and was swarming with prostitutes, alcoholics, and syphilitics; It was here that the French writer Jean Genet lived, creating his “Diary of a Thief” - a chronicle of the life of the Barcelona “bottom”. Now this area is inhabited mainly by emigrants from Latin America and is still considered a slum in Barcelona. By the way, if you want to live close to the center of Barcelona and very cheaply, and you are not too fussy, then this place will be ideal - lots of cheap restaurants around, just a stone's throw away…

Visit Palace Güell in Barcelona

• Palau Güell
• Address: Carrer Nou de la Rambla, 3-5
• Tel: +34 934 72 57 75
• Working hours:
• Open from Tuesday to Sunday, both days inclusive.
  • Summer opening hours (from April 1 to October 31): from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (ticket offices close at 7 p.m.)
  • Winter opening hours (from November 1 to March 31): from 10 to 17:30 (ticket offices close at 16:30)
  • Closed: Monday except holidays, December 25 and 26, January 1 and from January 6 to 13 (for prevention)

• Entrance:
  • adults: 12€
  • other options:
  • The audio guide is included in the ticket price.
• Buy a ticket to Vdorets Güell:
  • Tickets can be purchased at the Palais Guell box office located on the street. Nou de la Rambla, no. 1, 20 meters from the main entrance to Palais Güell. Tickets can also be purchased in advance for a specific time and date.

The unique architectural appearance of the capital of Catalonia was magically influenced by the work of the great master Gaudi. Architect Antoni Gaudi i Cornet was born on June 25, 1852 in the city of Reus in the Catalan province of Tarragona. His parents were boilermakers, and the young genius often helped his father and grandfather, admiring the masterly work of their hands in the manufacture of copper products. In love with nature and observant, Antonio was attracted by the perfection of forms, the play of colors and lines from childhood. The love for everything natural found a way out in Gaudi’s work - the master’s favorite materials were stone, ceramics, wood and wrought iron.

In total, Gaudí's architectural heritage includes 18 buildings, most of them are located in Barcelona, ​​defining the entire appearance of the city. He was in love with this city, spoke Catalan and drew inexhaustible inspiration for creativity from the culture of his people. Among the most famous works Antonio Gaudi in Barcelona - Casa Vicens, Teresian School, Bellesguard House, Palace Güell, Casa Batlló, Casa Mila (La Pedrera), Park Güell and, of course, the Sagrada Familia.

The mysterious symbol of the city - the Church of the Holy Family

The temple is the “trademark” of Barcelona, ​​a universally recognized symbol of the city. Its majestic towers truly produce unforgettable impression, the building itself is full of secrets and coded messages from Gaudí. But perhaps main mystery This masterpiece, which was conceived as a temple of atonement for sins, lies in its incompleteness.

The building was designed in the Gothic style, traces of which can be seen in the crypt and apse, but then the genius of improvisation changed the idea, experimenting with styles and creating his own unique architectural style. When creating the temple, Gaudi almost did not use drawings; he made sketches with his own hands, and therefore the work took a lot of time. The architect worked on the Sagrada Familia for forty-three years without completing the construction. In 1926, he died when he was hit by a tram at the intersection of Gran Via and Bailen streets.

In 1936, Gaudi's workshops were burned, and only 20 years later work on the construction of the temple was resumed, using small pieces of photographs and sketches and, of course, without that magical improvisation that was unique to Gaudi. Construction of the cathedral continues to this day, steadily overcoming financial and other difficulties. The Sagrada Familia, located in the very center of the city at 401 Mallorca Street, annually attracts thousands of tourists who, admiring the grandeur of Gaudí's project, try to unravel its secret...

Casa Batllo in Barcelona

Casa Batllo (“Battle”, "Batlio » ) - one of the many masterpieces of Antoni Gaudi, an elegant example of the Art Nouveau style, so widespread in Catalonia at the beginning of the 20th century. Casa Batlló was built between 1904 and 1906 at 43 Paseo de Gracia. Gaudi reconstructed the house using his signature style: multi-colored and sparkling mosaics, curved lines, expressive forms, fancy balconies, a fantastic roof with tiles in the shape of fish scales.

The local name for the house is Casa dels ossos (“House of Bones”). It is truly recognizable as images of the bones and internal organs of some gigantic mysterious animal. The roof of the house is covered with arches, which creates associations with the back of a dragon. According to the generally accepted opinion, the rounded detail to the left of the center, ending in a turret with a cross, represents the sword of St. George (Saint George - the patron saint of Catalonia), stabbed into the back of the dragon.

Casa Mila, La Pedrera

Casa Mila in Barcelona is one of the best examples of the architectural concept of Antoni Gaudi. To some, its façade resembles rolling waves, while to others, it resembles a stone mountain with caves. Barcelonans jokingly call it “La Pedrera” (“The Quarry”).

Gaudí, as usual, drew inspiration from nature when constructing this house on the corner of the busy Passeig de Gràcia and Provença. The concept of modernity here is something living, fluid, moving; you can distinguish caves, the sea, and the underwater world. The view of Barcelona from the roof is also amazing; there are no fencing railings, and the gardens and mysterious figures seem to hang over the abyss.

In 1984, Casa Mila was declared UNESCO World Heritage, and today the top floor houses a museum dedicated to Antonio Gaudi, the remaining floors are given over to luxury housing.

Park Guell

Another famous Gaudí project is Park Güell, located behind Place Lesseps, on Rue Olot. The park was built from 1900 to 1914, but, unfortunately, like the Sagrada Familia, it was not completed.

The park, a joint project of Gaudi and the entrepreneur Güell, was a very promising idea: on the slope of one of the hills of the Barcelona plain, it was planned to build a green town for the relaxation of wealthy citizens. However, the economic crisis struck and construction had to be frozen. Gaudi managed to only partially realize his dreams - one wall of the proposed park was built.

At the entrance to the park you are greeted by two cozy “gingerbread” houses, modeled after fortress towers, separated by spectacular iron gates (Gaudi himself later settled in one of these houses). A staircase leads up, decorated with sculptures of phantasmagoric animals covered in mosaics, among them is Gaudi’s characteristic lizard, a symbol of good luck and prosperity, found in almost every work of the master. The staircase leads to the spacious “Hall of a Hundred Columns”, the highlight of which is that the roof is also a winding balcony, and the cornice of the colonnade is the back of a continuous bench bordering the entire upper area. From here one of the best views to the city.

Park Güell is considered one of Gaudí's works where his imagination was most evident. In the house where the architect lived in 1906–1926, a museum named after him is now open.

Casa Vicens

One of the first works of Antoni Gaudí is the Vicens House, which is located at 18–24 Caroline Street. In 1878, the young entrepreneur Manuel Vicens ordered the construction of his house from the then aspiring architect Antonio Gaudi. For reasons beyond his control, construction was delayed for 5 years, and this was a salvation for the young Gaudi, who simply did not know how to design a house: the construction site was quite narrow, and it was necessary to build in a row of almost “rubbed” together buildings.

As a result, Gaudi’s imagination was not able to run wild to the fullest; the house was built very simply, without frills or crooked lines. To revive the image, the architect decided to decorate the facade of the building using numerous bay windows and tiled decor. The natural stone wall base was complemented by raw brick trim. However, the main attraction of the house was given by the colorful tiled decoration of the walls and windows and the crazy mixture of styles: Gaudi used techniques from different traditions, combining incompatible things, sculpting yellow flowers from tiles, installing Moorish turrets on the roof and decorating the garden with a wrought-iron fence in the art nouveau style. The result is a wonderful example of modernism and a testament to the eternal genius of Antoni Gaudi.

If you are going to Barcelona, ​​be sure to visit these sights, priceless heritage of Antoni Gaudi. Contact us atphones Center for services for business and life in Spain “Spain in Russian” , and we will help organize interesting individual or group excursions tothe unforgettable creations of Antoni Gaudi.