Antoni Gaudí's Masterpieces in Barcelona and Beyond
La Sagrada Familia and Parc Güell are at the top of the list of must-see sites in Barcelona. These are probably the most notable examples of Antoni Gaudí's architecture in the city. You can find plenty of photos of these online. And seeing them in person is an unforgettable experience. Other notable works of this distinguished modernist architect include Casa Milá (AKA, La Pedrera), Casa Batlló, Casa Vicens, and Palau Güell, all located in Barcelona. Outside of Barcelona you'll find Cripta Gaudí at the Colonia Güell. All seven of these Gaudí creations are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. By now, you might be wondering why three of these locations have the word Güell in them. Eusebi Güell was a wealthy Catalan industrialist and patron of Antoni Gaudí. He commissioned several of Gaudí's masterpieces, the ones bearing his name, and the Sagrada Família. Güell's support was crucial in shaping Gaudí's career and advancing Modernist architecture in Barcelona.
A Little Bit About Antoni Gaudí
Antoni Gaudí (1852-1926) was a visionary Spanish architect from Barcelona, deeply influenced by nature and a key figure in the Catalan Modernista movement. After graduating from the Provincial School of Architecture in 1878, he initially worked in the Victorian style but soon developed his unique approach. Gaudí's innovative use of tilting columns and lightweight vaults is evident in several of his most famous works. He dedicated his later years solely to the Sagrada Família, tragically passing in 1926 after being hit by a trolley car in Barcelona. Oddly, we have a great grandfather who had a similar fate in in the late 1800s. Who knew?!
Exploring Barcelona: More Must-See Sights Beyond Gaudí
Honestly, there is so much to see and do in Barcelona that you could easily spend a week taking it all in. We’ve really enjoyed other activities and places of interest such as walking up and down La Rambla, visiting El Mercat de la Boqueria, and hanging out in the Plaça Reial. The Gracia and Gothic neighborhoods are some other places to explore. Soccer (or futbol to locals) enthusiasts will appreciate a tour of Camp Nou, home of FC Barcelona. And then there’s Montjuic, literally “Jewish Mountain,” a hill in the city with a castle, botanical garden, green spaces and museums. We’ve never made it up there on any of our visits, so we plan to go the next time. And there are two more UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Palau de la Música Catalana, and Sant Pau Recinte Modernista. We’ll provide more details on these and other things to see and do in Barcelona in future articles. In this one we are focusing on the seven examples of Gaudí's work covered in the initial paragraph.
Planning Your Visit: Tips for Booking and Timing
Before we dive in, we wanted to note that tickets to these attractions are sold online by date and time and these sites are strict about the time so be sure to plan accordingly. If you arrive late, your ticket may no longer be valid. If you arrive early, you’ll probably have to wait to enter. You can do both Sagrada Familia and Parc Güell in one day. But you need to plan enough time for each one and plenty of time in between, allowing for travel time and potential delays while waiting for a cab or bus. Casa Milá, Casa Batlló, and Palau Güell are also very popular and reserving online is a far better option than trying to buy tickets at the door. We'll describe these attractions below and provide some guidance on how long you should plan for your visit.
The Sagrada Familia
The Sagrada Familia, a Roman Catholic church that's still under construction, is perhaps the most famous work of Antoni Gaudí and one of the most visited tourist attractions in Barcelona, and the world, for that matter. This is an absolute must see! We first visited in the fall of 1986 when very little of it had been completed. We seem to recall sitting on a modest set of bleachers, listening to our tour leader convey details about this sacred place and the architect who dreamed it up in his genius mind. We didn't go in. It was probably not possible at that point. Only a small fraction of it had been completed. During the tour you'll learn why it has taken so long to build what's there today.
Since then, we’ve visited again in 2009 and again in 2014; these more recent visits being the ones that most impressed us. Our iPhone cameras were not the greatest back then. So, you'll have to excuse some of the older photos. We were literally in awe of the beautiful structure both inside and out. Even on an overcast day, the beauty is astounding. The way the colorful light enters the stained glass and fills the space is one of the most special things we've experienced anywhere. As an aside, last year when we visited the Alhambra in Granada, Spain, we learned that Antoni Gaudí frequently visited the Alhambra as it was one of his favorite places (we wholeheartedly agree). If you're fortunate enough to visit both the Sagrada Familia and the Alhambra, we think you’ll discover for yourself some of the elements of the Alhambra that may have inspired elements of the Sagrada Familia and other Gaudí works.
Tickets for the Sagrada Familia can be bought online or at the church. We recommend buying them online. You need to select a date and time and you need to be there punctually. When planning your trip, be sure to check their website to purchase tickets and learn details on how to get there and what to expect. The. audio guide is on an app you’ll need to download before you arrive (when you have WiFi) and it lasts 45 minutes (25 minutes if you do the express version). We have have used the audio guide tour including the visit to the tower and recommend it. You will probably pause the audio guide from time to time as you’ll want to take photos! So, the visit is likely to take more time than the duration of the audio guide.
Whimsical Parc Güell
Another masterpiece by Antoni Gaudí is Parc Güell. It’s known for its colorful mosaics, whimsical sculptures, and stunning views of the city. Adults and children alike will be astounded by the wonderfully creative architecture and sculptures throughout the park. It's no wonder that it's a very popular attraction in Barcelona. We've wandered through this park on multiple occasions over the years and always enjoy it. Interestingly, many visitors are unaware that originally Parc Güell was intended to be a residential community, not a public park. That's why the Gaudí House is still in the park as a museum. Gaudi's vision included modern conveniences like running water and a market, but the project was abandoned due to lack of interest.
Visiting Parc Güell
You should plan to spend two hours here; especially if you’re going to see the Gaudi House Museum. Tickets can be bought online or at the park entrance but if you’re visiting during high season, it's best to buy them online. We recommend purchasing tickets well ahead of time if you can. From Sagrada Familia it's about a 30-minute walk, 32 minutes on public transportation, or a 10-minute cab ride.
To be honest, we think you’d be better off seeing Parc Güell first and then Sagrada Familia, especially if you plan to see them both in the same day and plan to walk. The park is at the top of a hill and walking downhill is much more pleasurable in our opinion.
Per the website, “you must arrive at the access control point at the assigned time so as not to lose your scheduled entry times. Access will not be allowed outside the times stated on the ticket. You have 30 minutes after the time marked on your ticket to enter the site. Once that deadline has passed, you will lose your right to enter. Once you are inside the park, you can take as long as you like to enjoy the brilliant architect's work, but once you have left it you cannot re-enter. Once tickets have been purchased, no change of date or time will be allowed.” They offer various ticket options. The one with both the park and the Gaudí House is currently €14.
La Pedrera AKA Casa Milà
Gaudí’s La Pedrera is a whimsical apartment building among the architect’s most famous works. In fact, it was Gaudí’s last civic architectural project. On the tour you don’t just learn about the structure; you’ll also gain knowledge of Gaudí’s entire body of work. Just standing outside you can admire its undulating facade. Inside you can see its courtyards, stunning mosaics and panoramic views of the city from the rooftop terrace. A curious fact about this former residential estate is that Gaudí's original vision for La Pedrera was never fully realized due to disagreements with the Milà family, neighbors, and the City Council.
Visiting La Pedrera
As of this writing, there are various options for your visit:
The “Essential” visit is self-guided with a free audio guide and gives you access to the main parts of the building.
The “Premium” visit is a small group, guided tour in English which accesses exclusive spaces and includes a glass of cava, a sparkling wine produced in the region following the Champagne method.
The “Night Experience” is also guided, includes audio/video screenings, a show on the rooftop, and a glass of cava.
Finally, they offer a guided “Sunrise” tour before their normal opening time.
You’ll want to read more about these options at their website to see which one is right for you. Please note that each of these are only partially accessible. So, if that’s a consideration for you, you should seek more info before buying tickets. You should plan to spend at least 1 hour here for the self-guided tour. The guided tours each last an hour and a half.
The Imaginative Casa Batlló
Casa Batlló is another of Gaudí's most famous works. It was designed and built between 1904 and 1906 for the wealthy Batlló family. The house features a striking tile facade, bone-like columns, a dragon-shaped roof, and flowing, ocean-inspired shapes. It represents the height of Gaudí’s imaginative, nature-inspired style with innovative approaches to lighting and architecture.
Since Gaudí avoided straight edges to mimic nature, the structure feels almost alive. Many see echoes of the Sant Jordi (Saint George) and Dragon legend throughout the building, especially on the remarkable rooftop. The Spire is meant to be St. George's sword. The rooftop is the scaly figure of a dragon. The highest balcony is the princess tower. The other balconies are skulls. The interior staircase from the lobby is the dragon's tail. And the windows of the lower portion of the facade are meant to represent the bones of the dragon's victims. We'll share some details of the legend that'll help explain some of this.
Legend has it...
The tale of St. George and the Dragon is a timeless story of bravery and honor. In the narrative, a menacing dragon wreaks havoc on a kingdom, demanding sacrifices of animals and, eventually, people. When the princess is selected as the next victim, St. George appears, battles the dragon, and triumphs, rescuing both the princess and the kingdom. His courageous and selfless act has cemented St. George as a symbol of valor and earned him admiration in numerous cultures. Saint George's Day is celebrated on April 23rd and for that occasion Casa Batlló is adorned with roses.
Visiting Casa Batlló
Like La Pedrera, currently Casa Batlló offers four different visit types:
The "General Visit" is self-guided with a free audio guide and includes the rooftop and The Cube, a 360-degree audiovisual show. (1.25 hours)
The "Intimate Night Visit" is a small group self-guided tour with an audio guide. It includes a welcome glass of cava, but it does not include visits to the rooftop or The Cube. (1 hour)
The “Magical Nights Visit + Concert" is a self-guided evening tour with an audio guide. It includes a concert on the rooftop and a welcome glass of cava. It does not include The Cube. (2 hours)
Lastly, they offer a “Be the First” morning visit before their normal opening time. This is also self-guided with an audio guide and includes both the rooftop and The Cube. (1.25 hours)
The website is the best place to find more details and to buy your tickets. You’ll want to check it out and read more to decide which of their offerings is the best fit for you. All visits are completely wheelchair accessible.
Gaudí's First Major Project
Casa Vicens is another one of Gaudí's works in Barcelona. It was his first major architectural project. It's a stunning example of his early work, designed between 1883 and 1885. The house was originally a summer residence for the Vicens family and stands out for its vibrant ceramic tile work, Moorish-inspired details, and unique use of color and ornamentation. The design of this house is an interesting blend of Moorish, Oriental, and neoclassical architecture. The facade is decorated with colorful ceramic tiles and intricate brickwork. Inside you'll see original furniture and decorative elements designed by Gaudí, showcasing his distinctive style. The house underwent several renovations over the years, but a recent restoration project aimed to return it to its original design, revealing hidden colors and details.
Visiting Casa Vicens
There are four types of visits to choose from as follows:
The "Standard Visit" includes access to the main rooms and exhibitions showcasing the history and architecture of the house. (1 hour)
The "Guided Tour" is led by a knowledgeable guide who provides detailed insights into Gaudí’s design and the history of Casa Vicens. (1.5 hours)
The "Family Tour" includes interactive elements and activities designed for families with children, making the visit engaging for all ages. (1.5 hours)
And there's a "Virtual Tour" which allows exploration of the house from home, with interactive elements and 360-degree views. (about 1 hour)
All visits typically include access to the gardens, which provide a serene environment and showcase Gaudí’s integration of natural elements into his design. Casa Vicens is wheelchair accessible. The site has made accommodations to ensure that visitors with limited mobility can enjoy it, including accessible entrances and facilities. However, due to the historical nature of the building, some areas might still present challenges.You'll want to spend some time at their website finding out more and to buy tickets.
Another Beautiful Gaudí Mansion
Palau Güell is a remarkable mansion designed by Gaudí. Completed between 1886 and 1890, it was commissioned by Eusebi Güell for his family. This early Gaudí work is known for its innovative use of space and materials, featuring richly decorated interiors and an impressive rooftop with colorful chimneys. The architectural design combines Neo-Gothic and Modernist elements. Inside you'll see ornate furnishings, intricate woodwork, and stained-glass windows. The rooftop features unique chimneys with vibrant ceramic mosaics and offers panoramic views of the city.
Visiting Palau Güell
There are three ways to see this mansion.
The "Standard Visit" is a self-guided access to the main areas of the mansion, including the grand hall, various rooms, and the rooftop. (1 hour)
The "General Visit" includes an audio guide that provides in-depth information about the building’s features and Gaudí’s design philosophy. (1 to 1.5 hours)
The "Secret Palau Güell" gives access to hidden spaces at the museum, which are usually closed to the public. This tour is available every second Saturday of the month, except for August. It's not available for children under ten or people with reduced mobility. (1.5 hours)
The Güell Palace offers guided tours every Saturday at 10.30 in Spanish, at 12.00 in Catalan and at 15.30 in English, and every Sunday at 10.30 in Catalan, 12.00 in Spanish and 15.30 in French.
All visits typically include access to the beautifully restored interiors and the rooftop, where you can appreciate Gaudí’s early work and enjoy views of Barcelona. The rooftop and courtyard may be closed to the public on windy days. For more information and to purchase tickets head to their website.
Crypt Güell
The Cripta de la Colonia Güell (AKA Crypt Güell) is a fascinating church designed by Antoni Gaudí, located in Colonia Güell, a small town about 20 km southwest of Barcelona. It’s part of a modernist industrial colony that Eusebi Güell established for his workers. The crypt is a stunning example of Gaudí’s early work on his iconic Sagrada Família design and showcases his unique architectural style with incredible attention to detail. The crypt is supposed to evoke the feeling of being in a forest, with roughly hewn columns meant to look like tree trunks, a dark floor that's meant to resemble the forest floor, and shadows of the columns perforated by colorful light from the stained-glass windows. It will remind you of the Sagrada Familia in some ways.
How to Go
To get there from Barcelona, you can take a train from Plaça Espanya to the Colonia Güell station, which takes about 22 minutes. This does not include time waiting for the train which has a variable schedule; about every twenty minutes. From the train station, it’s a short walk to the visitor center and then to the crypt. The tour is self-guided with an audio guide, or you can pay a little more for a guided tour (available only in Spanish and Catalán). With the travel time, you should plan about three hours for the visit and there are a few restaurant options there in case you get hungry. Of, course, you'll need more time if you sit down for a meal. Head to this website for more information and to purchase tickets.
To sum things up, the Gaudí architecture in and around Barcelona is very special and helps to make Barcelona a unique and wonderful place to visit. It's no wonder so many tourists go there. In 2023, twenty-six million people visited Barcelona, and we hope they got to see some or all of the seven Gaudí wonders included in this piece. The photos just don't do them justice. You really should have this on your bucket list.
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