Must-Visit Gaudí Buildings in Barcelona

Perhaps the most famous of all Gaudí’s designs, the Sagrada Família is a Roman Catholic basilica which has been under construction since 1882. Gaudí was well aware that he would not be around to see its completion but left plans to guide future architects and masons. This exceptional oeuvre will boast three grand facades, some 18 spires and a myriad of symbolic architectural details referencing the Christian faith.

This outstanding townhouse located on the prestigious Passeig de Gràcia was purchased by the Batlló family in 1900. Unhappy with its appearance, they soon commissioned Antoni Gaudí to redesign the facade and interior, expanding the central light well to brighten the rooms. This redesign gave the building its astounding exterior which earned it the local nickname ‘Casa dels Ossos’ or ‘House of Bones’ due to its skeletal appearance.

One of the most stunning green spaces in Barcelona, the Park Güell was never intended as a park at all. The original plan designed by Gaudí and his patron at the time Eusebi Güell was to construct a modern housing estate modelled on the British garden cities. After building the market space, public arena and guard’s house they opened a model home to the public but never received any interest. Eventually the plans were dropped and Gaudí moved in to the home where he remained until his death in 1926.

Another of Gaudí’s buildings to be best known by its nickname, Casa Milà or ‘La Pedrera’ is a somewhat austere looking construction on the Passeig de Gràcia. Its nickname means ‘the Open Quarry’ and is a reference to the combination of stone and metal, giving it a rough appearance which was controversial at the time of opening. This was the last private residence to be designed by Antoni Gaudí and was completed in 1906.

This exuberant townhouse has the honour of being the first private residence designed by Gaudí and as such is a seminal design in the history of Catalan architecture. While Gaudí is mostly associated with the Catalan Modernist movement, he borrowed influences from a variety of sources and in Casa Vicens the most obvious influence is the Neo-Mudéjar style. Geometric patterns, horse-shoe arches and ornamental brickwork all feature prominently in this remarkable design.

The Güell Pavilions were a complex of buildings owned by Eusebi Güell and his family in the neighbourhood of Pedralbes on the outskirts of Barcelona. Güell commissioned Gaudí to renovate the design of the main house as well as a gated perimeter wall and garden. As always in Gaudí’s work, there are many symbols and historic references in the design, including the dragon-like gate which represents the dragon Ladon from Greek mythology.

The Teresian College is one of Gaudí’s earliest works and can be attributed to his neo-Gothic period, inspired by Medieval Gothic architecture of Catalonia, the Balearics and Roussillon in particular. Gaudí inherited the design of the building from another architect, Joan Baptista Pons i Trabal, but kept little of the original design except the principle that the completed building should reflect a certain austerity – in keeping with the wishes of the Teresian order.

Of all of Gaudí’s designs, the Casa Calvet is most remarkable for its relatively conventional appearance – making it rather unusual for a Gaudí building. Squeezed between pre-existing buildings in the Eixample neighbourhood, the facade displays a symmetry unlike what is found in many of Gaudí’s more notable works. Yet, upon closer inspection, the design still includes some Modernist features and the mark of its master.

This historic monument stands on the site of the castle of King Aragon built in the 15th century, which fell into disrepair when the king died without an heir. Acquired by the Figueres family in 1900, all that remained of the castle was a few walls. Gaudí was commissioned to rebuild the Bellesguard house and felt the need to stay true to the history of the site by drawing inspiration from a Medieval castle while adding his own touches such as neo-Gothic features and a reflection of natural themes.

Located just a few metres from La Rambla in the El Raval neighbourhood of Barcelona, the Palau Güell is a magnificent townhouse which belonged to the Güell family. Eusebi Güell commissioned Gaudí to design a modern townhouse destined to entertain members of high-society. The building includes features such as hidden windows to enable hosts to see their guests upon arrival to ensure they were appropriately dressed for the occasion.