No matter whether you’ve been to Barcelona or not, you’re very likely to be familiar with some of Gaudí’s masterpieces. Who has not heard of Sagrada Familia or La Pedrera? At Hostemplo, today we want to go for a walk through 9 of his wonders. In all of them, we will be able to clearly see Antonio Gaudí’s three passions: architecture, nature and religion. All three combined with his most characteristic elements: wood, wrought iron, ceramic and stained glass. Ready? Wear comfortable shoes as we are going on a tour to discover Gaudí’s gems; we will explain them from least known to mainstream.

1. CASA CALVET:

Casa Calvet, Gaudí Barcelona

Casa Calvet – Photo from commons.wikimedia.org

This early gem of Gaudí is built with stone from Montjuïc, a classic in many buildings from that period in Barcelona. Although still a pretty conservative work, we can already discern some evident marks of the master: wrought iron balconies and curved façade; elements that shall be improved by the architect with the time. Nowadays, Casa Calvet hosts a worth visiting restaurant on the first floor; if you go inside, you will be able to see some of Gaudí’s gestures towards Pere Màrtir Calvet, a sign of his religious devotion.

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2. CASA VICENS:

Casa Vicens, monumentos Gaudí Barcelona

Casa Vicens – Photo from catalunyapresenta.org

Following with the least popular ones, now it is time to talks about Casa Vicens, which according to the experts, was really Gaudí’s first great work. There are no tours available to visit the inside of Casa Vicens, but you can visit the façade and clearly see the green and white tiles with wrought iron ornaments shaping nature figures, one of the main characteristics of Gaudí’s modernism.

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3. COLONIA GÜELL:

Colonia Güell, arquitectura Gaudí

Colonia Güell – Photo from gaudicoloniaguell.org

In contrast to most of the industrial colonies at the time – we are talking about end of 1800 – the employer at Colonia Güell, Eusebi Güell, decided to offer his employees the best living conditions. Therefore, he commissioned Antonio Gaudí for this work – among many others -. At Colonia Güell, we find religious and cultural constructions built following the purest modernist and colorist style of Gaudí. This colony, in Santa Coloma de Cervelló, is an ideal spot to see the architectonic inspirations that helped Gaudí create projects like the Sagrada Familia later.

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4. PALAU GÜELL:

Palau Güell, Arquitectura de Gaudí, Barcelona

Palau Güell – Photo from Montserrat Baldomà

A perfect combination between the former opulence and the most stylized modernism. The Palau Güell will make you experience in first person the modernist Barcelona; you will easily imagine yourself on a horse carriage arriving for an audience with Mr. Güell, Gaudí’s main patron. When entering the house, the amount of colors and details, as well as the vaults and the spacious rooms will fascinate you.

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5. FINCA GÜELL:

Finca Güell, arquitectura Barcelona. Gaudí.

Finca Güell – Photo from barcelonaturisme.com

From 1884 to 1887, Eusebi Güell – again – commissioned Antoni Gaudí for the construccion and refitting of his properties. This time, the architect was in charge of the gardens and building huts for the country house and property. Combining Asian designs and Mudejar influence, Finca Güell stands out for its colorful tiles and molten iron structures, innovative for that time being. However, the most remarkable element is the legendary dragon acting as the entrance guardian (the one you can see in detail on the picture).
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6. PARK GÜELL:

Parc Güell, Barcelona. Gaudí

Park Güell – Photo frombarcelonando.com

Park Güell is clearly one of the icons of Barcelona. Located in the higher part of the city, in the Horta Guinardó district, it offers an impressive sight of the city and recurring postcards of Barcelona. The entrance is free; except for the part where the mosaic and the iconic dragon sculpture are, that you have to pay. The ticket is only 8 € and it is definitely worth it. The park belongs to Gaudí’s naturalist phase and is one of the most remarkable must visit! in town.

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7. CASA BATLLÓ:

Arquitectura de Barcelona, Casa Batlló. Gaudí, Barcelona.

Casa Batlló – Photo from shbarcelona.es

The first time you enter Casa Batlló you are taken to a new dimension… Is it the mosaics, the tiles or the flawless decorations of the house? It is with no doubt, the combination itself. This house, located right in the city center– Paseo de Gracia- has ovular windows and nature motifs everywhere. That’s not all, though; the façade, with colorful balconies and whimsical air, makes the locals name it ‘house of bones’ or of ‘masks’; just another must visit! of Gaudí in Barcelona. Have a look at all the events taking place there, you’ll be surprised!

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8. LA PEDRERA:

La Pedrera, Gaudí. Barcelona

La Pedrera – Photo from pasaporteblog.com

The Casa Milà, popularly known as ‘La Pedrera’ (the stone quarry), is a peculiar building constructed between 1906 and 1912 and was declared UNESCO World Heritage in 1984. The building is currently the headquearters of the Catalunya-La Pedrera Foundation and hosts a relevant reference cultural center in Barcelona thanks to the activity portfolio organized, as well as the various museums and public spaces that it hosts.
La Pedrera is a forum that irradiates creation and knowledge, a great continent full of content, playing also a committed key role in the society’s transformation.
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9. SAGRADA FAMILIA:

Sagrada Familia, Gaudí. Barcelona

Sagrada Familia – Photo Instagram, @basilicasagradafamilia

There is not much we can tell you about the Sagrada Familia that you might not have read yet. Nevertheless, we will later dedicate a whole post to the masterpiece. We will now focus on the present time. There have already been 5 generations witnessing the evolution of the Sagrada Familia. Nowadays, it is still being built, and it might be finished by the first third of the XXI century.
The main works now and in the forthcoming years are based on the construction of the first sacristy and central towers: over the transept vaults and the apse of Jesus Christ’s tower, crowned with a cross at a height of 170 meter; around it, the four evangelists towers and the apse tower, dedicated to Virgin Mary. The temple will be complete with the construction of the main façade, the Glory façade.
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Did you like our tour? Don’t forget to wear comfortable shoes and have a good rest. Remember, if you are looking for accommodation in Barcelona, we’re your first choice! And also, if you book through our web, you’ll get FREE breakfast for your first night. What are you waiting for?