Works of Antoni Gaud

World Heritage Site Pictures: Works of Antoni Gaud

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Photograph by Quique Garcia, Getty Images

La Sagrada Famlia

A dream of spires and ornate facades rising hundreds of feet above downtown Barcelona, Antoni
Gauds fanciful Sagrada Famlia draws some three million visitors a year. Under construction since
1882, its now nearing completion.
Site: Works of Antoni Gaud
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Year Designated: 1984
Category: Cultural
Criteria: (i)(ii)(iv)
Reason: The Catalan Modernism so important to the cultural identity of Barcelona finds perhaps its
greatest expression in the works of one man.
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Seven distinct properties built in and around Barcelona offer many different delights but represent
the singular vision of one manarchitect Antoni Gaud.
Gaud's creative geniusand the curves, shapes, and ornamentations it producedliterally changed
the face of architecture and building technology during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Gaud
recognized the formal order inherent in most architecture before his timeand deliberately turned it
upside down. As a result his buildings seem strikingly unique and almost surreal even after a
century.
Gaud's efforts included not only building design but also decorative style and overall settings; his
touch was applied to everything from sculpture to gardens. As UNESCO noted in its criteria for
listing the sites: Gaud's work exhibits an important interchange of values closely associated with
the cultural and artistic currents of his time, as represented in Catalonian Modernism (a
contemporary movement akin to Art Nouveau). It anticipated and influenced many of the forms and
techniques that were relevant to the development of modern construction in the 20th century.
The Casa Batll is a renovation, not an original construction, yet one accomplished with such style
and skill that it has become one of Gaud's best known projects. Notable here is how the shapely,
strange building was washed in color with an extensive facade of ceramics and mosaics.
The Parc Gell is not a building but a green oasis in the midst of the city. Yet Gaud's distinctive
style is seen throughout, from the benches to the porticoes, and lends the entire space an almost
magical air.
The Casa Mil, also known as La Pedrera (The Quarry), is awash with balconies both on the
exterior and surrounding the interior atrium. All have sensual curved lines, echoed throughout the
building, that seem to mimic living structuresa theme seen in many Gaud works.
Gaud also left his mark on perhaps Barcelonas most famous landmark: La Sagrada Familia
Cathedral.
Gaud wasnt the buildings original architecthe took over from Francisco de Paula after his death
in 1883. Nor was he its last; work on the building continues to this day. Nonetheless, Gaud's

distinctive style can be seen in his completion of the chapel of San Jos, the crypt, and the door of
El Nacimiento.
Visitors to the cathedral and other UNESCO-recognized Gaud properties, whether they know the
architect or not, instantly recognize a unique style that has come to characterize Modernist
Barcelona and symbolize the city to the present day.
How to Get There
Barcelona is a major urban center and the full gamut of public and private transportation options are
available for visitors.
When to Visit
Barcelona retains its considerable charms 12 months a year. As in many European cities, August can
be hot and crowded. Late spring (April to May) and fall (October and November) tend to be the
rainier months.
How to Visit
Its certainly possible to explore the works of Gaud independently and in fact somelike La
Sagrada Familiawill be seen by almost all visitors to Barcelona. But aficionados should consider
one of the many Gaud tours on offer. Many guides are full of fascinating Gaud knowledge and
may even be able to gain access to private areas.