GAUDÍ AND MODERNISM
Catalan Modernism was an artistic movement which appeared at the
end of the XIX century and beginning of the XX, characterized by
an enormous creativity and a very peculiar use of ornamental
elements like iron, ceramic, stone and tile work.
The most representative architect of this time was Antoni
Gaudí. With a limitless imagination beyond his time, his work is
simply brilliant. Also the work of Doménech i Montaner, Puig i
Cadafalch and other contemporary architects are outstanding.
THE TEMPLE OF SAGRADA FAMILIA
This magnificent religious temple, Gaudí´s major creation, is
under construction since 1882 and its silhouette of eight majestic
towers is characteristic.
It is worthwhile to stop and appreciate the artwork of the
Nativity Façade and the enormous dramatic power of the Passion
Façade.
The church, once concluded will offer three monumental façades
dedicated to the birth, passion and glory of Christ, together with
a huge central tower.
The whole construction is so monumental that it is almost
impossible to describe.
EL PARQUE GÜELL
The original project consisted in the construction of a
residential area of private houses surrounded by a natural
environment. This dream and unfinished park represents the whole
creative genius of Gaudí, whose objective was to integrate an
architectural space totally in harmony with nature.
 Between
1900 and 1914 the entrance pavilions, the covered columned square
with a terrace over it forming a great open court, communication
paths and only two houses, one of them dedicated to a museum were
built, before the project was abandoned and recovered later as a
public park.
Two beautiful pavilions decorated with tile mosaics form the
entrance to the park, together with a spectacular gate, all
presenting an enchanted picture.
A central stairway leads to a giant dragon decorated with
polychrome mosaic which has become one of the city symbols.
The stair continues to a covered hall named the hundred Columns
(86 in fact) sustaining a terrace delimited by an endless bench
decorated with a collage of coloured tiles and from where a
beautiful panoramic of the city can be seen.
One of the two houses is dedicated to museum
MILA HOUSE “La Pedrera”
Popularly known as The Quarry and located in the Passeig de
Gràcia, a beautiful and elegant avenue, it is considered one of
the most original buildings in the city.
Built between 1905 and 1910, its design is inspired by nature
with an undulant façade and original decorated balconies.
It is interesting to visit the upper floor, decorated like a
noble apartment of Gaudí´s time, a hundred years ago.
A visual exhibition with scale models of different Gaudí works
can be visited.
The terrace is spectacular with original chimneys decorated as
imaginative sculptures.
Not far from La Pedrera, the Passeig of Gràcia offers other
prominent buildings.
BATLLO, AMETLLER AND LLEO MORERA HOUSES
These three houses, Gaudí´s Casa Batlló, Casa Ametller of Doménech i
Montaner and lleó Morera House of Puig i Cadafalch where built during
the first decade of the XX century and represent different styles of
Catalan modernism.
OTHER MODERNIST TREASURES
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BARCELONA
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