Antoni Gaudí, the architect of nature

The spirit of Catalan modernism is fully expressed in a single oeuvre: the work of Gaudí. Gaudí was not just a master of a style – he was the style itself. His unique form, deep religiousness, organic inspirations from nature, and engineering genius created an architectural language that is unparalleled in Europe and has become forever associated with Barcelona.

For Gaudí, nature was his greatest teacher: he observed the growth of trees, the structure of honeycombs, the shapes of mountains, and incorporated all this into the statics and aesthetics of his buildings. He was well ahead of his time in applying the principle of sustainability. He was also a deeply religious man, often endowing his works with spiritual meaning.

Let's first look at Gaudí's most famous works!

The first thing that comes to mind for everyone is the Sagrada Família. The famous, still unfinished basilica is Gaudí's masterpiece and one of the most famous sacred buildings in the world. He dedicated the last 15 years of his life to it. The combination of natural forms, biblical symbolism and the play of light makes it monumentally impressive.

The three facades of the church - Nativity, Passion and Glory - symbolize the most important stages in the life of Christ.

Inside, the huge, nature-inspired columns are like a stone forest. Gaudí designed them to branch out like trees – not only beautiful, but also statically perfect.

Gaudí believed that light is God's greatest gift, so the interior is almost bathed in color. On the east side there are cool, blue-green windows - this is the sunrise - on the west side there are warm, red-orange shades: the sunset. Depending on the current position of the sun, which color scheme dominates the church.

Interestingly, the highest tower of the Sagrada Família is also lower than Montjuic (Barcelona's mountain), because according to Gaudi, man cannot build higher than what God created.

Thousands of tourists also visit Parc Güell.

Originally designed as a residential park, it eventually became known as a public park. The mosaic benches, lizard-shaped fountain, undulating lines and organic forms embody modernist freedom.

Casa Batllo, also known as the “House of Bones”, is well-known: this beautiful building has an undulating facade, and the interplay of colored glass and tiles creates a fairy-tale effect. The roof resembles the back of a dragon - according to legend, Saint George, the patron saint of Catalonia, triumphs over evil.

Finally, we must mention Casa Mila (La Pedrera). It is already clear from the stone facade that there is not a single straight wall in the building, and its organic floor plan and futuristic roof decorations amazed the public at the time. The name refers to the fact that the house - similar to a mine - has no straight wall surfaces, and raw cement is one of the main decorative materials, in addition to the usual ceramics. The special thing about the building is that it is still inhabited today, the apartments can be rented, of course at a very high price. In the evenings there is a special light show on the roof terrace, and they offer cava (this is a local sparkling wine, definitely worth tasting).

Today it is one of the most visited Gaudí buildings and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

However, there are other, lesser-known Gaudí buildings in Barcelona.

For example, Casa Vicens. This was Gaudí's first serious commission, for a wealthy citizen. The Arabic and oriental ornamentation, colorful ceramics and lattice decorations make it special. Today it operates as a museum and you can clearly see Gaudí's developing personality. This is one of my personal favorites.

Palau Güell is also worth taking the time to visit. Located in the city centre, at the very edge of Raval, very close to La Rambla, the palace represents Gaudí’s early years. The house was commissioned by Eusebi Güell, one of Gaudí’s most important patrons. The building’s sophisticated interiors, starry domes and wrought iron gates are testament to Gaudí’s craftsmanship. The colourful chimneys on the roof foreshadow his later iconic forms.

Bellesguard is one of Gaudí's most historically inspired works. It combines the design of a medieval castle with Catalan Gothic. The building stands on a hill with beautiful views of Barcelona.

Finally, Colonia Güell is a church built for a textile colony on the outskirts of Barcelona. Here, Gaudí experimented with the technical and structural solutions he would later use in the Sagrada Familia. The natural stone, the slanted columns, arches and window shapes create an exceptional spatial experience.

What characterizes Gaudí's buildings, why are they so special?

Gaudí believed that nothing/nobody can create as perfect as nature, which never creates anything straight or square, so organic shapes, rounded corners, plant motifs and patterns inspired by various animals, such as reptiles and fish, are characteristic of his buildings, which can also be observed in Casa Batllo.

At the same time, it was very important to him that the buildings were functional; he also designed the door handles and furniture, making sure to create apartments that could be used comfortably.

He aimed to make the houses both beautiful and practical, and paid particular attention to natural light: he designed his buildings so that not only the upper floors were bright, but also the ground floor rooms could receive sunlight. He achieved this primarily through the good arrangement of glass surfaces.

Although this term did not exist in his time, he still strived for sustainability. He often used salvaged tiles and other used building materials, and the houses themselves, in terms of their internal layout, are very space-saving, often with a single room being multifunctional and usable in multiple ways. Good ventilation and the creation of a healthy living environment were also important to him.

Although Gaudí did not always receive the recognition he deserved during his lifetime – he was often ridiculed and his work was controversial – several of his buildings have now been declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. His art remains a living inspiration for those who believe in sustainable, nature-friendly architecture. After his death, he became a legend.

Catalan modernism may have reached its peak with him – but he was not alone. Montaner, Puig i Cadafalch and their contemporaries worked together to build the city that the world now knows as Gaudí's Barcelona.