Attractions

  • Casa Milà

    Address:
    Passeig de Gràcia, 92, 08008 Barcelona, Spain .

    Casa Milà (Catalan pronunciation: [ˈkazə miˈla], Spanish pronunciation: [ˈkasa miˈla]), popularly known as La Pedrera (pronounced [ɫə pəˈðɾeɾə]) or "The stone quarry", a reference to its unconventional rough-hewn appearance, is a modernist building in BarcelonaCataloniaSpain. It was the last private residence designed by architect Antoni Gaudí and was built between 1906 and 1912.

    The building was commissioned in 1906 by Pere Milà [caes] and his wife Roser Segimon [caes]. At the time, it was controversial because of its undulating stone facade, twisting wrought iron balconies and designed by Josep Maria Jujol. Several structural innovations include a self-supporting stone façade, and a free-plan floor, underground garage and the spectacular terrace on the roof.

    In 1984, it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Since 2013 it has been the headquarters of the Fundació Catalunya La Pedrera [caes]which manages the visit to the building,[1] exhibitions and other cultural and educative activities at Casa Milà.

  • Casa Batlló

    Address:
    Passeig de Gràcia, 43, 08007 Barcelona, Spain .

    Casa Batlló (Catalan pronunciation: [ˈkazə βəˈʎːo]) is a building in the center of Barcelona. It was designed by Antoni Gaudí, and is considered one of his masterpieces. A remodel of a previously built house, it was redesigned in 1904 by Gaudí and has been refurbished several times after that. Gaudí's assistants Domènec Sugrañes i Gras, Josep Canaleta and Joan Rubió also contributed to the renovation project.

    The local name for the building is Casa dels ossos (House of Bones), as it has a visceralskeletal organic quality. It is located on the Passeig de Gràcia in the Eixample district, and forms part of a row of houses known as the Illa de la Discòrdia (or Mansana de la Discòrdia, the "Block of Discord"), which consists of four buildings by noted Modernista architects of Barcelona.[1]

    Like everything Gaudí designed, Casa Batlló is only identifiable as Modernisme or Art Nouveau in the broadest sense. The ground floor, in particular, has unusual tracery, irregular oval windows and flowing sculpted stone work. There are few straight lines, and much of the façade is decorated with a colorful mosaic made of broken ceramic tiles (trencadís). The roof is arched and was likened to the back of a dragon or dinosaur. A common theory about the building is that the rounded feature to the left of centre, terminating at the top in a turret and cross, represents the lance of Saint George(patron saint of Catalonia, Gaudí's home), which has been plunged into the back of the dragon.

    In 2005, Casa Batlló became an UNESCO World Heritage Site among the other Works of Antoni Gaudí, and is visited by people from around the world.

  • Palau Robert

    Address:
    Passeig de Gràcia, 107, 08008 Barcelona, Spain .

    Palau Robert (Catalan pronunciation: [pəˈlaw ruˈβɛɾt]) is a building on Barcelona's Passeig de Gràcia 107, the former private residence of Robert Robert i Surís, an influential aristocrat, politician and businessman at the turn of the 20th century. It's now a government-run institution that hosts an exhibition centre with three halls, a concert hall, a public swimming pool and gardens as well as the Information Centre for Catalonia, including the city's tourism bureau. In the 1936–1939 period, it was the site of the Generalitat de Catalunya's Ministry of Culture. After the Spanish Civil War, Robert's family regained the Palau, until its second purchase by the Generalitat de Catalunya (the Catalan government) in 1981, when it became a public building.

  • Sagrada Família

    Address:
    Carrer de Mallorca, 401, 08013 Barcelona, Spain .

    The Basílica de la Sagrada Família (Catalan[bəˈzilikə ðə lə səˈɣɾaðə fəˈmiljə]SpanishBasílica de la Sagrada Familia; 'Basilica of the Holy Family'),[4]also known as the Sagrada Família, is a large unfinished Roman Catholic minor basilica in the Eixample district of BarcelonaCataloniaSpain. Designed by the Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí (1852–1926), his work on the building is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.[5] On 7 November 2010, Pope Benedict XVI consecrated the church and proclaimed it a minor basilica.[6][7][8]

    On 19 March 1882, construction of the Sagrada Família began under architect Francisco de Paula del Villar. In 1883, when Villar resigned,[5] Gaudí took over as chief architect, transforming the project with his architectural and engineering style, combining Gothic and curvilinear Art Nouveau forms. Gaudí devoted the remainder of his life to the project, and he is buried in the crypt. At the time of his death in 1926, less than a quarter of the project was complete.[9]

    Relying solely on private donations, the Sagrada Família's construction progressed slowly and was interrupted by the Spanish Civil War. In July 1936, revolutionaries set fire to the crypt and broke their way into the workshop, partially destroying Gaudí's original plans, drawings and plaster models, which led to 16 years of work to piece together the fragments of the master model.[10] Construction resumed to intermittent progress in the 1950s. Advancements in technologies such as computer aided design and computerised numerical control (CNC) have since enabled faster progress and construction passed the midpoint in 2010. However, some of the project's greatest challenges remain, including the construction of ten more spires, each symbolising an important Biblical figure in the New Testament.[9] It was anticipated that the building would be completed by 2026, the centenary of Gaudí's death [11] but this has now been delayed due to the Coronavirus pandemic. [12]

    The basilica has a long history of splitting opinion among the residents of Barcelona: over the initial possibility it might compete with Barcelona's cathedral, over Gaudí's design itself, over the possibility that work after Gaudí's death disregarded his design,[13] and the 2007 proposal to build a tunnel nearby as part of Spain's high-speed rail link to France, possibly disturbing its stability.[14] Describing the Sagrada Família, art critic Rainer Zerbst said "it is probably impossible to find a church building anything like it in the entire history of art",[15] and Paul Goldberger describes it as "the most extraordinary personal interpretation of Gothic architecture since the Middle Ages".[16] The basilica is not the cathedral church of the Archdiocese of Barcelona, as that title belongs to the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia.

  • Casa Amatller

    Address:
    Passeig de Gràcia, 41, 08007 Barcelona, Spain .

    Casa Amatller (Catalan pronunciation: [ˈkazə əməˈʎːe]) is a building in the Modernisme style in Barcelona, designed by Josep Puig i Cadafalch. Along with Casa Batlló and Casa Lleó-Morera, it makes up the three most important buildings in Barcelona's famous Illa de la Discòrdia ("Block of Discord"), noted for its unique modernist buildings.

    The building was originally designed as a residence for chocolatier Antoni Amatller and was constructed between 1898 and 1900.

  • Casa Vicens

    Address:
    Carrer de les Carolines, 20-26, 08012 Barcelona, Spain .

    Casa Vicens (Catalan pronunciation: [ˈkazə βiˈsɛns]) is a house in Barcelona, designed by Antoni Gaudí, now a museum. It is located in the neighbourhood of Gràcia on Carrer de les Carolines, 20-26. It is considered one of the first buildings of Art Nouveau and was the first house designed by Gaudí.

    The style of Casa Vicens is a reflection of Neo-Mudéjar architecture, one of the popular styles that can be seen throughout Gaudí's architecture, including oriental and neoclassical as well. However, what was unique about Gaudí was that he mixed different styles together and incorporated a variety of different materials, such as iron, glass, ceramic tiles and concrete, many of which can be seen in this building. Gaudí broke away from tradition and created his new language of architecture, and Casa Vicens represents a new chapter in the history of Catalan architecture as well as the beginning of a successful career for Gaudí.

    In 1883, Gaudí received the commission from Manuel Vicens i Montaner for the completion of a summer residence. In February 1883, Manuel Vicens requested permission from the City Council of Vila de Gràcia to build a summer house on Calle Sant Gervasi 26 (currently Carolines 20-26). A month earlier he had requested permission to demolish the house he had inherited from his mother, Rosa Montaner given the poor state of conservation of the same.

    Although Mr. Manuel Vicens remains a quite unknown character, his will mentions his profession: brokerage and exchange, which would mean that he alleged his connection with ceramics and that he would be reinforced by the inventory of 1885 of the ceramic factory Pujol i Bausis that is conserved in the Municipal Archive of Esplugues de Llobregat, there is documented Mr. Manuel Vicens i Montaner, of Gracia, as a debtor of 1,440 

    This early work exhibits several influences, most notably the Moorish (or Mudéjar) influence. Casa Vicens marks the first time Gaudí utilized an orientalist style, mixing together Hispano-Arabic inspiration. This was a style of architecture that completely breaks with the norm of the period. Not only does this house mark Gaudí's coming of age, being his first major work of architecture, but it also represents the flowering of Catalan modern architecture.

  • La Catedral

    Address:
    Barcelona Cathedral, Pla de la Seu, s/n, 08002 Barcelona, Spain .

    The Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia (CatalanCatedral de la Santa Creu i Santa Eulàlia), also known as Barcelona Cathedral, is the Gothic cathedral and seat of the Archbishop of BarcelonaCataloniaSpain.[1] The cathedral was constructed from the thirteenth to fifteenth centuries, with the principal work done in the fourteenth century. The cloister, which encloses the Well of the Geese (Font de les Oques) was completed in 1448.[2]In the late nineteenth century, the neo-Gothic façade was constructed over the nondescript exterior that was common to Catalan churches.[3] The roof is notable for its gargoyles, featuring a wide range of animals, both domestic and mythical.

    Its form is pseudo-basilica, vaulted over five aisles, the outer two divided into chapels. The transept is truncated. The east end is a chevet of nine radiating chapels connected by an ambulatory. The high altar is raised, allowing a clear view into the crypt.

     

    View of the cathedral interior

    The cathedral is dedicated to Eulalia of Barcelona, co-patron saint of Barcelona, a young virgin who, according to Catholic tradition, suffered martyrdom during Roman times in the city. One story says that she was exposed naked in the public square and a miraculous snowfall in mid-spring covered her nudity. The enraged Romans put her into a barrel with knives stuck into it and rolled it down a street (according to tradition, the one now called Baixada de Santa Eulàlia). The body of Saint Eulalia is entombed in the cathedral's crypt.

    The choir stalls retain the coats-of-arms of the knights of the Order of the Golden Fleece. In his first trip into Spain, Charles, the future Holy Roman Emperor, selected Barcelona as the site of a chapter of his Order. The king had arrived for his investiture as Count of Barcelona, and the city, as a Mediterranean port, offered the closest communication with other far-flung Habsburg dominions, while the large proportions of the cathedral would accommodate required grand ceremonies. In 1518 the Order's herald, Thomas Isaac, and its treasurer, Jean Micault, were commissioned to prepare the sanctuary for the first sitting of the chapter in 1519. Juan de Borgonya executed the painted decoration of the sanctuary.

    "The church was named after Barcelona's patron saint Eulalia; its official name - Catedral de la Santa Creu i Santa Eulalia - is Catalan for "Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia". The commonly used name La Seu refers to the status of the church as the seat of the diocese."

    The side Chapel of the Holy Sacrament and of the Holy Christ of Lepanto contains a cross said to date from the time of the Battle of Lepanto (1571).[4]

    In addition to Saints Eulàlia and Olegarius, the cathedral contains the tombs of Saint Raymond of Penyafort, Count Ramon Berenguer I and his third wife Almodis de la Marche, and bishops Berenguer de Palou IISalvador Casañas y Pagés, and Arnau de Gurb, who is buried in the Chapel of Santa Llúcia, which he had constructed.

    The cathedral has a secluded Gothic cloister where 13 white geese are kept, the number explained by the assertion that Eulalia was 13 when she was martyred

  • Palau de la Música Catalana

    Address:
    C/ Palau de la Música, 4-6, 08003 Barcelona, Spain .

    The Palau de la Música Catalana (Catalan pronunciation: [pəˈlaw ðə lə ˈmuzikə kətəˈlanə], English: Palace of Catalan Music) is a concert hall in BarcelonaCataloniaSpain. Designed in the Catalan modernista style by the architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner,[1] it was built between 1905 and 1908 for the Orfeó Català, a choral society founded in 1891 that was a leading force in the Catalan cultural movement that came to be known as the Renaixença (Catalan Rebirth).[2] It was inaugurated on 9 February 1908.

    The Orfeó Català primarily financed primarily the construction project, but important financial contributions also came from Barcelona's wealthy industrialists and bourgeoisie. The Palau won the architect an award from the Barcelona City Council in 1909, given to the best building built during the previous year. Between 1982 and 1989, the building underwent extensive restoration, remodeling, and extension under the direction of architects Oscar Tusquets and Carles Díaz.[3] In 1997, the Palau de la Música Catalana was declared[4] a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with Hospital de Sant Pau. Today, more than half a million people a year attend musical performances in the Palau that range from symphonic and chamber music to jazz and Cançó (Catalan song).

  • Palau Güell

    Address:
    Carrer Nou de la Rambla, 3-5, 08001 Barcelona, Spain .

    The Palau Güell (Catalan pronunciation: [pəˈlaw ˈɣweʎ], English: Güell Palace) is a mansion designed by the architect Antoni Gaudí for the industrial tycoon Eusebi Güell, and was built between 1886 and 1888. It is situated on the Carrer Nou de la Rambla, in the El Raval neighborhood of Barcelonain CataloniaSpain. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Works of Antoni Gaudí".

    The home is centered around the main room for entertaining high society guests. Guests entered the home in horse-drawn carriages through the front iron gates, which featured a parabolic arch and intricate patterns of forged ironwork resembling seaweed and in some parts a horsewhip. Animals could be taken down a ramp and kept in the livery stable in the basement where the servants resided, while the guests went up the stairs to the receiving room. The ornate walls and ceilings of the receiving room disguised small viewing windows high on the walls where the owners of the home could view their guests from the upper floor and get a "sneak peek" before greeting them, in case they needed to adjust their attire accordingly.

    The main party room has a tall ceiling with small holes near the top where lanterns were hung at night from the outside to give the appearance of a starlit sky.

    In 2004, visits by the public were completely suspended due to renovations; some of the stone used in the original construction was weak and had cracked over the years causing structural problems within the building. It is currently completely open, with all restoration work completed in April 2011.

  • Park Güell

    Address:
    Carrer d'Olot, 4, 08024 Barcelona, Spain .

    Parc Güell (CatalanParc Güell [ˈpaɾɡ ˈɡweʎ]SpanishParque Güell) is a public park system composed of gardens and architectural elements located on Carmel Hill, in BarcelonaCataloniaSpain. Carmel Hill belongs to the mountain range of Collserola – the Parc del Carmel is located on the northern face. Park Güell is located in La Salut, a neighborhood in the Gràcia district of Barcelona. With urbanization in mind, Eusebi Güellassigned the design of the park to Antoni Gaudí, a renowned architect and the face of Catalan modernism.

    The park was built from 1900 to 1914 and was officially opened as a public park in 1926. In 1984, UNESCO declared the park a World Heritage Siteunder

  • Fundació Antoni Tàpies

    Address:
    C/ d'Aragó, 255, 08007 Barcelona, Spain .

    The Fundació Antoni Tàpies (Catalan pronunciation: [fundəsiˈo ənˈtɔni ˈtapiəs], 'Antoni Tàpies Foundation') is a cultural center and museum, located in Carrer d'Aragó, in BarcelonaCatalonia. It is dedicated mainly to the life and works of the painter Antoni Tàpies.

    The Fundació was created in 1984 by the artist Antoni Tàpies to promote the study and knowledge of modern and contemporary art. It combines the organisation of temporary exhibitions, symposia, lectures and film seasons with a range of publications to go with the activities and periodic shows of Tàpies' work.

    The Fundació owns one of the most complete collections of Tàpies' work, mostly made up of donations by Antoni and Teresa Tàpies.

  • Casa de les Punxes

    Address:
    Avinguda Diagonal, 420, 08037 Barcelona, Spain .

    Designed by Modernista architect Josep Puig i Cadafalch, la Casa de les Punxes is located in the intersection of the three surrounding streets Avinguda Diagonal, Carrer Rosselló and Carrer Bruc, in the Eixample of Barcelona.

    In 1905, Bartomeu Terradas Brutau commissioned Josep Puig i Cadafalch to design a house for each of his three sisters, Angela, Josefa and Rosa. The result was a building reminiscent of old medieval castles, with elements of different architectural trends and various technical innovations, with six pointed towers (crowned by conical spikes), one of its distinctive features which gave the popular name of Casa de les Punxes.

    This spectacular building is one of the most emblematic of Barcelona, as well as being key to understanding the movement of Catalan Modernism. Declared a historical monument of National Interest in 1976, Casa de les Punxes is one of the most emblematic buildings in Barcelona. It is now privately owned, with space for different offices.

    La Casa de les Punxes, also known as Casa Terradas, underwent rehabilitation work in 2016 inside one of the buildings. These renovations were executed under the guidance of architect Jaume Falguera.

    It has always been a tourist attraction thanks to its façade and its location among other tourist spots of the city such as La Pedrera or La Sagrada Familia.

  • Museu Egipci de Barcelona

    Address:
    Carrer de València, 284, 08007 Barcelona, Spain .

    https://www.museuegipci.com