The unique Catalan architecture of Antoni Gaudi

There are certain buildings in and around Barcelona that have a unique and wonderful style, which almost look as if they should be made out of sugar and devoured alongside the cake from where they came. These thoroughly distinct architectural marvels are the buildings of Antoni Gaudi, the maverick Catalan architect.

In fact this legendary Spanish architect made buildings that were so fairytale and dream-like that if many more buildings in Barcelona had been designed by Antoni Gaudi, the city would have resembled a fantasy world unlike any other city in the world.

Casa Vicens is a remarkable residential building and was the first independent undertaking by Gaudi. The casa combines superb brickwork with unusual use of Valencian ceramic tile. Inside the building there is incredible wrought iron work and stunning wall paintings.

Gaudi was born in Reus near Barcelona in 1852 and died in a street accident in 1926. The majority of Gaudi’s work lifetime work was dedicated to the Sagrada Familia, which, even today, is still being finished.

The crypt of the Sagrada Familia was built from 1884-1889 and the nativity façade was finished in 1905. The astonishing bell towers that tower above the building were started the year before Gaudi died and were completed by closely associated architecture friends of Gaudi’s in 1930.

During his lifetime Gaudi was predominantly regarded as a modernist, which is an apt description of his work today, as much of his work would not look out of place next to the Sidney Opera House or the London Shard.

With Gaudi’s marvels such as the Casa de Mila, with it’s white tile upper section resembling a snow capped mountain, The Parc Guell, adorned with a fantastic dragon gate and the Casa Batllo, an urban residence in Barcelona, this artistically compelling Spanish city is certainly the place to begin sightseeing the works of one of the world’s most startling and innovative architects.