Gaudí’s Barcelona

Gaudí’s Barcelona
La Pedrera
At the start of the 20th century, Barcelona underwent a notable transformation into a modern, thriving, organized city that was suitable for the new Catalan bourgeoisie and which looked enthusiastically to its European neighbors with a desire to be seen as an equal. The architecture that lines the city’s wide streets is from the Modernism movement—visible in other European cities, but none of them quite like Barcelona, home to the movement’s greatest master, Antoni Gaudí (1852-1926).

The construction of buildings began—inspired by shapes from nature—appealing to an unusual sensuality and offering new ways of living. Gaudí, a leading artist of his time, shaped Modernism by devising a way to charm the city’s wealthy bourgeoisie families, creating fantastic places for them, such as La Pedrera and the magical Güell Park. However, his magnum opus is indisputably the Sagrada Familia church. Though he died before it was completed, he left behind instructions for everything from the tips of the towers to the candelabras on the altar. Incredible Gaudí. A truly special way to get to know Barcelona.