Barcelona
located at the Mediterranean sea in the very north of the Spanish coast, is certainly the most cosmopolitan and economically most active city in this country. It has always proved its will to be modern, to follow the latest international tendencies or be ahead of them. To the tourist this is evident specially in its architecture, which so well reflects the general approach to life in this always pulsating city. Of course, Barcelona has an old history, and there are monuments of Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance periods or still before, but most characteristic is what has been built during the last, say, 100 years. Barcelona has been a center of Modernist architecture and is distinguished specially by the works of genial Antoní Gaudí, who together with his great contemporaries gave new and exciting looks to it, but has remained since then at the top of modernity. Source: http://www.red2000.com
located at the Mediterranean sea in the very north of the Spanish coast, is certainly the most cosmopolitan and economically most active city in this country. It has always proved its will to be modern, to follow the latest international tendencies or be ahead of them. To the tourist this is evident specially in its architecture, which so well reflects the general approach to life in this always pulsating city. Of course, Barcelona has an old history, and there are monuments of Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance periods or still before, but most characteristic is what has been built during the last, say, 100 years. Barcelona has been a center of Modernist architecture and is distinguished specially by the works of genial Antoní Gaudí, who together with his great contemporaries gave new and exciting looks to it, but has remained since then at the top of modernity. Source: http://www.red2000.com
The Cathedral
one of the most beautiful Gothic buildings in Barcelona. It stands at the Pla de la Seu, almost in the centre of the Barri Gòtic, which directly borders to the famous Rambla. The construction of this imposing cathedral started in the 11th Century on the foundations of a basilica destroyed by the Moors in 985. The nave was built between 1298-1448. The construction of the neo-gothic facade was finished in 1890. The church houses 29 side chapels, 10 of which are located around the apse of the altar. In one chapel there is a supposedly miraculous crucifix. It is said to have helped defeat the Turks at the Battle of Lepanto. The church is about 83 metres long and 25 metres high. The Cathedral is dedicated to Santa Eulàlia martyr, the patron saint of Barcelona. She was tortured to death in the late Roman period. The body of Santa Eulàlia lies buried under the high altar. Her feast day is always celebrated on the 12th February. Source: https://barcelona.de
one of the most beautiful Gothic buildings in Barcelona. It stands at the Pla de la Seu, almost in the centre of the Barri Gòtic, which directly borders to the famous Rambla. The construction of this imposing cathedral started in the 11th Century on the foundations of a basilica destroyed by the Moors in 985. The nave was built between 1298-1448. The construction of the neo-gothic facade was finished in 1890. The church houses 29 side chapels, 10 of which are located around the apse of the altar. In one chapel there is a supposedly miraculous crucifix. It is said to have helped defeat the Turks at the Battle of Lepanto. The church is about 83 metres long and 25 metres high. The Cathedral is dedicated to Santa Eulàlia martyr, the patron saint of Barcelona. She was tortured to death in the late Roman period. The body of Santa Eulàlia lies buried under the high altar. Her feast day is always celebrated on the 12th February. Source: https://barcelona.de
The Basilica Sagrada Familia
Unesco World Heritage
Pope Benedict XVI inaugurates the Sagrada Familia on November 7, 2010. The church building is raised to a basilica. The church in the district Eixample is being built since 1882, and is supposed to be finished in 2026. From 1883 the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí took over the leadership of the works until his death in 1926. The building is significantly influenced by him. With the expected completion in 2026, the construction is financed solely from donations and ticket money. Currently, 8 out of 12 about 100 meters tall bell towers are completed. The higher towers of the facade of the glory and the central dome with a height of over 170 meters will be built. In the middle of the 19th Century the booksellers José María Boca Bella, Chairman of the Holy Brotherhood, planned to build a church in Barcelona and to devote it to the Holy Family ( "Sagrada Familia"). The land he chose was a parcel within the "Poblet (village). He would have preferred land closer to the city centre, but due to the already high land prices it wasn't possible. The planning of the church began with the architect of the Diocese Francisco del Villar. He designed a church in Gothic style and began with the construction of the crypt in 1882. Because of fundamental disagreements with Boca Bella he had to resign from his job. A few months later in 1883, the young architect Antoni Gaudí took over his work. The Sagrada Familia became Gaudí's life work. He worked on it until his death on 10th June 1926. Because of its extensive dimension and its lush design, the curch became so important, that people soon called it "the Cathedral". Even Gaudí called it the Cathedral, although it doesn't house a bishop. He was convinced that one day the city would be known because of its church. Gaudí influenced the construction and design of the Sagrada Familia significantly. Many new parts are built according to plans, which aren't in good condition so that it often depended on assumptions about how the great architect had originally planned the parts. Of course everyone is sure of one thing: the Church Sagrada family will - in case of completion - surpass all previously built christian churches in magnificence. The Sagrada Familia should not only be seen as a church in the artistic point of view. At consideration of the church with its facades and towers one has to involve even religion. Source: https://barcelona.de
Unesco World Heritage
Pope Benedict XVI inaugurates the Sagrada Familia on November 7, 2010. The church building is raised to a basilica. The church in the district Eixample is being built since 1882, and is supposed to be finished in 2026. From 1883 the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí took over the leadership of the works until his death in 1926. The building is significantly influenced by him. With the expected completion in 2026, the construction is financed solely from donations and ticket money. Currently, 8 out of 12 about 100 meters tall bell towers are completed. The higher towers of the facade of the glory and the central dome with a height of over 170 meters will be built. In the middle of the 19th Century the booksellers José María Boca Bella, Chairman of the Holy Brotherhood, planned to build a church in Barcelona and to devote it to the Holy Family ( "Sagrada Familia"). The land he chose was a parcel within the "Poblet (village). He would have preferred land closer to the city centre, but due to the already high land prices it wasn't possible. The planning of the church began with the architect of the Diocese Francisco del Villar. He designed a church in Gothic style and began with the construction of the crypt in 1882. Because of fundamental disagreements with Boca Bella he had to resign from his job. A few months later in 1883, the young architect Antoni Gaudí took over his work. The Sagrada Familia became Gaudí's life work. He worked on it until his death on 10th June 1926. Because of its extensive dimension and its lush design, the curch became so important, that people soon called it "the Cathedral". Even Gaudí called it the Cathedral, although it doesn't house a bishop. He was convinced that one day the city would be known because of its church. Gaudí influenced the construction and design of the Sagrada Familia significantly. Many new parts are built according to plans, which aren't in good condition so that it often depended on assumptions about how the great architect had originally planned the parts. Of course everyone is sure of one thing: the Church Sagrada family will - in case of completion - surpass all previously built christian churches in magnificence. The Sagrada Familia should not only be seen as a church in the artistic point of view. At consideration of the church with its facades and towers one has to involve even religion. Source: https://barcelona.de
Casa Batlló
Unesco World Heritage
Very typical for the Modernisme, the Catalan Art Nouveau, is the return to natural elements which you can discover in this building. So the gently curving balconies of the Casa Batllo remind of the waves of the sea. The entire facade is cluttered with flowers. The Casa Batllo is a modification of an existing building. It was rebuilt from the ground up by Gaudí commissioned by the industrialist Josep Batlló in 1904-1906. Especially the lower part of the building carries Gaudí's thumbprint. Gaudí wanted the Casa Batlló's roof to represent the dragon of St George's legend: the roof of Casa Battló is shaped like the back of a monster with large, shiny scales. It consists of ceramic tiles and glazed tiles on double garrets. On the left the roof is limited by a tower with a four arm cross. Behind it, there are plastic shaped ventilation shafts and chimneys, that remind of the guardians of the house. Pillars in the form of bones are located in the window openings. Source: https://barcelona.de
Unesco World Heritage
Very typical for the Modernisme, the Catalan Art Nouveau, is the return to natural elements which you can discover in this building. So the gently curving balconies of the Casa Batllo remind of the waves of the sea. The entire facade is cluttered with flowers. The Casa Batllo is a modification of an existing building. It was rebuilt from the ground up by Gaudí commissioned by the industrialist Josep Batlló in 1904-1906. Especially the lower part of the building carries Gaudí's thumbprint. Gaudí wanted the Casa Batlló's roof to represent the dragon of St George's legend: the roof of Casa Battló is shaped like the back of a monster with large, shiny scales. It consists of ceramic tiles and glazed tiles on double garrets. On the left the roof is limited by a tower with a four arm cross. Behind it, there are plastic shaped ventilation shafts and chimneys, that remind of the guardians of the house. Pillars in the form of bones are located in the window openings. Source: https://barcelona.de
Casa Milà (La Pedrera)
Unesco World Heritage
The Casa Milà is one of Antoni Gaudí's last buildings, before he completely dedicated himself to the Sagrada Familia. The Casa Milà is in the Eixample district and one of the best known and most impressive buildings in Barcelona. The front of the house looks like massive rocks, relaxed only by the wavy lines of iron and beaten ornaments. The bright stone of this otherwise colourless facade distinguishes it from all of Gaudí's other works and is very expressionistic. The house itself consists of two houses, which are connected only by the facade, the ground floor and the roof. Each has its own courtyard and entrance. The story of this house begins like the history of each house. The couple Milà decides to build a house on their 2,000 square meters large plot of land to the noble Passeig de Gracia. It was supposed to be a special house, which stands out in this area. In order to build a special house, you need special architects. The husband, Pedro Milà, heard about Gaudí, a very successful and innovative architect. He had just built a house for a wealthy man on the same street, the Casa Batlló. Milà committed Gaudí on the spot and let him make plans for the house. Gaudí began the construction of the house in 1906 and it took him four years to finish it. Source: https://barcelona.de
Unesco World Heritage
The Casa Milà is one of Antoni Gaudí's last buildings, before he completely dedicated himself to the Sagrada Familia. The Casa Milà is in the Eixample district and one of the best known and most impressive buildings in Barcelona. The front of the house looks like massive rocks, relaxed only by the wavy lines of iron and beaten ornaments. The bright stone of this otherwise colourless facade distinguishes it from all of Gaudí's other works and is very expressionistic. The house itself consists of two houses, which are connected only by the facade, the ground floor and the roof. Each has its own courtyard and entrance. The story of this house begins like the history of each house. The couple Milà decides to build a house on their 2,000 square meters large plot of land to the noble Passeig de Gracia. It was supposed to be a special house, which stands out in this area. In order to build a special house, you need special architects. The husband, Pedro Milà, heard about Gaudí, a very successful and innovative architect. He had just built a house for a wealthy man on the same street, the Casa Batlló. Milà committed Gaudí on the spot and let him make plans for the house. Gaudí began the construction of the house in 1906 and it took him four years to finish it. Source: https://barcelona.de
Parc Güell
Unesco World Heritage
one of the most famous sights of Barcelona. World famous is the with split ceramics decorated winding bank above the peculiarly Roman temples copied by the market hall. Gaudí has created a fabulous forest with this park. The Parc Güell has multiple entrances. The most beautiful one certainly is the main access from the Carrer d'Olot. Typical of Gaudí are the two pavilions with cafe on both sides of the entrance. The columned hall, forest of Roman-inspired columns, support the main eye catcher, the large terrace. Originally, the hall was planned as a market hall for residential area only. The allusion to Roman temple refers to a Roman road that led here. The columns worn by the terrace are bordered by a fraction ceramic excessive balustrade with a bench. This bench is world famous. Salvador Dalí called the bench once the precursor of surrealism. Colourful like children's toys it winds in snake-lines, creating small niches and gives a splendid view over the city. Beyond the square the actual green space begins. In 1885 Gaudí's patron, the industrialist Eusebi Güell, acquired the terrain on a mountain ridge, with a fantastic view of Barcelona. In 1890 Güell instructed the architect Antoni Gaudí to build a garden city, in which nature and an equal housing should form a symbiosis. In addition to the Sagrada Familia, this was the largest project of Gaudí. Finished were only two buildings, roads and the extensive park. Planned were 60 villas, but nobody was interested. The park was opened in 1922. In 1963, the former residence of Gaudí was opened as a museum. Source: https://barcelona.de
Unesco World Heritage
one of the most famous sights of Barcelona. World famous is the with split ceramics decorated winding bank above the peculiarly Roman temples copied by the market hall. Gaudí has created a fabulous forest with this park. The Parc Güell has multiple entrances. The most beautiful one certainly is the main access from the Carrer d'Olot. Typical of Gaudí are the two pavilions with cafe on both sides of the entrance. The columned hall, forest of Roman-inspired columns, support the main eye catcher, the large terrace. Originally, the hall was planned as a market hall for residential area only. The allusion to Roman temple refers to a Roman road that led here. The columns worn by the terrace are bordered by a fraction ceramic excessive balustrade with a bench. This bench is world famous. Salvador Dalí called the bench once the precursor of surrealism. Colourful like children's toys it winds in snake-lines, creating small niches and gives a splendid view over the city. Beyond the square the actual green space begins. In 1885 Gaudí's patron, the industrialist Eusebi Güell, acquired the terrain on a mountain ridge, with a fantastic view of Barcelona. In 1890 Güell instructed the architect Antoni Gaudí to build a garden city, in which nature and an equal housing should form a symbiosis. In addition to the Sagrada Familia, this was the largest project of Gaudí. Finished were only two buildings, roads and the extensive park. Planned were 60 villas, but nobody was interested. The park was opened in 1922. In 1963, the former residence of Gaudí was opened as a museum. Source: https://barcelona.de