La Sagrada Família and the Architecture of Gaudí

Gaudí is to Barcelona what hot fudge is to ice cream sundaes. While by no means the only visionary architect associated with this city, he remains the ultimate symbol of Catalonian genius. His pièce de résistance is the spectacular La Sagrada Família, which upon its completion in 2026, will be the world’s largest and most structurally daring church. There’s nothing like it in the world; it’s totally unique. Just as unique as the architect himself.

But beyond his sacred temple, Gaudí left a trail of architectural treasures sprinkled across Barcelona and further afield in Catalonia. People travel from far and wide to seek out his masterpieces which blend a range of Neo-Gothic, Moorish, Mudéjar, Asian, Egyptian and fellow Modernista influences into a wild mixture of arches, columns, windows, screens, tile work and stained glass.

Going a step further, Gaudí innovated new organic forms derived from the natural world around him. Spirals, webs, branches, and curves define his creations. Absolutely everything he designed is pure art. How many architects out there can say that today? But words just don’t do his constructions justice, just watch the video and examine the pictures below to see how wonderful his works really are.

The roof of Casa Batlló, completed in 1906, is said to resemble the back of a sleeping dragon. Many of Gaudí’s houses are known for their roofs which sprout wild works of ceramic art.

Casa Mila’s facade illustrates Gaudí’s unique organic lines and forms.

The main hall in Palau Güell, which rises three stories, strikes a weird balance between Art Nouveau and Dracula.

Tourists swirl around the whirlpool ceiling of Casa Batlló.

Elongated Islamic arches, Egyptian papyrus columns, and neo-Gothic ceilings reveal Gaudí’s wild mix of styles.

Even the old school for the children of the construction workers at La Sagrada Família is a protected work of art.

Beneath Casa Batlló’s sleeping dragon roof, the series of catenary arches within its loft are said to represent the architectural ribs of the beast. The loft looks YEARS ahead of its time.

Handrails, windows, lamps, fixtures, and every tiny bit of ornamentation within a Gaudí house is a work of art.

The Art Nouveau fireplace in the Palau Güell is just one example of how insanely ornate the original furnishings must have been.