Antoni Gaudi i Cornet (1852-1926) is one of the most famous architects in history, the undisputed author of the most striking Catalan buildings. Antonio Gaudi changed the face of Barcelona and built buildings that are still like a magnet attracting millions of tourists from all over the world. The architect worked in the Art Nouveau and Modern styles. To see its architectural heritage, you should buy a ticket to Barcelona.
Gaudi began to be interested in architecture since childhood. There was a moment in his biography when, due to his health, he had to spend a lot of time at home, lying in bed, and the only available occupation for him was drawing. In 1870, Antoni entered the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Barcelona.
It is rumored that Gaudí did not like geometry and clear straight lines. It is easy to believe this by looking at any house he built. At the same time, Gaudi admired nature and the unique variety of forms found in nature. He carefully studied the history of architecture, paying a lot of attention not only to the European tradition, but also to the history of the architecture of Egypt, India, Morocco and other countries.
A brilliant artist always needs a generous patron, and for Gaudí such a generous customer was the local industrial tycoon Eusebi Güell (now famous for Park Güell).
The most famous architectural creation of Gaudí is The Sagrada Familia (Holy Family Church). This neo-Gothic basilica is still unfinished. By this fact, the cathedral is connected with the medieval Gothic tradition, where cathedrals were often built over a century.
Gaudi’s first major construction is the Casa Vicens, commissioned by Manuel Vicens. The building, which almost led to the bankruptcy of its customer, has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage since 2005. The facade of the house is decorated with Gaudi’s favorite colorful tiles. This is one of the main features of his architectural signature. In addition, it should be noted that the customer of the house was a tile manufacturer, so his estate should also become an advertisement for his products. It would seem that the year 1883 is far away, but what a brilliant marketing idea. Moroccan influences are clearly felt in this building.
Güell palace (Palau Guell) is decorated with gray marble. Of course, here even the arches have an unusual shape. It should be noted once again that Gaudi did not like straight lines, but drew inspiration from forms that could be seen in nature. The 127 columns of the building have unique shapes. In the center of the hall is a dome 17.5 meters high. An organ is installed in the hall itself. On the roof of the building there is a dome with a pointed tower, and all of it is framed by 18 stone sculptures.
With Güell`s money, Gaudi created a park with an area of 17 hectares, which is one of the largest parks in Europe. The construction of the park took 14 years. Construction began in 1900. And since 1926, Park Güell has been open to the public. All the buildings in the park, as well as the central square with a giant snake-like bench, have a characteristic Gaudí style, winding lines, a large number of mosaics used in the decoration. The park, which was completely designed by Gaudi, was created in such a way that many of its elements are perceived as organically created by nature. And frankly speaking, this resemblance to nature, together with the rich mosaic decor, really impresses in Park Güell. A peculiar symbol of the park is a salamander, which is also decorated with a mosaic.
Mosaic is Gaudi’s signature decoration. He uses small pieces of ceramics for decoration in almost all of his buildings. After the construction of the park, Antonio Gaudí devoted himself completely to work on the Sagrada Familia (the Church of the Holy Family, which is still not completed). But we will return to this architectural masterpiece a little later.
And first, let’s look at the Casa Batllo (House of Bones), which looks like either a marshmallow or a Venetian carnival (the balconies are made in a shape very similar to carnival masks). The roof of the house resembles a dragon’s back. The stairs inside and the interior in general create the impression that you are inside a fairy tale about Alice in Wonderland. Authentic furniture designed by Gaudí has been preserved in the house. Chimneys on the roof of the house are created in the form of mythical heads. Here you definitely understand that Gaudí did not like right angles and straight lines because they are not to be found in the house.
Another fantastic Casa Mila (La Pedrera), where the central bank of Catalonia is located now. It is like a mountain range or a sea wave that flows from one street to another. In the center of the building there is a patio, which once again transports visitors through the looking glass. The upper floors of the building are residential. On the seventh floor, there is an open apartment with interiors designed by Gaudí, where you can immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the beginning of the 20th century.
Finally, let’s talk about the Sagrada Familia – Gaudi’s largest work. The last years of his life he spent almost all the time on the construction. He lived so much by his work that he did not worry about his own appearance. And because of problems with arthritis, he tried to walk. It so happened that one day, on the way to the Sagrada Familia, he was hit by a tram. Passers-by did not recognize him as the best architect of the city, and his modest clothes made people think that he was almost a beggar, so in result he was taken to a hospital for the poor. There he was not given the necessary help, which led to the death of the architect.
Work on the basilica began in 1882. The project of the cathedral was developed by Francisco de Paula del Villar, and then after some time Gaudi became the main architect of the project, who completely redesigned the project. Unlike Gaudi’s other projects, the construction of the cathedral took place with the donations of the city’s Catholics. The work went slowly, and Gaudí did not make preliminary plans and did not leave any calculations. Ideas came to him directly during work, which he implemented, sometimes at the cost of dismantling a certain part of the building. He had his own way of working. His models of the future building can still be seen in the crypt of the Sagrada Familia.
When somebody asked why the construction is taking place so slowly, Gaudí seemed to answer: «My customer is in no hurry» (meaning God).
According to the design, the Cathedral should have three facades dedicated to Christmas, Christ in Glory and the Passion of Christ. The facade, on which Gaudí worked directly, is richly decorated with sculptures. One of the scenes of «Beating the Babies» is particularly impressive with its emotional content.
The interiors of the cathedral are filled with the bright Catalan sun, which falls through the stained glass windows, and the giant shaped columns once again transport you to some other dimension. In the Sagrada Familia comes an understanding of the miracle that appeared to the eyes of medieval people who came in the temples to the worship. And the incompleteness of this cathedral has its own certain magic. Although the cathedral is promised to be completed by 2026.
To feel Gaudi’s style and to find another place where to go in Kyiv you can at the mosaic master class at the Lihtaryk art studio. Gift certificates and creative master classes and art lectures are also available for you.
У меня синдром Стендаля сегодня. Утром ходили в Падуанский баптистерий. Смотрели фрески Менабуя. А после обеда у нас было посещение каппелы Скровеньи. Теперь я понимаю , что сделал Джотто для мира. Очень меня все это впечатлило в живую. Привет передала.
Мир прекрасен. Падуя очень понравилась:) спасибо за лекции Света!
Lily Golovchak
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