Antoni Gaudi

offering one of the most beautiful views of the city. This park, declared Patrimony of Mankind by UNESCO in 1984, is one of the most exceptional illustrations of the genius of Gaudi and his vision of architecture integrated with its natural surroundings. One of the two houses of the garden-city that was finished, the work of the architect Francesc Berenguer, 1906, became Gaudi's residence and today houses the Gaudi House-Museum.

At Carolines street numbers 18-24 is the Vicens House(1878-1885), one of the first works of this architect, in which straight lines and vertical tendencies still predominate.

Another of the greatest works of Gaudi is the Mila House, La Pedrera(1905-1910), in Passeig de Gràcia 92, also declared Patrimony of Mankind in 1984 by UNESCO. In 1986 it was restored by the La Caixa de Catalunya Foundation having the first floor fitted out as an exhibition room and the attic level and roof turned into an area dedicated to the artist, the Espai Gaudi(Gaudi Area).

The Batllò House(Passeig de Gràcia, 43), totally 1904 and 1906 by Gaudi is, a masterpiece of undulating artistry, of the rounded forms of the mature period of the architect, its interior a delight to the senses.

Calvet Housewas built between 1898 and 1900, its ground floor containing offices and furniture designed by Gaudi himself, today fitted out as a restaurant.

The southernmost point of this route is marked by the Güell Palace(Nou de la Rambla 3-5), close to the Ramblas. Built between 1886 and 1888, this is defined by Bassegoda Nonell as "Gaudi's first great work of architecture, in which his personal vision of architecture is made manifest".

But a tour of the works of Gaudi in Barcelona can only terminate in one place, the Temple of the Sagrada Familia.Here, we are confronted by the vision of the genius, by his mystical dream of redemption as he suddenly rediscovers forgiveness and grace for a people who wish to expiate their sins or render worship to the Creator. Gaudi, inspired by the medieval idea of religion, dedicated his whole life to this project, bequeathing a colossal challenge to posterity which has still not been acquitted and which has been the cause of much controversy. The architect inherited the idea of a Neo-Gothic church, its crypt already at an advanced stage of completion, from Villar and Martorell, the latter involving the young Gaudi, who was just 31 when he put his visionary genius to the task of designing an awesome cathedral 110 metres in length and 45 high, with three fronts each bearing four soaring towers (a total of 12. dedicated to the Apostles), four monumental bell towers (one for each Evangelist) and two colossal domes, dedicated to the Virgin and to Christ respectively, the latter reaching a height of 170 metres. This "20th-century cathedral", as it is known, has a Gothic basilicas ground plan in the shape of a Latin cross, with five naves connecting with a transept from which stem another three naves, apse and ambulatory. The architect's awesome vision pursued a staggering sense of verticality, a meeting-point between the earth and the sky, between God and Humanity. The original idea of Antoni Gaudi for this tremendous undertaking included a universe of Christian symbols, of theological ideas and biographical references to Christ, an aspect which can be clearly seen in the fronts which, according to the plans, will be three, dedicated to the Birth, the Passion and the Death and the Resurrection. Work came to a halt in 1936 due to the outbreak of the Civil War, and Gaudi's study, containing his plans and drawings, as well as the crypt, were destroyed by fire. A start was made again in 1052, thanks to the persistence of his disciples and followers, using drawings and models saved from the fire, and in 1954 work began on the front of the Passion (west), with its four towers. This was completed in 1976 and decorated in 1987 by the sculptor Josep M. Subirachs.

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