Barcelona

No architect has marked a city as much as Gaudí in Barcelona - his Modernista buildings, and those designed by Lluis Domènech i Montaner and Josep Puig i Cadafalch, attract millions of visitors each year. The best way to discover Barcelona’s most famous Catalan Art Nouveau buildings is to follow “La Ruta del Modernisme”, a circuit designed by the city’s tourist office. You can buy a multi-ticket at Casa Lleó Morera

La Sagrada Familia
La Sagrada Familia, Gaudí’s unfinished masterpiece is the most emblematic and controversial monument in Barcelona.
The expiatory church was begun in March 1882 from a project by the architect Francisco de Paula del Villar (1828-1901), but at the end of 1883 Gaudí was commissioned to carry on the works. He devoted the last 15 years of his life entirely to the project, until his death in 1926. The church plan is that of a Latin cross with five naves and an apse with seven chapels. Gaudi designed three facades representing the birth, death, and resurrection of Christ with eighteen towers symbolizing the twelve Apostles, the four Evangelists, and the Virgin Mary and Christ. The one representing Christ was designed to be the tallest, standing at 170 meters high. Only the Nativity façade was completed at the time of his death. Most of Gaudí’s plans were destroyed during the Civil War, and different architects have since worked on the project, trying to complete it according to Gaudi’s original plan. This explains why the style appears somewhat different between the new and the old parts of the building. Construction is still on going and completion is expected in 2026, for the 100th anniversary of Gaudí’s death. There is a lift up the towers, or you can climb the vertiginous staircase. Under the temple, the crypt contains Gaudí’s remains and a museum, which traces the history of the church through models, photographs and sketches.
Address: Calle Mallorca 401, 08034, Barcelona.
Opening times: 9am-6pm (Oct-Mar) 9am-8pm (Apr-Sep)
Admission: 11 Euros

The Golden Square around Passeig de Gracia in the Eixample district boasts many of the best Modernista buildings

Casa Batlló
Designed for Josep Batlló, a wealthy aristocrat, Casa Batlló is one of the two great buildings designed by Antoni Gaudí on Passeig de Gracia.
The façade is decorated with multicoloured fragments of ceramic tiling and wave-shaped windows and balconies. The scaly roofline represents the Dragon impaled on St George’s sword.
Audio guides are available.
Address: Casa Batlló, No.43 Passeig de Gràcia.
Admission: 17.50 euros per person, with an audio guide
Opening times: every day, Monday to Sunday, 9am to 8pm.
Closed: 25th December and 1st January.

Casa Milà “La Pedrera” (the Quarry)
Designed by Gaudí, Casa Milà was built for the wealthy Mila family and completed in 1912. It is one of Gaudí’s finest and most daring creations, with its undulating façade and elaborate wrought iron balconies. The apartments are arranged around two circular courtyards, thus allowing natural light into all the rooms. The most striking feature of the building is the rooftop, with its sculptured chimneys and air vents. UNESCO declared it a World Heritage site in 1984.
Address: C. Provença, 261-265.
Opening times: Monday to Sunday from 9 am to 6.30 pm (winter); Monday to Sunday from 9 am to 8 pm (summer). Closed: 25th and 26th December, 1st and 6th January.
Admission: €9.50 (concession: €5.50). Children up to 12: free

Casa Lleo Morera
Designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner, it is one of the greatest examples of Catalonian modernism. Although it cannot be visited, spend time admiring its facade, decorated with medieval arches, Art Nouveau carvings and wrought iron balconies.

Hospital de la Santa Creu i de Sant Pau
An innovative concept by Lluis Domènech I Montaner, the complex consists of 48 lavishly decorated pavillions set in large gardens. The architect believed in the therapeutic properties of art and nature. The facades are decorated with mosaics and  Mujedar motifs. The ceramics and artwork are from the artist Eusebi Arnau.
Address: Carrer Sant Antoni Maria Claret 167
Grounds are open every day; some pavillions can be visited (contact in advance for permission)

The old town
El Barri Gòtic (Gothic quarter) is a maze of narrow, winding streets and the oldest part of the city. The Gothic quarter rests upon the ancient Roman settlement and you can still see remains of the ancient fortifications and of the temple to August built by the Romans. Centred around the Catedral de la Seu, the district boasts one of the most extensive collection of medieval buildings in Spain, reminders of Barcelona’s golden era in the 15th century.The area is best discovered on foot.Do not miss the following highlights:

Catedral La Seu
The impressive Gothic Cathedral was begun under Jaume II in 1298, although the main façade was completed in 1889, and the central spire in 1913. The Romanesque Capella de Santa Llucia and cloister, with its trees and fountains, are particularly beautiful. The Catalan-style Gothic interior consists of a central nave and two aisles, with side chapels set between elegant columns supporting the vaulted ceiling. Beautifully carved late 14th-century choir stalls are set in the middle of the central nave. The crypt contains the tomb of Santa Eulalia, martyred by the Romans, and one of Barcelona’s patron saints.
Address: Plaça de la Seu

Plaça Sant Jaume
Plaça Sant Jaume was Barcelona’s political centre in Roman times. Today it accommodates Barcelona’s most important government buildings.

Palau de la Generalitat (Catalonia’s parliament), a 15th century building which retains its original Gothic main entrance. It is worth going inside to see the imposing 16th century Sala Daurada i de Sessions and the Renaissance Saló de Sant Jordi.

Casa de la Ciutat (Barcelona’s town hall and once the seat of the Consell of Cent).
The magnificent 14th century building houses the council chamber. Admire the murals by Josep-Maria Sertin in the Saló de les Croniques upstairs.

Plaça del Rei
Surrounded by a fine collection of Gothic buildings, the medieval square is held as the most beautiful area in the Gothic quarter.

Palau Reial Major
Built in the 13th century, it was the palace of the counts of Barcelona. Do not miss the impressive Gothic Saló del Tinell, where Isabel and Ferdinand are said to have received Columbus upon his triumphal return from the New World.

Museu d’Historia de la Ciutat
Located in Casa Padellas, a 15th century building, the main treasure is the lower floor where you discover extensive excavations of the Roman town. You can wander around on elevated walkways.
Opening times: 10am to 2pm and 4pm to 8pm, Tuesday to Saturday; 10am to 2pm Sundays. Closed: 1st January, Good Friday, 25th and 26th December.

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