GAUDÍ & COMPANY: FIVE STUNNING MODERNISM COMPLEXES With Gaudí as their most celebrated comrade, the Modernists gave Eixample its unique and enchanting character. The district’s most famous Modernism site is – of course – the Sagrada Familia, yet there are plenty more inspiring architectural gems to admire, often with shorter queues and not-so-steep admission fees.
OPEN-AIR MODERNISM At the turn of the 20th century, the rich industrial Eusebi Guëll asked the yet-tobe-discovered architect Antoni Gaudí to build him a lush garden district in the city’s suburbs. On his domain of 17.2 hectares, he wanted to build a fairytale-like, foresty garden with 40 houses. In the end, only two of them would get built: one for Guëll, and one for Gaudí himself. Stealing the show are, however, the mosaic bench, lizard sculpture and grand staircase. Since 1984, Park Guëll is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Park Güell, Carretera del Carmel 23. €10 (discounts available). Open daily from 8am to 8.30pm (5.30pm in winter).
JUST ANOTHER CITY CASTLE
DOUBLE BILL
Eixample counts so many Modernist gems that most people don’t even look up at them anymore. A palace worth lifting the gaze for, however, is Casa de les punxes (or, house of the spikes). Designed by Josep Puig i Cadafalch, this building clearly illustrates the versatility of the architect. Today, you can visit part of it, while the other half is occupied by offices, shops and a bank.
At Passeig de Gràcia, Barcelona’s most expensive street, you’ll find some of the finest Modernist buildings in the world. Among the most famous is Casa Batlló, a colourful masterpiece by Gaudí which, according to rumours, represents Saint George (the patron saint of Catalonia) as he kills the dragon. The hubbly, colourful roof would be the dragon and the chimney the sword. What makes this building even nicer is its unity with the neighbouring Casa Amatller, a house designed by the aforementioned Josep Puig i Cadafalch (like Gaudí, an apprentice of Lluís Domènech i Montaner). Though not as famous as many other Modernist temples in the city, Casa Amatller has one of the most precious facades in town, with mesmerising yellow patterns and tiles.
Casa de les punxes, Avinguda Diagonal 420. €13.50 (discounts available). Open daily from 10am to 7pm.
Casa Batlló, Passeig de Gràcia 43. €25 (discounts available). Open daily from 9am to 9.30pm. Casa Amatller, Passeig de Gràcia 41. €16 (discounts available). Open daily from 10am to 6pm.
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