Antonio Gaudi can rightfully be called the most outstanding Spanish architect of the 19th-20th centuries. The master is the creator of his own unique style based on Art Nouveau. During his life, Gaudi implemented 18 architectural projects, seven of which are currently included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. His most famous buildings are located in Barcelona. Palace Güell, Park Güell, Casa Batllo, Casa Mila and the Spaniard's life's work - the Expiatory Church of the Sagrada Familia - this is an incomplete list of Gaudi's masterpieces. By the way, the last one has not yet been completed! During his lifetime, the architect spent 40 years on it, and according to the plan, construction of the temple will be completed only in 2026.

6th place. House of Vicens

1. Casa Vicens is a private residential building that was built in 1883-1885 by order of Don Manuel Vicens y Montaner. The building is the first independent work Gaudi. The property is located in the Grazia district of Barcelona. From 1899 to the present day, the mansion has belonged to the Hover family. Entry is prohibited; You can only admire the building from the outside. (Victor Wong)

2. The house is designed in the Moorish Mudejar style. Its façade is decorated with hand-painted tiles. (Ian Gampon)

3. The tiles feature yellow marigolds. (Ian Gampon)

5th place. Palace Guell

4. Palace Güell - a residential building that was built in 1885-1890 by order of Eusebi Güell. The building is designed in the style of Catalan modernism. The property is located in the Raval district of Barcelona. Visitors should pay special attention to the roof terrace and central hall with a ceiling in the form of a starry sky. (Pirotek)

5. The palace consists of four floors, a basement and a roof with a terrace. (Pepe Manteca)

6. The facade of the house is very austere and practically devoid of sculptural decoration. But inside, Gaudi created a unique interior. (josep salvia i boté)

4th place. Park Guell

7. Park Güell - a park that was built in 1900-1914 by order of Eusebi Güell. There are three houses on an area of ​​17.18 hectares. Visitors should pay special attention to the fountain in the form of a mosaic Salamander, the “Hall of a Hundred Columns”, and a bench in the shape of a sea serpent. (Amy Goodman)

8. Park Güell is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. (Ajuntament Barcelona)

9. (YoungDoo Moon)

10. (YoungDoo Moon)

12. (Jaime Perez)

13. (Paul Blair)

3rd place. Casa Batllo

14. Casa Batllo is a residential building that was rebuilt by Gaudi in 1904-1906 by order of Josep Batllo i Casanovas. The property is located in the Eixample district of Barcelona. The mansion itself resembles the curved back of a dragon, where the balconies are skulls and the columns are bones. (Luc Mercelis)

15. Casa Batllo is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. (Torsten Huckert)

16. (Mstyslav Chernov)

18. (YoungDoo Moon)

19. (Victor Wong)

20. (YoungDoo Moon)

2nd place. House Mila

21. House Mila - a residential building that was built in 1906-1910 by order of the Mila family. The property is located at the intersection of Passeig de Gràcia and Carre de Provença in Barcelona. The building has three courtyards, a roof terrace and an attic. (paula soler-moya)

22. Casa Mila is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. (Young Doo Moon)

23. (Sebastian Niedlich)

24. (Victor Wong)

Antonio Gaudi: the most mysterious architect in history who worked miracles

We often hear about brilliant musicians, writers, and poets. When applied to architecture, the word “brilliant” is used much less frequently. Perhaps because it is much more difficult to realize such a talent than any other. The more valuable for history is everyone who managed to replenish architectural heritage humanity with uniquely beautiful creations. The brightest and most mysterious among such geniuses is the Spanish architect Antonio Gaudi - the creator of the legendary Sagrada Familia Cathedral, Palace Guell, Casa Batllo and other unique masterpieces that adorn Barcelona today, making it a truly unique city.

Antonio Gaudi was born in Catalonia in 1852 in the family of the blacksmith Francisco Gaudi i Serra and his wife Antonia Curnet i Bertrand. In the family he was the youngest of five children. After the death of Antonio's mother, two brothers and sister, he settled in Barcelona with his father and niece. Since childhood, Gaudí was very sick; rheumatism prevented him from playing with other children. Instead, he took long walks alone, which he eventually grew to love. It was they who helped him become closer to nature, which throughout his subsequent life inspired the architect to solve the most incredible constructive and artistic tasks.

The brilliant architect Antonio Gaudi.

While studying at Catholic college, Antonio was most interested in geometry and drawing. In his free time, he spent time exploring local monasteries. Already in those years, teachers admired the works young artist Gaudi. And he said with complete seriousness that his talent was God’s gift. In the process of creating his creations, he often turned to the theme of God, and did not deviate from it even when choosing artistic aspects of your creativity. For example, he did not like straight lines, calling them a product of man. But Gaudi adored circles and was convinced of their divine origin. These principles can be clearly seen in all his 18 architectural creations, which today are the pride of Barcelona. They are characterized by a bold combination of materials, textures and colors. Gaudi used his own unsupported floor system, which made it possible not to “cut” the rooms into parts. Repeating his calculations became possible only after NASA created a calculation of the flight trajectories of spacecraft.

The architect’s first buildings were “House of Vicens”, “El Capriccio”, “Pavilion of the Güell Estate”. They differ significantly from each other, however, they are all decorated with a large number of decorative details in the neo-Gothic style.

"Pavilion of the Guell estate."

Generally architectural style Antonio Gaudi is phantasmagorical, difficult to define, although the architect was called a genius of modernism. Gaudi was the most a prominent representative its national romantic movement, Catalan modernism. Incredibly, he was not helped by design engineers, he acted on instinct, relying only on his sense of harmony, often improvised and tried to convey his idea to his assistants using drawings on the board. His architectural creations have everything: bizarre structural forms, sculptures, paintings, mosaics, color plastics. They contain people and animals, fantastic creatures, trees, flowers.

Casa Batllo.

Antonio was very handsome, however, personal life- lonely. Of course, he had affairs, but none of them ended in marriage or any kind of serious relationship. In essence, he was married to his creations. Antonio was a quite wealthy man and had the opportunity to rent any housing, but while working on the next project he invariably lived right at the construction site, equipping a small closet for himself, and wore old overalls.

Gaudí's architecture makes Barcelona unique.

This was the case during his work on his favorite and, perhaps, most grandiose creation- the Sagrada Familia Cathedral, the Expiatory Temple of the Holy Family, the construction of which he never finished. It began in 1882, when Gaudí was 30 years old, and has not been completed to this day. The architect devoted 40 years of his life to this project. And on June 7, 1926, Gaudi left the construction site and disappeared. On the same day, on one of the streets of Barcelona, ​​a poor man was run over by a tram. Only a few days later he was identified as the greatest architect Antonio Gaudi. He found his last refuge in one of the chapels of the Sagrada Familia.

Cathedral of the Sagrada Familia.

During Gaudi's funeral procession, in which probably half the city took part, a mystical thing happened. Many townspeople, among whom were very respected people, claimed that they saw ghosts in the crowd of people who came to say goodbye to the genius. For example, Salvador Dali spoke about this.

In the Sagrada Familia cathedral.

Today, this mystery, which once excited Barcelona, ​​has already become history and the subject of excursions. But there are still people who believe: if you repeat the route exactly last path Gaudi, you can get a piece of his incredible talent. And we can simply be grateful to the genius for his selfless devotion to art and love for the people to whom he left a priceless architectural heritage.

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Barcelona is a city of incomparable architectural delights, one of the capitals of Art Nouveau. The works of Antoni Gaudi occupy a central place in the urban space. Millions of tourists travel to Barcelona to see these architectural masterpieces.

In total, there are thirteen objects built by Gaudí in Barcelona.

Sagrada Familia

One of most famous works Gaudi in Barcelona is La Sagrada Familia or the Temple of the Holy Family. This is a huge temple that has been under construction for more than 130 years. The construction of the basilica began back in 1882, and is expected to be completed only by 2050. This is not only the most famous, but also the most visited tourist attraction in Barcelona. You can find Sagrada Familia at Mallorca, 401. To get there you need to take the lilac L2 or blue L5 metro line to Sagrada Familia station or bus routes 19, 33, 34, 43, 44, 50 and 51.

There are always huge queues of tourists at the Sagrada. Therefore, we recommend purchasing a ticket to the cathedral in advance. You can do this using this link.

Casa Batllo

Casa Batllo is one of the most unusual houses in Barcelona. The house looks like it was built from skulls and bones. It is felt that when designing this house, Gaudi was inspired by the depths of the sea. The facade of the building has a delicate coral color.

Sir Antonio paid great attention to detail. One has only to pay attention to the windows of the Casa Batllo: their size depends on the height at which they are located. In this way, the issue of uniform lighting of the rooms was resolved.

Tourists can see Casa Batllo at Passeigde Gràcia, 43, which can be reached by taking the L3 green metro line to Passeigde Gràcia station. It's worth paying attention to the exit from the metro! It should be Calle Aragó - Rambla Catalunya – and then it will take literally 30 seconds to walk to Casa Batllo.

Tickets to Casa Batllo can also be purchased in advance.

Park Guell

You should definitely visit the aristocratic park of Barcelona, ​​built by Gaudi commissioned by Eusebi Güell. Park Güell is home to unique stone structures, amazing mosaics and magnificent buildings. At the entrance to the park, tourists are greeted by a dragon fountain decorated with mosaics.

It is in this park that one can feel how strongly the natural origins influenced the architecture of Antoni Gaudi. There are huge stone columns that grow out of the ground, like strange tree trunks.

At the top of the park there is a terrace from which everyone can enjoy magnificent view not only in the park, but throughout Barcelona.

Casa Vicens

Not many tourists know about the existence of Casa Vicens - one of the most early works Gaudi. This family residence was designed and built by industrialist Manuel Vicens in 1878 - 1889. The building's style mixes Spanish-Arabic with oriental and adds Gaudí's signature natural influence.

Bright colors and special attention to detail will not leave any architecture lover indifferent.

Address: Carrer de les Carolines, 18-24 Nearest metro station: Fontana, green Line L3

You can also get acquainted with the main creations of Gaudí during one sightseeing tour or have fun with modern technologies in 4D space.

If you went to Barcelona together young travelers, they will surely enjoy the excursion.

Long ago, Barcelona gained a reputation as a place open to all ideas and movements. There was enough room for everyone: traders, artisans, artists, architects, people of different nationalities and religions, just dreamers obsessed with the utopian idea of ​​turning it into a paradisiacal garden city... Who knows, maybe God heard the latter and, touched by the purity and naivety these thoughts, as a consolation, he nevertheless threw a handful of magic seeds from heaven, from which, breaking the thickness of the concrete, wonderful, bizarre flowers sprouted and blossomed - the creations of the great Antonio Gaudi. They are the ones who will give Barcelona a unique look and make it the world capital of modernity.

Gaudi left behind mysteries, the answers to which humanity is still looking for; his name is shrouded in a veil of myths and legends. Some considered him a genius, some a madman, some a saint... “This man with bottomless blue eyes talks to God,” many of his contemporaries assured. Antonio Gaudi i Cornet was born on June 25, 1852 in the small Catalan city of Reus. The midwife said the boy would not survive. The child was urgently baptized, in a hurry to save the baby’s soul. Miraculously, death subsided, but the baby was given a terrible diagnosis - a severe form of arthritis. Doctors determined maximum term the life of a small patient is no more than three years. Through the efforts of doctors or the prayers of his mother, Antonio overcame this milestone, but the forecasts still did not inspire optimism. From the conversations of adults, the boy knew for sure that the day when he would join his three brothers who died in infancy was very close...

When Antonio was 5 years old, his mother said: “I will take you to Tarragona to visit the Virgin Mary.” The baby was unable to kneel in front of the Virgin because of terrible pain in his legs. Bowing his head, he whispered: “Thank you for living so long!”

Over time, the boy's health will improve noticeably, although attacks of arthritis will torment him throughout his life.

Life goes on!

Despite the constant physical suffering that did not allow Antonio to play with his peers in their noisy, fun games, he rejoiced in every day given to him by the Lord, and sought to absorb all the magic that was happening every moment in this world. The movement of waves, the flight of clouds, the rustle of the wind, the incredibly perfect structure of a snail crawling along sea ​​sand... He desperately wanted to stay in this wonderful world, but I wanted even more to understand how it works. " Man is not a creator, he is a discoverer. Whoever seeks the laws of nature to support his new works helps the Creator" Gaudi would devote his entire life to this principle, leaving no room in it for either a home or the woman he loved. He will grow his creations like loving father raises children, step by step, enriching their world with new opportunities for independent life, putting her on her feet, dressing her in amazing multi-colored outfits and... letting go. And then they develop and evolve together with nature, merging with it into a single whole, without human participation. He will help the Creator hasten the onset of this new era- the absolute kingdom of beauty and harmony.

The children again started some kind of game on the seashore. But the small figure of six-year-old Antonio remains motionless. His gaze is fixed on the water. The shape of the waves is never repeated: in one big one there are hundreds of others, smaller ones. " If people lived at sea, they would not feel lonely. Streets and houses would merge into one element, but at the same time they would never become faceless, similar friend on a friend».

On the seashore, Antonio will build his first house from sand. Much later he will say: “ You take a handful of damp sand in your palm, squeeze it down drop by drop, and from the random drops, alien to rational calculation, suddenly towers begin to grow - the first, second, third... All are similar, but none repeats the other, each is individual" In the creation of Gaudí's entire life - the temple of the holy family, the Sagrada Familia - millions of people will recognize the sand castles that they themselves built in childhood.

Young romantic

In 1863, Gaudi entered the monastery school, which gave him a secondary education and two wonderful friends: young romantics Eduardo Toda and Jose Rivera loved to spend time in nature and explore historical places. Three teenagers prepared the publication of 12 issues of the weekly magazine with stories about their research. Toda and Rivera worked on the text, Gaudí on the illustrations. In addition, friends often staged amateur performances that took place anywhere - even in attics and barns. Gaudi preferred to create scenery. Later, friends presented the own business plan for the restoration of the Poblet monastery. The plan remained on paper, but the idea of ​​the project itself strengthened Gaudi’s intention to become an architect. Subsequently, the paths of the comrades diverged. Toda served in the diplomatic department in Madrid, and Rivera studied medicine in Granada and became a professor. After retiring, he returned to hometown and... led the restoration of the monastery in Poblet. Thanks to his work, the monastery has become today one of the brightest attractions of Catalonia.

In 1869, after finishing school, Antonio entered preparatory courses at the Faculty of Natural Sciences of the University of Barcelona. He studies very poorly. At his final exams, out of six subjects, he fails two, including drawing. This, however, does not prevent Gaudí from enrolling in 1874. High school architecture, where he immediately established himself as a very unusual student.

In 1876, brother Antonio became seriously ill and died, and 2 months after this tragedy his mother also died. Antonio took care of his father, sister and niece: in parallel with his studies, he worked part-time as a draftsman in an architectural bureau. It is not surprising that Gaudí often missed classes and his academic performance left much to be desired. Despite this, Gaudi still completed his studies. Receiving an architect's diploma did not mean that orders immediately poured in for the young specialist. He continued to work as a draftsman, presenting his own designs from time to time. In 1878, a well-known manufacturer of leather gloves in Barcelona commissioned Gaudí to design a showcase for participation in World's Fair in Paris. The showcase delighted visitors, major newspapers and the richest industrialist and philanthropist Eusebio Güell. The latter was captivated by the talent of the young architect and immediately offered Gaudi several orders. However, he is not alone.

Houses and trees

Gaudi never thought of his projects as separate standing buildings. He will create a special world around them, and he will do this without sketches and drawings, horrifying famous architects. They talked about another eccentricity of the architect: he did not recognize people wearing glasses and never wore them himself, although one of his eyes was nearsighted and the other farsighted. The manufacturer, Don Manuel Vincennes, was not frightened by these oddities. He commissions an architect to design a summer house. Casa Vincennes (“House of Vincennes”) will be the master’s first major work, thanks to which he will be recognized in high circles Barcelona. While examining the future construction site, Gaudi notices a huge palm tree surrounded by a carpet yellow flowers. In 2 years, Gaudi will “grow” a palace in the courtyard of Don Vincennes. There is nothing accidental here - he even creates the fence of the house in the form of palm leaves, because the same palm trees grow in the garden. The material with which Gaudi decorated the entire house of the manufacturer is becoming incredibly popular: the cold slab looks warm and alive. People were amazed at what an incredible house Don Vincennes got for himself. And even though he almost went bankrupt paying for Gaudi’s follies, he bought himself a place in eternity: in Barcelona, ​​houses built by Gaudi are still called by the names of their customers.

Another fantastic creation of Gaudí is Park Güell. The customer of this project was Eusebio Güell, who gave Gaudi complete freedom of action (including financial). Gaudi, as usual, built without drawings. Why does a dream come true need drawings?

When you stand in Park Güell, it seems as if you are floating above Barcelona. Many people compare this place with the Wonderland he told about: the rabbit hole at first went straight, like a tunnel, then suddenly dived down. Suddenly a tree appeared on the way, and now it was a column, and a second later it was neither this nor that. The broken trunk suddenly turns out to be a path, which in fact is not a path at all, running along the ground, but an arch going into the sky. Gaudi fit the park into the space so skillfully that it is almost impossible to understand where architecture ends and nature begins. Looking at the supporting columns supporting the park paths, you involuntarily remember that when asked which treatise on architecture Gaudí prefers, he answered: “ Any tree. Nature created this tree from its own material, twisted it into an incomprehensible mosaic in which the pattern was never repeated. Deep wrinkles cut through the rough trunk. Knots of branches protrude from it, like human joints. Life pulsates under the bumps and cracks of the bark».

In the famous “hall of a hundred columns” (actually there are 86 of them), the columns inside are the same trees: rainwater flows down the hollow trunks inside. Nearby, the famous tailless lizard is basking in the sun. Gaudi sent water from underground springs through her veins. People believe that even the spray in which this creature bathes is healing. Meanwhile, Gaudí revives the world's longest bench by choosing its shape. Gaudí ordered the workers to take off their clothes and sit as comfortably as possible on a fresh layer of mortar, then he made seats and backs based on the impression they received, and they became an extension of the human body. By the way, if the bench were straight, it would accommodate half as many people.

Salvador Dali could stay here for hours. The artist’s paintings capture images snatched from Gaudi’s world.

At the same time, Gaudi began work on the Sagrada Familia, one of the most beautiful buildings in the world and perhaps the most famous long-term construction project. The first architect of the cathedral was Professor Francisco del Villar, and Gaudi was recruited by this recognized master to work as an assistant. In 1883, due to disagreements with customers, the old professor was forced to leave the project. Gaudi took his place. He plunges into his work headlong, but this does not stop him from completing private orders. Construction of the temple progressed so slowly that Gaudí has ​​been accused of irresponsibility. " My customer is in no hurry“, the mysterious Gaudi answers this.

The first donkeys and snails appear on the façade of the cathedral. To make casts of animals. Gaudí puts them to sleep with chloroform, coats them with fat and casts them before they can even wake up. The gutters are also made in the form of shells and snails. Gaudi does not imitate nature, he becomes nature itself, and, like her, he creates and grows his houses. It splashes the walls of buildings with waves, turning them into elements, and bends the roofs with dragon scales. The famous staircase, “Gaudi’s snail,” appears in the Sagrada Familia. He twists the steps in a spiral in such a way that it turns out to be a giant sea shell. " Endless rotation from the center outward is the only opportunity to constantly expand while remaining yourself. I know how to compress space into a point without making it smaller. Create infinity around a point».

In the center of the workers' village in Santa Coloma de Cervello (it was also called the Colony of Güell, since it was built with the money of this philanthropist), the architect created the famous Gaudí Crypt. This room was supposed to become a temple, but the master did not have time to complete the work. However, even a fragment of the plan that managed to come to fruition is a real masterpiece. A lot of things seem strange here. The church is threatening to collapse like a house of cards. It does not have a single support that is usual for any architectural building. Gaudi made the crypt support itself. He discovered new ways of supporting-free flooring. Cement was poured into a square iron mesh, under its weight the grate sagged, the cement hardened and an arch was formed. Gaudi called ordinary pointed arches “crutches”. Since childhood, he knew what crutches were for - to smooth out physical deficiencies. Gaudi managed to rid architecture of them. The architect took a specially prepared form, then carefully laid stone blocks along its contour, after which the form was removed - and not a single stone fell. And here’s the mystery: the more fragile its arches look, the stronger they turn out to be. Gaudi also designed the mitas for the crypt himself. These are amazingly comfortable pieces with curved lines and bone-shaped legs.

Science fiction writer Stanislav Lem wrote that in the 24th century, science will mix the gene of living and non-living things and chairs will grow in the forest, edible stools will grow in the garden beds, and chests of drawers will run across endless fields. Gaudi was given the opportunity to get ahead of the most fantastic future. Already in the 19th century, he learned to revive objects and adapt them to people.

Beauty care

Meanwhile, Gaudi is gradually changing. Once dressed in the latest fashion, the sociable Antonio becomes more and more immersed in his thoughts. He no longer orders clothes from the most fashionable tailors in Barcelona. Gradually, the master begins to lose interest in everything that is not related to his work, women, and friends. But he is becoming more and more religious.

Suddenly, at the very peak of his architectural career, Gaudí ceased to be interested in expensive private projects; he easily refused the most lucrative offers. Rumors spread around Barcelona - Gaudi really has a special customer, it is for him that he is building the Sagrada Familia, which is destined to become a stone Bible. This will be the case if construction is completed. The tallest tower (170 m) will personify Christ, the smaller tower will Virgin Mary, the other 12 towers are the 12 apostles. Three facades are three sacraments: the Birth, the Passion of Christ and the Resurrection. The cathedral will be crowned by a huge, luminous cross. Gaudi still doesn't have any drawings. By chance, on a construction site, he drops a phrase that can explain a lot: “ All architecture already exists in nature, you just need to look around. You can rush into the sky only by leaning on the ground. How strong is a sheer rock hanging over a deep abyss. The earth holds the stone, the stone holds the earth. An unbreakable alliance of giants. Mountain lines hide the secret of strength».

Gaudi often visited the monastery on Montserrat. He dissolved in the sounds of the mass, the choir sang, and something happened to the architect. It is not known for certain, but they say that once forty-two-year-old Gaudi came out after mass and stood silently on the mountain for a long time, as if he himself had turned to stone, plunging into a trance so deeply that he even fell into Sopor. There is a version that during one of his pilgrimages to Montserrat, Gaudi had some kind of spiritual experience that he did not dare to talk about. Gaudi probably made some decision then. He told everyone that from now on he would work only on religious orders, and if he was offered work on a secular project, he would have to ask permission from the Madonna of Montserrat. It was not possible to obtain any other details from the architect.

Sweet apple of discord

And yet, two more private projects were destined to see the light of day. Detractors quipped: “The master, apparently, needed the money so much that Madonna gave the go-ahead.” Let us hasten to disappoint them. Gaudi spent all the income from these projects on the construction of the Sagrada Familia, as well as all his savings. Considering that Gaudi was the most fashionable architect in Barcelona, ​​the funds were considerable. Barcelona - the quarter of discord: strange name, which can be translated both as “quarter” and “apple”, appeared due to the fact that the houses of four of the best modernist architects are located on the streets of this part of the city. Casa Batllo, which Gaudi built here, was called the “House of Bones”.

The result of the architect's work shocked many Barcelona residents. People still don't know how to react to it. This is not a house, but Living being, defeated dragon. The back of the lizard is struck by a spire with a cross - this is the sword of St. George, the patron saint of Barcelona. In the morning sun, the mosaic scales shimmer as if the flesh were in agony beneath it. A comment from Gaudí himself has been preserved: “ The building will have no corners. The sun will illuminate the house from all four sides, and all this will be close to our idea of ​​​​paradise».

Another famous building is Casa Mila, a house nicknamed "The Quarry". Gaudi twisted, bent and broke stone walls as he pleased. This planning principle was used in architecture for the first time. Now we call it open plan. Gaudi explained that the external forms of Casa Mila merge with the contours of the mountains surrounding Barcelona. The funnel-like courtyards are rock crevices, the rooms are moss growing wild on the rock. The roof of the house is a heavenly forest. It was conceived as a walking terrace. Residents walked through the sky forest, where fancy chimneys were built instead of trees. Gaudn made the stone rose on the facade himself, but first brought the mason to tears when he demanded from him not just a rose, but “the idea of ​​a rose.” The poor guy never understood what the master wanted from him.

Casa Mila was built as an ordinary residential building, but Gaudi conceived it as a double of Mount Montserrat and wanted to give it special meaning. He managed to achieve such a play of light and shadow on the facade that the illusion of movement is created, and, if you look closely, it seems that the house is swaying. Having completed these projects, Gaudi worked only on the temple, moving into a workshop. He felt sorry for wasting time on the way home. The Sagrada Familia replaced his home, sleep, bread and water. Gaudi spoke of the temple as a living being and called it his family. The architect forgot to drink and eat, his only suit was so worn out that it looked more like beggar's rags. When construction stopped, the architect rushed around the city in search of money and did not hesitate to even ask for alms. The townspeople whispered: “Gaudi’s mysterious customer still began to rush him...”

Unexpectedly for everyone, the master made the first sketches temple complex. Changing his usual manner, Gaudí created a large number of sketches, models and casts. All this was intended for the future architects of the Sagrada Familia. Gaudi seemed to know that he would not have time to complete the temple. He needed to pass on knowledge to those who would come later. It will be a place like a forest, soft light will pour through window openings located at different heights, and it will seem to you that it is the stars shining. One has only to throw back one’s head, and the columns of the temple will become giant trees, on the crowns of which the heavenly light will freeze—light turned into shadow. Clouds are the only opportunity to look at the sun; their variability frames the solar constancy. Any architectural form is born on the verge of light and shadow. Gaudi installed the Towers of the Nativity contrary to all the then known laws of strength of strength, explaining that this would help the wind passing through the holes to sound like a real choir. One poet asked: “Are you creating an organ for the Lord?” The architect nodded in agreement. His task was to make the wind resonate so that the music of creation could be heard in the temple.

Another time, the bishop asked why Gaudí was worried about finishing the spiers and roofs, because no one would see them. " Monsignor, - Gaudi's answers, - angels will look at them!»

Gaudi managed to finish only one of the three facades - the Nativity façade. All his models and drawings were subsequently destroyed. During times civil war The architect's workshop burned down, but by some miracle the construction of the temple continues, although the cathedral is still far from completion - Gaudi left too many mysteries for engineers and architects. It took decades before engineers found a way to make calculations for further work, and the only program capable of fulfilling them was the NASA program. But Gaudí's beloved child continues to grow even after his death. Like a huge magnet, the cathedral attracts millions of people from all over the world. And now it’s no longer hers great father, and the structure itself continues to dictate its will. Like medieval cathedrals, the Sagrada Familia was built only by voluntary donations. It is being built by representatives of different countries, different nations and even different religions. They say that whoever creates even one small detail for the Sagrada Familia will never be able to stop.

On June 7, 1926, a short, poorly dressed man came out of the church. He smiled at the kids and wandered towards the street. He didn't look around anymore. A pedestrian, carried away by his thoughts, fell under a tram. The first tram launched in Barcelona.

No one recognized the famous architect in the poor tramp. Gaudi lay on the pavement for several hours before, bleeding, he was finally taken to the Santa Cruz hospital for the poor: no one wanted to carry a bloody old man in their car. Three days later Gaudi died.

The newspapers were full of headlines: “There is no genius in Barcelona!”, “A saint has died in Barcelona!” The funeral procession stretched for several kilometers. Gaudi rests in the crypt of the Sagrada Familia. Eyewitnesses swore that on the day of his funeral in Barcelona even the stones cried, and at the time of the funeral, the towers of the cathedral bowed their heads mournfully.

In 2003, the Vatican began the process of canonization of the great Catalan architect Antonio Gaudi.

The world-famous Catalan architect Antonio Gaudi (1852-1926) managed to create 18 masterpieces, which for many decades have been considered the pinnacle of an innovative and unique style. To this day, some consider his fantastic constructions to be ingenious, while others consider them simply crazy. The bulk of these works are located in the master’s native Barcelona, ​​which became not only his home, but also a kind of strange laboratory in which Gaudi conducted amazing architectural experiments.

Although it is generally accepted that the Spanish architect worked in the Art Nouveau style, it is impossible to fit his projects into the framework of any movement at all. He lived and created according to rules that only he understood, adhering to incomprehensible laws, so all the master’s work is better classified as “Gaudi style.”

Today we will get acquainted with several of his masterpieces, which are rightfully considered the pinnacle of architectural art. In fairness, it should be noted that out of 18 of his projects, seven were included by UNESCO in the list of World Heritage Sites!

1. Casa Vicens (1883-1885), the first project of Antoni Gaudí

The Vicens residence, the first independent creation of the architect, was created by order of the wealthy industrialist Manuel Vicens. The house is still the main decoration of Carolines Street (Carrer de les Carolines), considered the most striking and unusual landmark of Barcelona, ​​which is included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.

This house was built in the Art Nouveau style and forms a four-level architectural ensemble in which even the most small parts play an important role.

Since Gaudi was a supporter of natural motifs and drew inspiration from them, every element of this unusual house was a reflection of his preferences.

Floral motifs are present everywhere, from the forged fencing, as well as the facade itself, to the interior. The creator's favorite images were yellow marigolds and palm leaves.

The structure of the Vicens house itself, including its decoration, shows the influence of oriental architecture. The decor of the entire unusual complex is made in the Moorish Mudejar style. It is clearly evident in the design of the Muslim turrets on the roof and in some details of the luxurious interior decoration.

2. Pavillons Guell

For Count Eusebi Güell, who after this grandiose project became not only the patron of the great master, but also a friend, Antonio Gaudi created an extraordinary estate, which is better known as the Güell Pavilions (1885-1886).

Fulfilling the count's order, the extraordinary architect not only carried out a complete reconstruction of the summer country estate with the improvement of the park and the creation of stables and an indoor arena, but combined all these ordinary buildings so that they turned into a fairy-tale complex.

When creating these pavilions, Antonio was the first to use a special technology - trencadis, which consists in using pieces of ceramic or glass to cover the facade irregular shape. By covering the surfaces of all rooms with the same pattern in a special way, he achieved an amazing resemblance to dragon scales.

3. City residence Guell (Palau Guell)

This fantastic project for his friend Antonio Gaudi in 1886-1888 is an unusual palace that the master managed to create on an area of ​​less than 400 square meters!

Knowing the owner’s main desire to amaze the city’s elite with the luxury of his home, the architect masterfully developed a very unusual project, which made it possible to create a truly extraordinary and fabulously rich castle. His style mixed centuries-old traditions, innovative techniques and ideas, which he applied with equal success in subsequent complexes.

The main highlight of this architecturally interesting palace is the chimneys, which look like bright, outlandish sculptures. Such splendor was achieved thanks to cladding with fragments of ceramics and natural stone.

The gables and roof terrace, which is designed for spectacular walks, delight visitors with incredible views of the city and " magic garden”, created and amazing stove tubes.

4. Parc Guell

The project of the unusual Park Güell (1903-1910) was conceived in an effort to create a garden city, as a counterbalance to the growing industrialization of the country and protection from its dire consequences.

The huge plot was bought by the count for these purposes, but the townspeople did not support the author’s idea and instead of 60 houses, only three exhibition copies were built. Over time, the city bought these lands and turned them into a recreation park, where amazing gingerbread houses architect Antonio Gaudi.

Since an elite village was planned here, Gaudi created not only all the necessary communications, but also planned picturesque streets and squares. The most striking structure was the “100 Columns” hall, to which a special staircase leads, and on the roof there is a stunningly bright bench that completely encircles the contours of the complex.

This garden city still delights its visitors with its extraordinary architecture and decoration; it is also included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.

5. Casa Batllo

Casa Batlló (1904-1906) resembles an ominous dragon figure, which is lined with mosaic scales and is able to change its color depending on the time of day. As soon as it is not called - “house of bones”, “dragon house”, “yawning house”.

And really, looking at its strange balconies, window grilles, pediments and a roof that resembles the back of a dragon, you will get rid of the impression that these are the remains of a huge monster!

Creating a fantastic patio, to improve and uniform illumination, he achieved a play of chiaroscuro by laying out ceramic tiles in a special way - gradually moving from white to blue and dark blue.

According to tradition, the roof of the house was decorated with its outlandish chimney towers.

6. Casa Mila - Pedrera (Casa Mila)

This is the last residential building created by the great architect. It is better known as “La Pedrera”, which means “the quarry”. He is considered the most incredible project residential building not only throughout Barcelona, ​​but throughout the world.

Initially, the masters did not accept this creation and considered it complete madness. Incredibly, Antonio and the owner of this building were even fined for non-compliance with existing urban planning regulations.

Over time, they got used to it and even began to consider it a brilliant creation, because during construction, without any calculations or designs, the architect managed to introduce technologies that were several decades ahead of their time.
Only a hundred years later, similar technology was developed by design institutes and began to be actively used in ultra-modern construction.

7. Cathedral of the Holy Family (Temple Expiatori De La Sagrada Familia)

The brilliant architect devoted the last forty years of his life to bringing his most unrealistic fantasy to life - enclosing the characters of parables and the main commandments of the New Testament in stone.

Its design is dominated by surreal gothic style, the walls are decorated with images of saints and all sorts of creatures of God, from turtles, salamanders, snails to forests, starry sky and the entire Universe.

Tall columns and unusual paintings decorate the interior of the temple (Temple Expiatori De La Sagrada Familia).

However, the construction of such a large-scale cathedral is still ongoing. Since the architect kept all the drawings and plans in his head, it took years to continue construction to make such complex calculations. Incredibly, only NASA’s program, which calculates the trajectory of space projects, could cope with this task!

Thanks to extraordinary architects, even in our time, unique buildings are created, which can be considered pretentious in form.