Antoni Gaudi built and renovated some of the city's most beautiful buildings. This short Lonely Planet video offers some background information about it all.
Self-study activity:
Watch the video and answer the questions below about it.
The activity is suitable for Básico 2 and Intermedio 1 students.
1 What art movement did Gaudi pioneer?
2 When did the construction of La Sagrada Familia begin?
3 What can you see in the crypt of the cathedral?
4 What are the nicknames of Casa Batlló?
5 What inspired Casa Milà?
6 Where in Casa Milà can you find 'giant medieval knights'?
7 How is Park Güell defined?
To check your answers you can read the transcript below.
For centuries Spanish architects have unleashed their fantasies in Barcelona, but none have left their mark on this city quite like Antoni Gaudi. The pioneer of the modernist movement designed and built some of the most popular landmarks in Barcelona.
Gaudi’s unfinished masterpiece, La Sagrada Familia cathedral, is now Spain’s most visited tourist site. Construction on this Roman Catholic cathedral began in 1892 and Gaudi worked on it for most of his professional life, until his death in 1926. It’s still a building site to this day, but visitors can explore the cathedral’s completed sections. Once you enter the building, the eyes are drawn irresistibly upwards by the forest of tree-like pillars. Head to the museum in the crypt. To view the notes, photos and models of the cathedral that Gaudi left behind.
Casa Batlló is an apartment block Gaudi renovated in the early 20th century. Locals know it as the house of the dragon or house of bones, and it’s not hard to see why.
Close-by is Casa Milà, an apartment building completed in the early 1900s. It was given the nickname ‘La Pedrera’ or the stone quarry by the bemused locals, as they watched Gauidi build it. Gaudi was inspired by the sea. The grey stone façade resembles a cliff face sculpted by waves and its wrought iron balconies the look-like sea weed. At the roof, you’ll encounter ventilation towers, shaped like giant medieval knights.
Park Güell is Gaudi’s fantasy garden showcasing his characteristic prior to Gothic, Islamic and Art Nouveau styles. Past the multi-coloured lizard, the mosaic benches as you head to the viewing deck for a bird’s eye view of the city.
