CB-Come With Me: A Gaudi Day!

September 20^th. A Gaudi Day!

Antoni Gaudi was an architect in the later part of the 1800’s. He is thought have been one of the greatest influences in modern architect, changing the way and breaking the box for new and creative thinking. He was only 26 when he graduated as an architect. It is said, when his professors awarded him his Architecture degree they said, we don’t know if we are awarding this degree to a genius or a madman. Within 5 years he was designing magnificent homes for Spain’s wealthiest people, churches, cathedrals, schools…

Barcelona is resplendent with his works and his influence is evident throughout the work of other architects and artists.

One such building is The Pedrera. It was a home commissioned by a very wealthy family and consisted of a main floor with businesses, several stories of apartments that were rented out and a huge family apartment for the owner.

Gaudi's style was influenced by nature, using soft, curved flowing lines. The balconies has railing of iron that mirrored nature and plants.

On the roof, the mechanical systems were housed inside elaborate statues making them beautiful as well as functional.

Gaudi's biggest project and, perhaps obsession, was the Sagarda Familia, a massive undertaking. This church or basilica was began in 1882. Gaudi worked on it for 40 years before his death. It continues to be built totally on donations and money raised from the tours of its breathtaking interior. It has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

At its present state the basilica has four towering spires rising well above any other building in Barcelona. However when completed there will be 7 more, even higher, towers. One central one will be Jesus, one will represent Mary, and the others will encircle Jesus.

Spain plans to have it complete by 2026, the 100th anniversary of Gaudi's death.

For the last years of his life Gaudi lived in a bare apartment on the site, dedicated to only his work. He became very religious and left only to go to mass twice a day. It is said, one day he set off but went the wrong way and ended up in a bar, where he got drunk and was hit by a train or a truck on his way home. Because he lived like a pauper, he was thought to be a derilect and was taken to the hospital for the poor where he died three days later, a very unfitting end for a brilliant man,

And finally as the day ends we make our way to a third of Gaudi's masterpieces, The Parc Guall. Here a beautiful parc overlooks the city toward the sea. Beautiful mosaic walls wind down through the park. Set within are several buildings in the signature Gaudi style.