Come with us as we take a tour through one of the world’s most inspirational cities for modernist architecture, Barcelona.
From its iconic Gaudi masterpieces to its sleek contemporary structures and everything in between, this Spanish city has it all.
Arguably one of the world’s most beautiful cities, Barcelona is a place that’s full of color, different architectural shapes, and interesting textures.
The Catalan capital has long been a place where styles and influences have come and gone, mixing and melting with each other since it was settled during ancient Roman times.
Famous for its beautiful tiles which adorn the interior of the city’s buildings, Barcelona reflects the region’s diverse culture, nodding to its past and remaining optimistic about its future.
Park Guell
Park Guell. Picture: Getty
Park Guell is a public park which opened in Barcelona in 1926 and was designed by Spain’s most famous architect, Antoni Gaudi.
Imaginative, colorful, whimsical and organic, the structure, which looks north over the city, is a favorite spot for residents and visitors to meet.
In 1984, UNESCO declared the park a World Heritage site under “Works of Antoni Gaudí”.
Sagrada Familia
The ceiling of the Sagrada Familia church. Picture: Creative Commons
The Sagrada Familia church towers over the nearby buildings, a striking example of Catalan modernist architecture – though some have described it as Gothic and Art Nouveau.
While work on the building is still occurring, UNESCO declared the nativity scene on the facade of the church a World Heritage site.
Fundació Joan Miró
Fundació Joan Miró. Picture: Creative Commons
Barcelona’s art school, Joan Miro’s Centre of Studies of Contemporary Art, is a spot where lucky students get to attend their daily art classes.
Designed by artist Josep Lluís Sert and opening in 1975, the building was conceived by painter, sculptor, and ceramic artist Joan Miro as a space for students to study and be inspired.
Santa Caterina Market
Barcelona’s oldest covered market, built in 1848, received a modern makeover between 1997 and 2005 with a new roof.
Typical of this eclectic city’s style, the roof is multi colored with tiles that mirror the shades of the fruit and vegetables found within the market.
Undertaken by Enric Miralles and Benedetta Tagliabue of EMBT Associated Architects with the roof designed by artist Toni Comella.
Torre Agbar
Torre Agbar. Picture: Getty
The 38-storey Torre Agbar, located in the Poblenou neighborhood of Barcelona, is named after its owners – the Agbar Group – and was finished in 2005.
Designed by architect Jean Nouvel, Torre Agbar’s shape is meant to imitate a rising geyser and was inspired by Montserrat, a mountain near Barcelona.
Originally published as Barcelona’s mind-blowing modern architecture by Erinna Giblin, Author at realestate.com.au
