Unique buildings
The colour and fantasy of the Casa Batlló captivates passers-by on the Passeig de Gràcia. Standing halfway up this elegant boulevard and in a strongly contrasting style to the neighbouring houses, the Casa Amatller and Casa Lleó Morera, Gaudí’s building reveals the splendour of an architect who was able to work on this project with total creative freedom, Antoni Gaudí.
This small Romanesque church along the Carrer de Sant Pau is a haven of peace, away from the noise and bustle of Barcelona’s Raval neighbourhood. Its thick stone walls enshrine the mysteries and wonders of a primitive architectural style steeped in symbolism which tells us about the past when convents dotted the Barcelona landscape.
The Sagrada Família is Antoni Gaudí’s best-known work and has become an undisputed symbol of Barcelona. Extravagant, ambitious and controversial, this unique modern temple has been under construction since 1882, and is expected to be completed by 2030.
Strangely enough, the Palau de la Música Catalana, the so-called “building that epitomises Catalan art nouveau” wasn’t designed by Gaudí, but by his contemporary Lluís Domènech i Montaner (Barcelona, 1850-1923). This concert hall in Barcelona, which is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an artistic landmark of outstanding beauty and a highly prestigious music venue.
The TNC, Teatre Nacional de Catalunya, is located in Barcelona’s Eixample. It is housed in an imposing building in the shape of a Greek temple designed by Ricard Bofill. It comprises three theatres, seating 900, 400 and 300 people respectively, which combine performances of Catalan and Spanish plays and world classics, with contemporary dance and drama.
