19 awe-inspiring photos of Antoni Gaudí's magical architecture

Zoë EttingerMay 26, 2020, 22:47 IST

Inside the church ceiling of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.Nikada/Getty Images

Antoni Gaudí was a Spanish architect who lived from 1852 to 1926.
His highly original works are mainly in Barcelona, Spain, and are some of the country's most famous attractions.
Seven of his works are UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Antoni Gaudí was born in Catalonia, Spain, and from a young age showed a strong interest in architecture. He went on to study the subject in Barcelona, the city that would become home to his most famous works.

Gaudí's architectural style is inspired by nature, and many of his works reflect plant and animal life, like his famous mosaic dragon at the entrance of Park Güell in Barcelona.

"The Works of Antoni Gaudí" is UNESCO's reference to seven of his works: Park Güell, Palau Güell, Casa Milà, Casa Vicens, the Sagrada Família, Casa Batlló, and Colónia Güell.

Take a look at the exteriors and interiors of these seven magical works by Gaudí.

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Antoni Gaudí lived from 1852 to 1926. Tragically, he died after being hit by a tram.

Antoni Gaudí, circa 1882. Apic/Getty Images

One of Gaudí's most famous works is the Sagrada Família, which he was still constructing at the time of his death. It remains unfinished.

Outside the Sagrada Família in Barcelona, Spain. ValeryEgorov/Getty Images

The Sagrada Família was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1984.

Inside the church ceiling of the Sagrada Família in Barcelona, Spain. Nikada/Getty Images

The Sagrada Família was once a cathedral, but was declared a basilica by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010.

The Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain. Frank Bienewald/Getty Images

Gaudí wanted the Sagrada Família to represent nature's architecture, with winding staircases rather than traditional straight ones.

Winding stairs in the Sagrada Familia. Nikada/Getty Images

Park Güell also became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1984. Construction began in 1900 and was never fully completed.

Park Güell, Barcelona, Spain. MasterLu/Getty Images

The park was originally commissioned by Count Eusebi Güell, who hired Gaudí to create a miniature city of houses.

Park Güell, Barcelona, Spain. Doble D/Getty Images

Normally, the park is extremely popular, and access to the central area is limited to 400 people at a time, according to Lonely Planet.

A mosaic dragon in Park Güell, Barcelona, Spain. Jeangill/Getty Images

Palau Güell was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1984. It was another one of Gaudí's works commissioned by Eusebi Güell.

Outside Palau Güell, Barcelona, Spain. Murat Taner/Getty Images

Palau Güell has 30,677 square feet over seven floors.

Palau Güell, Barcelona, Spain. Frédéric Soltan:Corbis via Getty Images

Casa Batlló was also declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1984. Gaudí reconstructed one of his teacher's buildings to create it.

Casa Batlló on Passeig de Gracia in Barcelona, Spain. Nikada/Getty Images

Casa Batlló uses natural light to illuminate the entire building.

Casa Batlló in Barcelona, Spain. narvikk/Getty Images

Much of the interior of Casa Batlló is created using mosaic tiles, which Gaudí liked for their sustainability.

Inside Casa Batlló, Barcelona, Spain. Eva-Katalin/Getty Images

Casa Milà was also declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1984. It was constructed between 1906 and 1912.

Casa Milà, Barcelona, Spain. Starcevic/Getty Images

Casa Milà was one of Gaudí's last works before he dedicated himself entirely to the Sagrada Família.

Casa Milà, Barcelona, Spain. studio laska/Getty Images

The hallways are decorated with oil paintings showing designs of flowers and mythology.

Inside Casa Milà, Barcelona, Spain. Sylvain Sonnet/Getty Images

Casa Vicens was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2005, and was the first building Gaudí completed.

Casa Vicens, Barcelona. Artur Debat/Getty Images

Casa Vicens' design is a blend of oriental, neoclassical, gothic, Christian, and Moorish influences.

Inside Casa Vicens, Barcelona, Spain. momo11353/Getty Images

Colónia Güell was also commissioned by Eusebi Güell, who was moving his textile mill to Santa Coloma de Cervelló.

The church crypt in Colónia Güell. I love photography/Getty Images

Colónia Güell was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2005. It was constructed between 1890 and 1914.

Outside Colónia Güell, Santa Coloma de Cervelló, Spain. tetra_angel/Getty Images

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