A little while ago, I exchanged guests posts with Annie of Gambas and Grits. Check out her cool blog (and send her felicidades about her adorable new baby!) Anyway, I wrote The Insider’s Guide to Gaudí, before quickly realizing there was too much Gaudí goodness to fit into one post. You may have heard of all the places I mentioned in the first part, but here are some Gaudí works you may not be familiar with.
Palau Güell
This apartment is down by the port, and was under construction until recently. Like the more famous La Pedrera, the Palau Güell features a roof filled with medium-sized towers. These are colorful and feature fruit, animals, and lots more. It’s quite a contrast to the dark, twisted black exterior. I haven’t been inside this one yet, as I only recently discovered it had re-opened. It’s on my list though!
Photo retrieved CultureMaking
Insider tip? This one is free on the first Sunday of the month! But you have to go early to get your ticket.
Casa Vicens
Very close to Fontana metro station is a non-famous Gaudí house that’s actually…for sale. Yes, that’s right – you can buy your very own Gaudí house (theoretically, at least – the price tag may prove prohibitive). As you can’t go inside, seeing the outside should only take a little while. It’s pretty cool, and it’s not nearly as famous as his other works.
Insider tip? You can see this one as a potential buyer…if you have a few million euros lying around to spare. Kidding! I think it’s pretty hard to see the inside of this one unless you’re a millionaire. Still, I think it’s so cool to pretend I’m a millionaire surveying my future stomping grounds.
You can also see the inside by visiting the official website and going through their gallery, which has lots of high-quality images.
Casa Calvet
Yet another house, but you can go inside this one. This wasn’t actually originally designed as a house; it was a building for a textile manufacturer. It used to have boring office stuff but now….
By Enfo (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Insider tip: It’s got a restaurant and bar inside! I’ve never eaten there because it’s a bit out of my (cheap) budget, but it looks fabulous. Their website says it “combines the vanguardism of other great creators of our national cuisine with a certain influence from Asian cuisine.” I’m not sure what that tastes like, but I’d love to find out!
Small details – Parc de la Ciutadella & Plaça Reial
Gaudí isn’t responsible for either of these places, but he does have some smaller pieces there. As an architecture student, Gaudí worked with Josep Fontserè on the big fountain in the Parc de la Ciutadella, which is topped by golden horses.
Plaça Reial features one of Gaudí’s first projects – the lampposts! Take a close look at them, and you’ll start to notice some of the architect’s signature wild details.
Insider tip? Both of these places are great spots to relax in the middle of a busy day, so enjoy some down time there. A cold caña really completes the experience.
There is one more spot – the Colonia Güell, which is outside of Barcelona. If you want to find out more about it, go to Miss Mad About Travel’s fab post on it, because I really have nothing to add:
That’s the rest of the Gaudí spots that I’m familiar with in Barcelona. If you know of a secret spot that I’m missing, let me know!
Also, I’m off to a certain Spanish festival a little further south filled with parades, fireworks, and mayhem – any guesses where I might be? For some reason, I’ve decided to go at 6 a.m. and come back at 3 a.m., so I will probably not be responding to comments for a while as I recover! 🙂
Besos!
-Jess
Reblogged this on Sunny Villa Spain.
Some might think Gaudi’s works as too, well, gaudy. But for me they remarkably showcase his unlimited creativity.
I agree, he does crazy things with buildings that I never would have thought possible. Even if you don’t like them, they’re always at least interesting.
Never been to Palau Güell and didn’t know that’s free on the first sunday of the month… will try to make it on April. Have fun in Valencia!!! 😉
Thanks! I did. 🙂 I keep meaning to go to the Palau on the first of the month, but I haven’t made it yet. Maybe I’ll get there in April too.
I missed part one!! I have neglected my blog reading of late, just not enough hours in the day. hopefully I can get a little caught up while I’m in Florida visiting my mother next week. but wanted to say thanks for this post. Seeing more Gaudi is definitely on my list for our next visit to Barcelona.
Ooh have fun in Florida! You can find Part 1 as a guest post on Gambas & Grits.
When I visit Barcelona this next year during my time teaching in Spain, I will definitely use your insider’s guide and definitely try to visit Palau Güell on the first Sunday of the month! Thank you!
You’re welcome! I think you have to get there quite early on Sunday morning to get a ticket (which is why I haven’t made it yet haha). But it’s a great deal, it’s hard to see Gaudí for free.
Beautiful pictures! I visited Sagrada Familia, Parque Guell, and la Pedrera when I visited Barcelona in the very brief 2 days I was there. It would be great to visit these less famous places next time I go since I’ve pretty much done all the touristy Gaudi stuff.
Have fun at las Fallas! Still one Spanish tradition I’ve always wanted to do that I never got around to.
Thanks! I like all the less-famous places too because they’re not as packed with visitors.
The Fallas were fun, but I’m exhauuusted today. Hope you had a good weekend!
Nice post Jessica. I love Gaudi’s work, and would love to have heard what the conservatives said about it at the time. The chimney collage is great. And if I didn’t know better, I’d think one of his primary art tools was reefer. ~ James
Haha I wouldn’t be surprised! I think he upset everyone with his work – I remember hearing he wanted to put a massive statue of the Virgin Mary on top of one of his houses, but the not-so-religious people fought him not to do it.
Look at you – Te has vuelto una arquitecta!
I have not visited but I remember reading about Reus which is about an hour south of you.
The city of Reus has many edificios modernistas. It is the birthplace of architect Antoni Gaudí. It could make for an interesting day trip.
The town of Falset – not far from Reus – also has an interesting building designed by a disciple of Gaudí.
Ooh Reus sounds interesting! I’ve never been, but I’ll have to put it on my list. Haha I feel like I say that every five minutes here…but there are so many cool things to see!
So many pieces of artwork in and around BCN by Gaudi and I keep learning more and more. Thanks to educational post like this one!
Another reason to return to your adopted city!
You’re welcome! I think he led a pretty productive life, even if he didn’t get around to finishing the Sagrada Familia. 🙂
I wonder what the real estate ‘portfolio’ on the Gaudi house looks like. Does it list the number of toilets and guest bedrooms? 🙂
Haha you can actually see detailed blueprints on the house’s website if you really want a bedroom count. You know, just to be sure the one-of-a-kind Gaudí house will suit your exact needs before you splash out on it. 🙂
I love learning about the lesser known Gaudi buildings. Glad I found your blog. So far, Barcelona is my favourite city to have visited.
Glad you enjoyed it! BCN’s my favorite too 🙂