The most striking buildings in Barcelona

Barcelona is one of the most beautiful and cosmopolitan cities, not only in Europe, but also in the world. Tourists come from all over to admire the beauty of its streets, relax by the sea or visit the beautiful mountain range. The city is marked by a huge cultural legacy, art and architecture play a predominant part both in its current culture and its historical heritage. It contains some of the most famous buildings in Spain, such as the expiatory temple of the Sagrada Familia, Casa Batlló or Park Güell by Antoni Gaudí.

Here are some of the main buildings you need to see when you are out there…

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Sagrada Familia

Most people who visit Barcelona are especially interested in the architecture of Gaudí, in particular the Sagrada Familia. A building in which only the crypt, the apse, part of the facade of the Nativity and the tower of St. Barnabas were completed during the life of the architect.

The Casa Batlló is a complete reconstruction of an earlier building by Emilio Sala Cortés, here you can see the organic and naturalistic side of Gaudí, with a façade reminiscent of the sea waves and decorated with its famous trencadís.

Park Güell displays Gaudi’s fondness for curves and waves, and is a location filled with the beauty of nature, art and breathtaking colours. It is well worth a visit.

Built by the architect Josep Puig i Cadafalch between 1898 and 1900, Casa Amatller is a modernist building adjoining the Casa Batlló. It was commissioned by the chocolate entrepreneur Antoni Amatller. The house has a flat and lineal facade, a central courtyard and a staircase leading to the main rooms.

Palau de la Música Catalana is a music auditorium created by the Barcelonian Lluís Domènech i Montaner, one of the greatest architects of Catalan modernism. It was created between 1905 and 1908, with great walls of crystal, sculpture, mosaics and forging works.

Beyond the universe of modernism we can find other buildings like the Torre Agbar, called that way due to the acronym of ‘Aguas de Barcelona’, waters of Barcelona, although its real name is Torre Glòries. This skyscraper is 145 meters in height and has an impressive 38 floors making it the third tallest building in Barcelona. This architect was Jean Nouvel in association with the Spanish firm b720 Fermín Vázquez Arquitectos.

Lastly, you can’t miss the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia. It’s a Gothic cathedral and a pivotal piece in the archiepiscopal of Barcelona. It was constructed during the centuries XIII to XV, although its facade is much more recent, of XIX century. This cathedral was built over the old Romanesque cathedral, which was preceded by a Visigothic church and a Paleo-Christian basilica.