Barcelona - In Gaudi's Footsteps
Antoni Gaudi was an architect born in 1852, and whose work has left an indelible footprint the architecture and style of Barcelona. In Gaudi's Footsteps is an amazing walk through the streets of Barcelona visiting some of Gaudi's major work whilst taking in the sites and sounds of this amazing city. The main walk will start at Park Guell and is largely downhill and is an easy walk when you spread it across the day.
The Park Guell features a significant number of Gaudi artworks and landscape features, most days there are musicians and artists working in the park. The hill is situated on Carmel Hill and overlooks Barcelona. The Monumental Zone shows the best of Gaudi's work within the park. e recommend you buy your tickets online as this will save you time and allow you to avoid the queues. Close to the entrance of the park, about a 100 metres walk, is the Gaudi Experiencia. this museum will provide a deep insight into the Gaudi and the amazing impact he had on the city of Barcelona.
Casa Vicens was the first of Antoni Gaudi's masterpieces and you can get a sense of the creative genius that he was to become. This house is now a museum and cultural space. The surrounding gardens were inspired by Mediterranean flora and fauna.
In 1887, a community of nuns from the Order of Saint Teresa of Jesus decided to build a school in Sant Gervasi de Cassoles, a village in the north of Barcelona. When Gaudí took over the project, he altered the actual structure of the building and left his own highly personal imprint on the ensemble. Col.legi de Les Teresianes is probably more austere than many of Gaudi's other buildings, however Gaudi's genius is evident in many of the features of the building.
La Sagrad Familia is Gaudi's most famous building, and has become one of the most recognised buildings in the world. The temple has become a symbol of Barcelona. The building has been under design and construction since 1883 and is a great example of Gaudi's devotion and faith. The work continues on the temple as tourist wander around in awe at the beauty of this amazing space. Access to La Sagrad Familia is best done by buying tickets online, long queues at the ticket office and entrance can await the unprepared.
Casa Mila (or La Pedrera) and Casa Batlo are two of the better known Gaudi buildings and showcase his creative and design genius. These two building while distinctly different, bring to light Gaudi's influence on the modernist architecture. Take time to wander through these amazing buildings.
The Journey
Catch the metro to Lesseps (L3) and walk to wards Placa de Lesseps, turn right at the plaza and walk along the Travessera de Dalt. Follow the Travesse until you reach Carrer de Larrard, turn left and walk all the way to the top of the street. At the top you will find the entrance to Park Guell on the right.
After strolling around the park and enjoying the amazing Gaudi creations head back down Carrer de Larrard to the Gaudi Experiencia, this is a short walk of about 100 metres.
Follow the route back towards Lesseps and continue you passed the Metro station to Carrer de les Carolines and turn right down Carolines. Walk about 75 metres down the street and Casa Vicens is opposite Carrer d'Aulestia i Pijoan.
Leaving Casa Vicens return along Carolines, back the way you came, but continue on until you reach Carrer del Torrent de l'Olla and turn right down Carrer del Torrent de l'Olla. Turn left into Travessera de Gracia. Teresianes is on the corner of Carrer de Napols.
Leaving Teresianes continue in the same direction down Trevessera de Gracia until Carrer de la Marina, turn right down Marina and the Sagrada Familia is about 400 meters down this street.
Leaving La Sagrada Familia head along Carrer de Mallorca, you should walk past La Sacrada Familia, with it on you left. Follow Mallorca until you reach Passeig de Gracia. At Passeig de Gracia the Casa Mila is to the left about 120 meters.
Leaving Casa Mila head back the way came along the Passeig de Gracia, Casa Batlo is just after Carrer d'Arago on the opposite side of the Passeig de Gracia. Following Casa Batlo, continue down the Passeig de Gracia to Placa de Catalunya where there are plenty of metro stops.