This is the perfect opportunity to immerse in a fascinating cultural experience. The tour starts with a walk along Paseo de Gracia, where you will have the opportunity to admire some of Gaudi’s iconic landmarks: Casa Batllo and Casa Milla. You will get a comprehensive perspective over the famous architect’s work and you will also visit some of the most impressive landmarks of Catalonia’s capital. A tour of the Picasso Museum will be a refreshing ending of this sightseeing day.
Casa Milla
The most impressive residential building signed by Gaudi, Casa Milla (also know as La Pedrera) is the architect’s last project before his mind got entirely occupied by his lifetime project – La Sagrada Familia.
The impressive modernist building stands on a street corner, overlooking the avenue with its wavy profile. Enclosing two circular interior courtyards, Casa Milla, which has been an item of UNESCO World Heritage List since 1984, does not include any linear wall.
The wrought iron balconies’ design is signed Josep Maria Jujol, but it follows Gaudi’s style, taking inspiration from the natural world. The roof featuring many Barcelona postcards displays a set of strange chimneys called “espantabruixes” (witches scarecrows).
Casa Batllo
Part of Illa de la Discórdia (the most famous group of modernist buildings in Barcelona, made up of four contrasting items), Casa Batllo is another iconic building that Gaudi designed. In fact, he only took care of the renovation works, but his visionary mind succeeded to provide the landmark with a completely different look.
The wrought iron balconies bear skull adornments, while the roof is an allegory of Catalonia’s patron, Saint George’s fight with the dragon. After having admired the whimsical façade, push the entrance door to get a glimpse at the blue-tiled entrance hall.
Park Güell
The tour’s next stop will continue your discovery of Gaudi’s genius.
A project sponsored by the businessman with the same name, Park Güell is an architectural gem. Although it was originally intended to become an exclusivist oasis of the rich, the project, whose construction lasted 14 years (1900-1914) was never completed.
It become the municipality’s property and has been opened to the public since 1923. A staircase symmetrically surrounding the sculpture of the salamander (which became the emblem of the garden and even of the city) begins right after you enter the park.
The area’s main attraction is a huge oval square of 3000 square meters, lined with a 110 meters long bench whose shape remembers the movements of a snake.
You can rest for a while on it, looking around and admiring the ceramics ornaments, the 84 sculpted columns such as Pórtico de la lavandera and the strange shapes of Viaducto de los enamorados. The esplanade also provides a nice panoramic view over the city.
La Sagrada Familia
Afterwards, you will head towards Gaudi’s masterpiece – La Sagrada Familia. The unfinished utopian cathedral, whose towers overlook the city, is the most visited landmark in Barcelona.
The guide will provide you will all the information you need on Gaudi’s vision, on the difficulties he encountered and on the ulterior amendments brought to this monumental project.
Entrance fees are not included in the tour’s price. We strongly advise you to purchase your Sagrada Familia Tickets in advance as only this way you can skip the very long line.
Santa Maria del Mar
After a visit to Barcelona’s Monumental Bull Ring, you will discover the beautiful 14th century Church of Santa Maria del Mar.
Originally built as a place of worship for merchants and shipowners, it constitutes one of the finest examples of the Catalan Gothic architecture.
Admire the straight lines of the façade, its extremely spacious nave with majestic octagonal columns and the stained glass windows, all designed by the architect Berenguer de Montagut.
Picasso Museum
The tour ends in the proximity of the Picasso Museum, where you can trace the evolution of Pablo Picasso’s artistic career.
Stretching itself on three medieval palaces (Palau Berenguer d’Aguilar, Palau Baró de Castellet and Palau Meca), the Picasso Museum’s exhibition is organized into three departments. The first deals with the artist’s paintings and drawings, including the impressive Meninas series of 44 paintings derived from Velázquez’s masterpiece.
The second division includes his engravings and the third one deals with ceramics. These were given to the museum by Jacqueline, the famous painter’s widow.
Practical details of Barcelona artistic tour
Duration: 4 hours 30 min
Price: from 57 $
Departure Time: 3:30 PM
Ending: near the Picasso museum at approx. 8 PM
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