Modernist Architecture in Spain

Your trip abroad to study architecture that came out of the Modernist movement of Spain begins in the beautiful seaside city of Barcelona. After checking into your lodgings, your group will visit the famous La Rambla street. This street is full of art by the likes of Joan Miró and Antoni Gaudí as well as many shops and restaurants. Your visit is also a great opportunity to volunteer your time at Caritas Diocese or the Tamaia Home for abused women, NGOs that work to empower women. You can donate your time and resources to help women escape from abusive relationships by offering them a safe place to stay while they rebuild their lives.   

Today you will visit the famous Park Güell, commissioned by the Spanish businessman Eusebi Güell and designed by the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. It was intended it to be a housing development, but the project has remained incomplete, with only two houses ever built. Gaudí purchased one himself and lived there with his family until his death in 1926. Your group will tour this home, known as the Gaudí House Museum. The park has many areas to walk through and explore, so wear comfy shoes!

Today your Barcelona morning will begin bright and early, with a delicious breakfast before your group heads out to visit two of Antoni Gaudi’s most famous buildings, quintessential examples of what Catalan Modernism is. The first is Casa Mila, also known as La Pedrera. Built from 1906 to 1912, Gaudi designed it as a private residence for Pere Milà and Roser Segimón. The first floor was intended to serve as their home, leaving the upper floors to be rented out as income properties. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1984, it’s now open for tours. 

The next place on the agenda is Casa Batlló, also designed by Gaudi in 1904. Once a private home, the rooms today are rented out for activities and parties. The last stop is the beautiful Plaça de Catalunya, located in the city’s heart. How about a delicious seafood paella to end the day’s activities? 

Today your tour of Barcelona’s Modernisme architecture continues with a visit to the Palau de la Música Catalana. Created by the architect Lluís Domènech i Montane, it was built from 1905 to 1908. It is still in use as a concert hall, and choral performances and concerts are regularly held there. The next stop is the Poble Espanyol. It was the brainchild of the Catalan architect Puig Cadafalch and realized by architects Francesc Folguera and Ramon Reventós, art critic Miquel Utrillo, and painter Xavier Nogués. They built it for the 1929 Barcelona International Exposition, and the museum houses 117 full-scale buildings that recreate Spanish villages. It also contains a theater, restaurants, artisan workshops and a Museum of Contemporary Art.

Your group will focus today on sites created by the most famous architect of the Modernisme Movement, Antoni Gaudí. The first stop is at Palau Güell, a mansion Gaudí designed for the Spanish tycoon Eusebi Güell. Built from 1886 to 1888, it is one of the architect’s earliest big projects. The next stop is the Casa Vicens, created by Gaudí in 1883. Today it serves as a museum. Finally, your group will visit the magnificent Sagrada Familia. Gaudí took over the project in 1883, and by the time he passed away in 1926, only a quarter of the building had been completed. It has remained a work in progress over the last 93 years, having been delayed many times. In 2015 it entered its final phase of construction and it is scheduled to be finished by 2026, the centennial of Gaudí’s death.  

Your final day in Barcelona begins with a tour of the Gran Teatre del Liceu. Located in La Rambla, Miquel Garriga iRoca designed it, and it first opened its doors on April 4, 1847. After touring the wonderful interiors, your group will visit the Casa Amatller, designed by the architect Josep Puig i Cadafalch for the chocolatier Antoni Amatller. It’s located in the Illa de la Discòrdia, where your group can also admire the Casa Lleó Morera, Casa Mulleras, Casa Bonet, and Casa Batlló.  

After breakfast, your group can do some last-minute shopping or sightseeing before making the trip back home.