Ah, Barcelona! A city where whimsical architecture dances with Mediterranean sunlight, and every corner holds the promise of artistic wonder. When you think of Antoni Gaudí, images of the iconic Sagrada Família or the enchanting Park Güell might spring to mind. But what if I told you there’s a whole world of Gaudí’s genius waiting to be explored beyond these famous landmarks? Let’s embark on a journey through the lesser-known works of this modernist maestro, shall we?
Gaudí, the brilliant Catalan architect, left an indelible mark on Barcelona’s cityscape. His unique vision, inspired by nature and infused with a bold, innovative spirit, transformed the city into an open-air museum of modernist marvels. While his more famous works draw crowds from around the globe, his lesser-known creations offer a more intimate glimpse into the evolution of his distinctive style.
Gaudí’s lesser-known works
So let’s step away from the queues that snake down the road from La Pedrera and the souvenir peddlers hawking tat in the streets around La Sagrada Familia, and start our journey through some of his less famous projects.
Casa Vicens: The birth of a genius
Nestled in the charming Gràcia neighbourhood, Casa Vicens stands as a testament to Gaudí’s early brilliance. Built between 1883 and 1885, this vibrant building is considered Gaudí’s first major project and, by many, the world’s first modernist building. As you approach, the striking façade adorned with colourful tiles and intricate ironwork catches your eye, hinting at the marvels within.
Casa Vicens is a delightful fusion of styles, with its orientalist flair reminiscent of Neo-Mudéjar architecture, yet interpreted through Gaudí’s unique lens. Here, for the first time, Gaudí introduced us to some of the creative styles that would become his signature throughout the emergence of Modernisme. The building caused quite a stir when it was unveiled, sparking discussions and capturing the public’s imagination.
In 2017, after a meticulous renovation, Casa Vicens opened its doors to the public as a house-museum. Now, you can wander through its rooms, marveling at the interplay of light and space, and feeling the first stirrings of Gaudí’s genius.
📍 Address: Carrer de les Carolines 20 – 26, Barcelona, 08012
🏡 Neighbourhood Gràcia
🚇 Nearest station: Fontana – L3 & L5
🚍 Bus routes: H6, 22, 27, 32, 87 & 114
🕘 Monday to Sunday 09:30 until 20:00 from April to October, 09:30 until 18:00 from November to March
🎟️ Save money & avoid queues, buy your Casa Vicens tickets now from Viator or GetYourGuide
Bellesguard Tower: A gothic dream with a modernist twist
Perched atop a hill in the Sarrià-Sant Gervasi district, Bellesguard Tower (also known as Casa Figueres) is a modernist manor house that seems to have sprung from a medieval fairy tale. Constructed between 1900 and 1909, this hidden gem sits on ground once occupied by the country residence of Martin, King of Aragon and Count of Barcelona.
Gaudí’s design for Bellesguard is a fascinating blend of Gothic and modernist elements. The façade, with its stone walls and slender tower, evokes a sense of ancient grandeur. Yet, look closer, and you’ll spot Gaudí’s trademark touches – the undulating lines, the nature-inspired details, and the clever use of light and space.
What makes Bellesguard particularly intriguing is that it represents a period when Gaudí was still developing his unique style. While you’ll find his iconic mosaic detailing and incorporation of natural elements, the building lacks the Moorish accents and bright colours that characterise much of his later work. It’s like catching a glimpse of a butterfly mid-metamorphosis – simply captivating!
📍 Address: Carrer de Bellesguard, 20, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, 08022 Barcelona
🏡 Neighbourhood: Sarrià-Sant Gervasi
🚇 Nearest station: Av. Tibidabo – L7
🚍 Bus routes: 60, 123 & 196
🕘 Tuesday to Sunday 10:00 until 15:00 (last entry at 14:30)
🎟️ Save money & avoid queues, buy your Bellesguard Tower tickets now from Viator or GetYourGuide
Güell Pavilions: A dragon’s lair in the city
Tucked away in the Pedralbes neighbourhood, the Güell Pavilions complex is a hidden treasure trove of Gaudí’s imagination. Here, Gaudí let his creativity run wild with an Orientalist design that’s somewhat reminiscent of Mudejar art.
The star of the show? A wrought-iron gate in the shape of a fearsome dragon, complete with glass eyes that seem to follow you as you approach. This isn’t just any dragon, mind you. It’s Ladon, the mythical beast that guarded the Garden of the Hesperides in Greek mythology. Above the dragon, an antimony orange tree stands as another nod to the Hesperides myth.
But wait, there’s more! The shape of the dragon corresponds to the position of the stars in the Serpens constellation. It’s as if Gaudí brought a piece of the night sky down to earth, wrapped it in myth, and served it up as a gate. Now that’s what I call a grand entrance!
📍 Address: Avinguda de Pedralbes 7, Barcelona, 08034
🏡 Neighbourhood: Les Corts
🚇 Nearest station: Palau Reial – L3
🚋 Nearest tram: Pius XII – T1, T2 & T3
🚍 Bus routes: 7, 33, 63, 67, 75, 78, 113, H6 & V5
🕘 Monday to Sunday 10:00 until 16:00
Colegio de las Teresianas: Austerity meets artistry
In the Tres Torres neighborhood stands the Colegio de las Teresianas, a school that proves Gaudí could work magic even on a shoestring budget. Designed for a convent and school of the Teresians, this building had to reflect the austerity of the religious order while still bearing Gaudí’s distinctive touch.
From the outside, the building might seem rather plain compared to Gaudí’s more flamboyant works. But don’t be fooled! Step inside, and you’ll discover a world of ingenious spatial design and clever use of light. The simplicity of the internal structures is reflected on the outside, creating a harmonious whole that’s a testament to Gaudí’s versatility as an architect.
Today, the school continues to serve its original purpose, offering education from infantile to baccalaureate levels. It’s a living, breathing piece of Gaudí’s legacy, shaping young minds in a building that’s an architectural education in itself.
📍 Address: Carrer de Ganduxer 85 – 105, Barcelona, 08022
🏡 Neighbourhood: Sarrià-Sant Gervasi
🚇 Nearest station: Tres Torres – L6, S1 & S2
🚍 Bus routes: 14, 16, 70, 72 & 74
🕘 Monday to Sunday 07:30 until 19:00
Finca Miralles Gate: A quiet masterpiece
Imagine strolling down Passeig de Manuel Girona in Sarrià and stumbling upon a gate that looks like it’s been plucked from a fantasy novel. That’s the Finca Miralles Gate for you – one of Gaudí’s least-known works that packs a big visual punch.
Commissioned in 1901 by the industrialist Hermenegild Miralles, this gate was designed to provide access to his property. Today, the property is gone, but the gate remains, adding a touch of Gaudí’s magic to an otherwise ordinary street.
The gate is a perfect example of Gaudí’s nature-inspired designs. Its undulating form and organic shapes make it look almost alive, as if it might start moving at any moment. It’s like a quiet whisper of Gaudí’s genius, hidden away from the tourist crowds but no less spectacular for it.
📍 Address: Passeig de Manuel Girona 55 – 57, Barcelona, 08034
🏡 Neighbourhood: Sarrià-Sant Gervasi,
🚇 Nearest station: Maria Cristina – L3
🚋 Nearest tram: Maria Cristina – T1, T2 & T3
🚍 Bus routes: 6, 34, 66, 130, V3 & V7
🕘 Monday to Sunday 00:01 until 24:00
Güell Palace: Where opulence meets innovation
Step into the Güell Palace, and you’re stepping into a world where every detail tells a story. Built between 1886 and 1888 for the industrial tycoon Eusebi Güell, this mansion is a playground of Gaudí’s imagination.
From the moment you enter through the intricate iron gates (keep an eye out for the parabolic arch and seaweed-like patterns), you’re in for a treat. The main room, designed for entertaining high society guests, is a masterpiece of spatial design and artistic innovation.
But the real showstoppers are on the roof. The chimneys – yes, chimneys! – are transformed into fantastical sculptures, their colourful, twisting forms reaching towards the sky like something out of a dream. It’s as if Gaudí decided that even the most functional elements of a building should be works of art.
📍 Address: Carrer Nou de la Rambla 3 – 5, Barcelona, 08001
🏡 Neighbourhood: El Raval
🚇 Nearest station: Liceu – L3, Plaça Catalunya – L6, L7, S1, S2, S5 & S55
🚍 Bus routes: 59, 91, 120 & V13
🕘 Tuesday to Sunday 10:00 until 20:00 from April to October, Tuesday to Sunday 10:00 until 17:30 from November to March
🎟️ Save money & avoid queues, buy your Güell Palace tickets now from Viator or GetYourGuide
Casa Calvet: Gaudí’s most ‘conventional’ design
Last but not least, we have Casa Calvet, often considered Gaudí’s most conventional work. But don’t let that fool you – even Gaudí’s ‘conventional’ is extraordinary by any other standard.
Built between 1898 and 1900 for a textile manufacturer, Casa Calvet had to fit into one of Barcelona’s most elegant neighbourhoods. The result is a building that, at first glance, might seem relatively tame for Gaudí. But look closer, and you’ll start to see his playful touches everywhere.
From the curves and double gable at the top to the projecting oriel at the entrance, Gaudí’s modernista elements peek through the classical façade. And let’s not forget the whimsical details – like the mushroom-shaped decorations above the oriel (a nod to the owner’s favorite hobby) and the columns flanking the entrance shaped like stacked bobbins (a clever reference to the textile business).
Unfortunately, Casa Calvet is privately owned, so you can only view the outside. However, if your fancy a Chinese meal, reserve a table at the China Crown, which occupies part of the ground floor, where you can see some of the building’s features.
📍 Address: Carrer Sant Marc 57, Barcelona, 08253
🏡 Neighbourhood: Eixample
🚇 Nearest station: Urquinaona – L1 & L4
🚍 Bus routes: 7, 39, 47, 54, 62, D50, H12 & V17
🕘 Monday to Sunday 00:01 until 24:00
The evolution of Gaudí’s style
As we’ve journeyed through these lesser-known works, have you noticed how Gaudí’s style evolved? From the orientalist flair of Casa Vicens to the naturalistic forms of the Finca Miralles Gate, we can trace the development of his unique architectural language.
Gaudí’s genius lay in his ability to draw inspiration from nature and translate it into architecture. You’ll see this in the organic forms of the Güell Pavilions’ dragon gate, the undulating façade of Casa Batlló, and the tree-like columns of the Sagrada Família.
Another recurring theme is Gaudí’s innovative use of materials and techniques. Whether it’s the intricate ironwork of the Güell Palace or the ingenious use of light in the Colegio de las Teresianas, Gaudí constantly pushed the boundaries of what was possible in architecture.
Why these works matter
These lesser-known buildings are crucial pieces of the Gaudí puzzle. They show us the architect’s growth, his experiments, and the evolution of his ideas. They help us understand how Gaudí developed the revolutionary style that would later produce world-famous masterpieces like the Sagrada Família.
Moreover, these buildings have played a significant role in shaping Barcelona’s architectural identity. They’re not just Gaudí’s works; they’re part of the city’s DNA, influencing generations of architects and artists who came after.
Beyond the famous façades
As our journey through Gaudí’s lesser-known works comes to an end, I hope you’re feeling inspired to look beyond the famous façades on your next trip to Barcelona. These hidden gems offer a more intimate, less crowded way to experience Gaudí’s genius.
Exploring these sites isn’t just about ticking off a list of attractions. It’s about deepening your appreciation for Barcelona’s modernist heritage, understanding the evolution of one of history’s most innovative architects, and seeing the city through new eyes.
So, next time you find yourself in the Catalan capital, why not venture off the beaten path? Seek out the dragon at the Güell Pavilions, marvel at the quiet elegance of the Colegio de las Teresianas, or lose yourself in the fantastical world of the Güell Palace. Trust me, your understanding and appreciation of Gaudí – and Barcelona itself – will be all the richer for it.
After all, in a city shaped by Gaudí’s vision, every street corner could be hiding a modernist marvel. Happy exploring!
My first visit to Barcelona was when I was on holiday in Sitges in 1999. We hopped on a train and headed into the city and I fell in love with it the minute we arrived. Since then, Barcelona has been one of my favourite cities in the world. I have lost count of the number of times I have visited, and yet I still find something new every time I go back. I could go on all day about why I love the city and I still wouldn’t be able to do it justice. It’s one of those places I can’t get enough of and I always look forward to visiting again.