Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Contemporary Architecture in Barcelona

By Catherine McCulloch


Famed for its magical melding of old and new styles, pioneering civic buildings, innovative hotels and inspirational public monuments, Barcelona's bravery and pioneering attitude makes it a massive draw for fans of modern architecture the world over. We've compiled a list of some of the most famous structures throughout the city that are all definite must sees while you're there.

Erected by Barcelona's homegrown architect, the famous Antoni Gaud, The Basilica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Familia or Sagrada Familia as its most commonly shortened to is one of the city's most unique structures. However, Gaud was still working on it right up to when he passed away in 1926, the monument is still a work in progress. However, to the untrained eye, the only tell-taling signs of its current incomplete state are the cranes in the background, which are frequently edited out of pictures thanks to modern technology. The good news is, the building, which is also officially registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is set to be finished in 2026. Despite being under construction, it's still worth your while on your visit.

The older sibling of London's Gherkin, the Agbar Tower is a glistening, shimmering structure with beautifully coloured windows that's been designed to resemble a spring of water. You'll also see a surrounding moat that runs around the base of the building.

The Agbar Tower is a private building, so you can't explore it all; however it's free of charge to enter the lobby and well worth the effort. It's a beautifully peaceful space, illuminated by delicate streams of light that creep in through the small windows. The best way to get there is to take the metro to Clot, using the red or purple line.

One last must-see when you're in the city is the internationally acclaimed Casa Batll (House of Bones), which boasts late 19th-century architecture designed by Gaud himself. Positioned between the city's Ciutat Vella or Old Town, the building highlights the epitome of Barcelona's art scene by displaying a viserceal quality with an almost surreal type of style, highlighting the bohemian scene the city was known for during this time period where the likes of Picasso and Hemingway hung out in their time.




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