Released on = April 4, 2006, 5:38 am

Press Release Author = Christian Papenmeyer

Industry = Entertainment

Press Release Summary = Barcelona's town character is coined by the architecture of
Antoni Gaudí. A tour through the city shows his influence and it demonstrates the
significance of architecture in Barcelona in general.

Press Release Body = Visitors who come to Barcelona have various reasons for doing
so such as the climate, the beaches, the nightlife and different events, the culture
and the architecture. Especially the last point is very characteristic of Barcelona
and attracts yearly a huge range of visitors. The city puts a lot of effort into the
construction of new buildings and the restoration of existing ones in order to
maintain its unique town character which is coined by one of the most famous
architects of the world: Antoni Gaudi. People consider him as one of the most
influencing and controversial creators in Barcelona and just taking a look at the
Sagrada Familia clearly shows his popular and checkered status.

Antoni Gaudí was born nearby Barcelona on the 25th of April, 1825. Although not
being one of the best pupils in school, he specialized in drawings and layouts and
started working in different architect's offices right from the beginning.
Furthermore, he got to know the industrialist Eusebi Guell at an inicial stage of
his carreer. This contact was highly important as he supported Gaudi in his creative
layouts and financed many of his projects. Gaudí in return dedicated many parks or
buildings to him like the Parc de Güell or the Finca Güell. Touring throughout
Barcelona, visitors will notice the all-over existence of Gaudí and it is highly
recommendable to walk up the Passeig de Grácia and to pass both the Casa de Batllo
and the Casa Milà. The Casa de Batllo was built in the beginning of the 20th century
(1905 - 1907) and many sculptors helped creating the outward appearance, which tells
the story of Saint Georg, the patron of the Catalan capital. The Casa Mila was built
right after the Casa Batllo and is also known as "La Pedrera" ("The Quarry") because
of its bulky facade, which is made of concrete and iron. After visiting both houses,
the Parc de Güell invites its visitors to relax in a perfect melting of nature and
architecture. Furthermore, there is a wonderful view of the whole city and a small
finca off the park's central terrace, where Gaudí used to live for a while.
Certainly the highlight of all his buildings is the Sagrada Familia with its
lovingly detailed decoration and its huge dimensions. Gaudí started planning this
monumental work in 1883 and kept working on it until his death; which does not mean
that he finished his lifework. On the contrary, constructions still go on and there
are people who claim it to be a neverending endeavor although the original plans for
the cathedral already have been reduced to a third of its former layout. Rising
difficulties with adding further parts and the problem of failing funds complicate
the building and extend its completion. Further visits to Gaudí-buildings could be
made to the bishop's palace of Astorga (in Castilla-León), the Palau Güell, the Casa
Vincens and others in the heart or in the region of Barcelona. However, there are
also non-Gaudí buildings like the tower AGBAR, which still provide his unique touch.
The tower contains bureaus and was financed by the water supply company of Barcelona
(Aguas de Barcelona). Its architect Jean Nouvel designed the tower in order to
render homage to Gaudí and included some of Gaudís former considerations. Moreover,
there was even the idea to take up the design of Gaudís 5-continent-towers from the
year 1920 and have them built on the former WTC-area. Can there be better signs for
his ongoing influence?

If visitors want to get in touch with all this scenery and explore Barcelona's
characteristic houses built by Gaudí, they should be prepared for more than just
this. Architects and artists like Frank Gehry or Pablo Picasso have added their
characteristics and helped shaping the city, consistently supported by the town
council. Visitors can even feel the flair of one of these famous persons. They can
live in the former first studio of Picasso, which is located in the Carrer de la
Plata and which can be rented e.g. via www.oh-barcelona.com ;a perfect start into a
stunning stay.

By Christian Papenmeyer

Web Site = http://www.oh-barcelona.com

Contact Details = Open House Spain, S.L.
Portal del Angel 42, B
Barcelona
marketing1@oh-holidays.com