In this blog post, I’ll focus on Barcelona—which left a particularly deep impression on me during my 48-day trip through Europe—and the works of Gaudí, the architect who defines the city.

The Background of My Trip and My First Encounter with Gaudí

This past summer, I embarked on my first independent trip and spent 48 days traveling around Europe. It was a trip I’d planned for a long time, driven by a desire to break free from the structured routine of college, military service, and preparing for certification exams. By the time I reached the end of my trip, my excitement had begun to wane due to fatigue and a sense of familiarity after seeing so many cities, but my experience in Barcelona reignited the excitement I’d felt at the start of the journey.
In Barcelona, I joined a “Gaudi Tour” offered by various companies. The tour involved traveling by bus around the city, listening to the guide’s explanations, and admiring the buildings firsthand. Through the guide’s brief explanations, I first learned about Gaudi’s life and the background of his works, and that context was a great help in understanding them.
Gaudí was born in Catalonia, and under the influence of his father—a craftsman—he developed a sense of space and an interest in decoration. The Catalonia region is home to a diverse historical architectural heritage spanning Roman, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque periods, creating an environment where various styles coexist. It’s fair to say that this diverse environment influenced Gaudí’s unique architectural style.
An indispensable figure in Gaudí’s life was his patron, Güell. Güell was a member of Barcelona’s emerging bourgeoisie who supported Gaudí for many years and treated him like a friend. Thanks to Güell’s patronage, Gaudí was able to devote himself entirely to his work, resulting in several masterpieces named after Güell, such as “Park Güell,” “Casa Güell,” and “the Columbaria of the Colonia Güell Chapel.”

Gaudí’s Works — Experiments in Form and Materials

Casa Milà and Casa Batlló

Casa Milà (also known as La Pedrera), one of Gaudí’s masterpieces, has an exterior that looks as if windows had been carved into a massive rock. Unlike the windows of typical buildings, which are arranged in regular rows and columns, the windows of Casa Milà are arranged irregularly, without regard for symmetry or proportion, giving the building the feel of a cave in nature. The exterior walls are connected by sinuous curves, evoking the image of rippling waves.
Casa Batlló, located across from Casa Milà, presents a different character. While maintaining an overall sense of curved beauty, it features a rich use of stained glass fragments and colored tiles, creating a vibrant and lively exterior. The balcony railings, with their shapes reminiscent of skulls or spines, have earned the building the nickname “The House of Bones.” The contrast between the colorful backdrop and the grotesque balconies creates a striking impression.

Guell Park

Guell Park was originally private land acquired by Guell as part of his plan to build a suburban town, but after the plan failed, it was opened to the public as a park. Mosaic decorations made from broken tile fragments are abundantly used throughout the park, offering a unique visual delight. The tiled bench in the center stands out for its thoughtful design, with a convex curve at the waist that provides a massaging effect when seated.
Other notable features include the Lizard Fountain, Greek-style columns, and distinctive structures such as the guardhouse and the service building at the entrance; their fairy-tale-like forms captivated many visitors. Gaudí’s wit and attention to detail were evident in the meticulous ornamentation and humorous touches.

Sagrada Família

The Sagrada Família, or the Basilica of the Holy Family, was the architectural structure that left the deepest impression on me during this trip. The exterior, which looked as if it were sculpted from clay, combined with the intricate carvings and bell towers soaring toward the sky, evoked a sense of awe. Each sculpture carries symbolic meaning based on biblical stories, and the entire building read like a single, grand narrative.
Gaudí passed away having completed only the “Nativity” façade—one of the three façades representing “Nativity,” “Passion,” and “Glory”—and other architects continued the construction based on his blueprints. The “Passion” façade, completed by the later architect Subirachs, sparked controversy for its modern elements that differed from Gaudí’s style. Opinions were divided even among the tourists I met during the tour, but I felt that this coexistence of past and present was, in fact, the charm of the Sagrada Família.
According to the guide, the cathedral is scheduled to be completed around 2026, based on the current timeline. This massive project, which has spanned 100 years, and the fact that it will still require several more decades even with modern technology, once again underscores the scale and complexity of Gaudí’s work.

The Meaning and Conclusion of the Trip

As I had gradually become less impressed by architecture while encountering various classical architectural styles during my trip through Europe, Gaudí’s works came as a refreshing shock to me. Unlike the orderly and symmetrical European architecture of the past, Gaudí infused his buildings with vitality and playfulness through curves and natural motifs. He appeared to be someone who forged his own path, unbound by the trends of his time.
This trip went beyond simply seeing new landscapes; it became an opportunity to reflect on myself and reassess my values. I began to reflect on my tendency to be swayed by what others liked or disliked, and I came to realize that I needed the courage to forge my own path, just like Gaudí.
The Gaudí tour was a precious experience that brought my first long-term independent trip to a fulfilling conclusion. Barcelona and Gaudí’s architectural works, which I encountered at the end of my long journey, have remained as memories that help me shake off the fatigue of daily life—memories I can revisit from time to time.
Comment: This essay is well-structured, focusing on a specific city and architect during a long journey. It is impressive how the author explains Gaudí’s distinctive style by contrasting it with other European architectural styles, and the order in which the works are introduced—following the flow of the tour—makes for an easy read. However, the section introducing Gaudí’s major architectural works is primarily filled with technical details; adding more descriptions of personal experiences or on-site impressions would enhance the essay’s completeness.