Gaudi's Barcelona

While the artist was born in Reus, south of the city, he spent much of his life in Barcelona. In 1870, he moved to the city to pursue his academic career in architecture, and while he was an inconsistent student, his incomparable talent opened many doors for them. When he completed his studies at the School of Architecture in 1878, the Director, Elies Rogent, declared: "I do not know if we have awarded this degree to a madman or to a genius; only time will tell."

Time did tell, and his unique style and charismatic creations have been long admired by architects around the world. His work was little influenced by his peers, but inspired by nature, reflected in the use of natural curved construction stones, twisted iron sculptures and organic-like shapes, with a colour palette representative of natural wonders. This distinctive combination is irreplicable, and his work offers viewers a breathtaking three-dimensional sight to this day.

There are so many fantastical Gaudí creations to see in Barcelona, here are just a few.

Torre Bellesguard
Also known as Casa Figueres, this family home, also a castle, was designed by Gaudí and constructured between 1900-1909. Perched high on a hillside in the affluent Sarrià-Sant Gervasi district, the Gothic-style building offers panoramic views over Barcelona. While it is lesser visited than other landmarks, it gives insight into his early work and artistic development - and is a peaceful spot away from the hustle and bustle of the city below.

Palau Güell
Gaudí designed this mansion for the industrial tycoon Eusebi Güell, and it was built between 1886 - 1890. It is situated on the popular street, Carrer Nou de la Rambla, and is rumoured to be the first Art Nouveau building in the world. This moody building features swaths of dark wood, marble floors and pillars, with a technicolour roof terrace, topped by 20 chimneys and a 50-foot spire. Gaudí and Güell collaborated again in the early 1900s, and created the city's grand Park Güell; an almost make-believe landscape that features the world-famous mosaic lizard and spiral towers that look like fairground slides.

La Sagrada Família
A church that needs little introduction, this extraordinary building, which is also the world's largest unfinished church, is a magical sight. The awe-inspiring Sagrada Família mesmerises visitors with its soaring spires, intricate stone carvings, and stunning stained glass windows. It would be almost sacrilege to stay in Barcelona and not pay this momentous landmark a visit.

Casa Batlló
Situated on Passeig de Gràcia, Casa Batlló's façade is covered in shards of stained glass that shimmers in the sunlight. Commissioned by textile revolutionary, Josep Batlló, who was impressed by Gaudí's work at Park Güell, his brief was to create a completely unique home, which also paid homage to Catalonia's patron saint, Jordi, also known as Saint George of dragon-slaying fame. Like much of Gaudí's work, Casa Batlló is influenced by nature, with no straight lines, stone pillars that contort like animal bones, and an ocean-blue stairwell. Inside, the LED-walled Gaudí Cube immortalises his imagination, with a vivid, kaleidoscopic and immersive display.

Within The Hideaways Club piso, Calle Princesa, there are a number of furnishings from the revered Casa Batlló Collection, including ornate door handles that are a near-perfect replica of the originals.

Casa Vicens
The very first house Gaudí designed, Casa Vicens is an explosion of colour, adorning a Moorish palace. Think ceramic flowers, flying birds, oriental palms and pink walls, topped by domes and a terracotta roof terrace. It was built in the 1800s as a summerhouse for stockbroker Manel Vicens, and following a refurb in 2017, it opened as a museum space for visitors.

While Barcelona is a charming city to explore with or without artistic appreciation, Gaudí left an indelible mark here that is tangible. You'll find it hard not to lose yourself in the otherworldly magic.