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The Gaudí Exhibition Center is situated in the medieval Casa de la Pia Almoina, which incorporates the old Roman wall and ancient entrance to Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter. The museum consists of 1,000 square metres, distributed over three floors covering the life and work of the great Catalan architect.
Introduction
The journey begins with a spectacular 180 degree video that introduces Antoni Gaudí‘s life, describing his origins in Reus and his artisanal family background (his father was a coppersmith). We learn about Gaudí’s pride in his Mediterranean heritage and appreciation of nature from an early age.
The Influences
The exhibition next explores the cultural works that inspired Gaudí’s revolutionary architecture. We discover that he was influenced by classical Greco-Roman culture, mediaeval religious art, as well as Arabic and Eastern cultures. Here we can see how his work fused both tradition and innovation.
The Masterpieces
Seven of Antoni Gaudí’s works have been declared UNESO World Heritage sites: Park Güell, Casa Milà, Palau Güell, the Colònia Güell Crypt, the Sagrada Família, Casa Vicens and Casa Batlló. In addition to learning about these iconic buildings, we get a fascinating look inside the workshop that Gaudí used as a laboratory.
The Legacy
Gaudí’s work has inspired many leading painters, sculptors and architects across the world. The tour ends with tributes paid to Gaudí by artists such as Salvador Dalí, Joan Miró and Pablo Picasso. He was also admired by great architects of the 20th and 21st centuries including Le Corbusier, Félix Candela, Kenji Imai, Oscar Niemeyer, Frei Otto, Frank Gehry, Arata Isozaki, Enric Miralles, Norman Foster, Zaha Hadid, Jean Nouvel, Toyo Ito and Shigeru Ban.
Virtual Reality
Thanks to the collaboration of Samsung, you can also take a virtual reality tour of Gaudí’s buildings using their Gear VR Headset. Among these is a virtual reality tour of the crypt of Colonia Güell with Gaudí himself.
Gothic Quarter Guided Tour
The Gaudí Exhibition Center now offers guided visits through the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona, led by an experienced local guide. The hour long tour immerses you in the history of the city, from Roman Barcino to modern Barcelona. The Gaudí Exhibition Center is also an official point to buy the tickets for Gaudi’s masterpieces at a special discount.
Opening Hours
Summer: From June to September: 10h to 20h
Interval: October, April, May: 10h to 19h
Winter: From November to March: 10 to 18h
Open every day, from Monday to Sunday and holidays.
Closed: Dec. 25th
Address: Pla de la seu, 7 (in front of the Cathedral of Barcelona)
Phone: +34 932 687 582
Email: info@gaudiexhibitioncenter.com
Web: www.facebook.com/thegaudiexhibitioncenter/