Gaudi, like Barcelona, is different

Out of all of the cities we have visited in Spain, I would have to say that Barcelona appears to be the least Spanish. That’s not to say that I didn’t enjoy the city—this weekend was probably the best excursion of the trip for me—but that Barcelona has particular characteristics that distinguish it from the rest.

The architecture alone illustrates this divide. Gaudi’s work is a hallmark of Barcelona and is entirely different from all of the other types of architecture we have seen. His structures incorporate Gothic, Islamic as well as natural elements, in addition to exhibiting curvature and intricacy. In contrast to the other types of structures we have seen, Gaudi’s work doesn’t seem to represent a particular era; it seems to stand alone. The Cathedrals in Toledo and Sevilla that we saw, for example, employed Gothic architecture and were clearly created in a certain time period. Likewise, the Segovian Aqueduct, designed to have form serve function, is a paradigm of the achievements of the Roman empire. The Alhambra of Granada represents the epoch of Arabic rule and the Palacio Real represents the types of structures that were created during the reign of the Borbones.

Although Gaudi was part of the generation of 98, you couldn’t say that his work exemplifies the type of architecture created during this movement. His style is highly original and his structures varied, with his most famous including an unfinished yet awe-inspiring cathedral and a giant lizard at an entrance to a park. Gaudi’s works do not really reflect Spain’s culture or history; like Barcelona, they stand apart from what is traditionally Spanish.

-Jessica Lichter