Roman origins
The first Barcelona
Ours is a story over 2,000 years in the making. Hundreds of thousands of people have left their mark on this city; countless ideas have shaped and reshaped it – some from here, others from further afield, all now part of who we are. Rome was not built in a day – and neither was Barcelona. Its architecture shows this more clearly than anything else.
The first Barcelona
In 15 BC, the Romans founded a small settlement on a hill, enclosed by imposing walls and 76 defensive towers. Well protected but modest in scale, it was never intended as a capital. The rest is history.
The medieval golden age
From provincial town to Mediterranean power. In the late Middle Ages, Barcelona – capital of Catalonia and the Crown of Aragon – entered its first golden age. For two centuries, it dominated the western Mediterranean, leading to a flourishing of culture and the arts that would shape the city for centuries to come. Its legacy can still be seen in landmarks such as Santa Maria del Mar, the Cathedral and the Drassanes Reials.
Echoes of a European evolution
As the world changed, Barcelona went through difficult periods of its own. Amid crises, wars and a loss of political influence, the city moved through turbulent centuries. Yet Renaissance, Baroque and Neoclassical architecture each found expression here – in a city that never lost sight of its past and worked to regain its place. The façades of the Palau de la Generalitat, the Basílica de la Mercè and Plaça Reial reflect this history.
The splendour of Gaudí’s era
A vision to reimagine a nation – to make its culture modern, ambitious and able to stand alongside Europe’s leading powers. This was the thinking behind Catalan Modernisme, a broad cultural movement that found its strongest expression in architecture, through internationally recognised figures such as Antoni Gaudí and Domènech i Montaner. It helped put Barcelona firmly back on the map and shaped it into the city we know today.
The functional revolution
A more liveable, dignified and equitable city. In the Barcelona of GATCPAC – the avant-garde group that promoted rationalism in Catalonia – a new approach to architecture took hold. Everything was questioned. Their ideas went on to shape how buildings were designed for the next century, redefining what a city could be.
The momentum of the Olympics and the challenges ahead
Today, Barcelona continues to do what it does best: reinvent itself. Rooted in its identity, yet always looking ahead, the momentum of the Olympic Games transformed the city and remains the starting point for contemporary Barcelona – ambitious and aware of its potential. A global capital, mindful of the challenges of the climate crisis, greener and more committed than ever to the quality of life of its residents.
Together with textile and furniture they created a building that represented a new, radical modernism.
A city of beauty. A city like no other. Architecture is its language. The title of World Capital of Architecture recognises this and invites us to see the city afresh – to explore how the spaces we design shape the way we live, while protecting a heritage that defines us.
Discover the best of Catalan modernism with a single card! The Barcelona Modernist Card gives you free access to the city's 10 most emblematic modernist sites, so you can enjoy the most spectacular architecture without queuing and with maximum flexibility. With this card, you'll immerse yourself in the legacy of great architects such as Antoni Gaudí, Lluís Domènech i Montaner and Josep Puig i Cadafalch, and you'll have the opportunity to see their most representative works. It's the most convenient way to discover the city in a unique way. Enjoy modernist Barcelona without complications and save time and money!
The Palau Güell is one of Antoni Gaudí's first major works and a must-see for anyone who wants to understand the origins of his architectural language. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1984, this urban palace brings together the ideas that would later define the architect's mature work: structural innovation, formal creativity and the perfect integration of functionality and art. Located next to Las Ramblas, the Palau Güell was designed according to the private and social needs of the Güell-López family, becoming a pioneering model of Modernist residential architecture. Its design combines noble materials, advanced solutions for its time and a careful spatial experience that make it unique within Barcelona's heritage.
Join this walking tour focusing on Barcelona’s most acclaimed architectural style and learn all about Gaudí while visiting three of his most emblematic works: Casa Vicens, La Pedrera and Casa Batlló.
This package gives you the opportunity to go on a programmed tour of two of Antoni Gaudí’s best-known landmarks, in one day and in different languages: the Sagrada Família and Park Güell. You can choose to begin your tour at Park Güell followed by the Sagrada Família, or vice-versa. You decide!.
This package gives you the opportunity to visit two of Antoni Gaudí’s best-known landmarks: the Sagrada Família and its towers and Park Güell.
Take this guided tour and explore Park Güell, the wonderful garden-city created by the genius of Catalan art nouveau, Antoni Gaudí, and one of the most delightful works from this artistic movement.
What is in between architecture? History, culture and city as public and complex phenomenon. Architour, an office of architects, has this philosophy. Routes are therefore an immersion in the city in order to induce travelers and partakers to questioning and feedback.
Enjoy a complete guided tour of the Sagrada Família (UNESCO World Heritage Site) .
The Sagrada Familia is undoubtedly one of Barcelona's most iconic monuments and one of the most admired works of art in the world. If you visit the city, you cannot miss the basilica designed by Antoni Gaudí, a unique temple that reflects the creativity and vision of the modernist architect. This guided tour will allow you to discover every detail of this architectural gem, exploring its façades, impressive interior, and the adjoining museum that explains Gaudí's naturalistic symbolism. With a professional guide, you will gain a better understanding of the history and context behind the construction of the basilica, which is still under construction more than a century after its inception. A visit that will mark a turning point in your trip to Barcelona.