Famous architectural structures in spain. architecture of spain
Barcelona is a city of eternal smiles, sun and unique architecture. The sights of Antonio Gaudí are a separate chapter in the endless list of must-see places in the capital of Catalonia, and we will introduce them in our article.
Biography of Antonio Gaudí
The famous Catalan architect Antonio Placid Guillem Gaudí y Cornet was born in 1852 in the family of a blacksmith in the small town of Reus, Catalonia. Continuing the family business, the father of the future architect traded in forging and chasing copper, and from an early age instilled in his son a sense of beauty, drawing and depicting buildings with him.
Antonio grew up as a smart boy who succeeded at school without much effort. Geometry was his favorite subject. Even in his school years, the young man began to think about his destiny and felt that his life would be somehow connected with art. Once, during a school play, Antonio tried himself as a theater artist and it was then that he realized what he wanted to devote his life to - "painting on stone", which in future generations would be described as Gaudí's architecture.
After graduating from school, Gaudi went to a city that is now impossible to imagine without the creations of the Catalan genius - Barcelona.
Architect Antonio Placid Guillem Gaudí i Cornet is the creator of the most significant sights that Catalonia is proud of Having entered the architectural bureau here in the initial position, the young man does not leave the dream of someday starting work on his own project and building his own building.
After four years of living and working in the capital of Catalonia, Gaudi finally enters the Provincial School of Architecture, where he takes up his studies with desperate zeal. From the very first year, teachers note Antonio, noticing both his talent and amazing stubbornness, non-standard vision and audacity. Even the rector of the educational institution speaks of these qualities, presenting the 26-year-old Gaudi with an architect's diploma.
Already in his last years, the ambitious Catalan worked on serious projects and did not leave his job until the end of his life. In the summer of 1926 in Barcelona, the famous architect was hit by a tram on his way to the church. Mistaking the artist for a homeless person, witnesses of the incident sent him to a hospital for the poor. Only a day later, the exhausted old man was recognized as a famous architect, but his condition at that time worsened, and he soon died.
Style
From the moment of graduating from the school of architecture, Antonio's artistic searches begin. At first, he turns to the neo-Gothic style, which was then popular in the south of Europe, then changes course to more chamber modern, "pseudo-baroque" and gothic. The sights of Antoni Gaudi are almost all, and there are 17 of them, located in Catalonia.
Subsequently, each of these areas will leave its mark on the work of Gaudí. However, it will not be possible to characterize Gaudí's style with only one current: from the first independent buildings artist, it becomes clear that their creator is a person outside the rules and time. For him, such a concept as “Gaudi decor” was forever entrenched, the style of which is recognizable always and everywhere.
Smooth lines and an unusual construction of space can be conditionally attributed to Art Nouveau, which either approaches or moves away from Neo-Gothic.
The buildings
Fountain in Plaza Catalunya - Fuente en la Plaza de Cataluña
(Catalan name -Font a la Plaça de Catalunya)
Fountain in Plaza Catalunya is considered the first independent work of Antonio Gaudí The first independent work of Antonio is recognized as a fountain in the central square of Barcelona - Plaza Catalunya, designed and built in 1877. Now every guest of the capital of Catalonia can admire it by coming to main square cities.
Free admission.
The address: Placa de Catalunya.
How to get there: by metro, the nearest stations are Catalunya and Passeig de Gracia.
Working cooperative of Mataronin
(Spanish and Catalan names are identical: Cooperativa Obrera Mataronense)
The first building built by Gaudi on his own is located near Barcelona, in the city of Mataro. The novice architect received an order for the design of the cooperative in 1878, and worked on it for about four years. It was originally planned to include residential buildings, a casino and other side buildings as part of the complex, but in the end only the factory and service buildings were completed.
Workers' cooperative Mataronin, whose building was designed by the genius of architecture Now access to the building is open, and everyone can look at it, but it can only be of interest to true fans and researchers of the history of the architect. After all, the cooperative, although it inevitably reminds of its creator in every detail, does not represent such artistic value as the other buildings of the genius.
The building is now used as an exhibition space.
Opening hours:
- From July 15 to September 15 - from 18:00 to 21:00, Monday is a day off.
All other months:
Free admission.
The address: Mataro, Carrer Cooperativa 47.
How to get there:
- by train from Barcelons Stants to Mataro;
- by bus from Pl Tetuan stop to Rda. Alfons XII - Camí Ral (stops 3 minutes walk to the Workers' Cooperative);
- by car - drive along the coast to the north, the road will take no more than half an hour.
House of Vicens
(Spanish and Catalan names are identical: Casa Vicens)
The House of Vicens is the fateful brainchild of the great architect. Thanks to his bold design, Antonio was noticed by his future patron, philanthropist Eusebio Güell. In 1883-1885, Gaudí designed a building that largely determined his fate. The manufacturer Manuel Vicens orders a summer residence project for his family from an architect who has just received his diploma. A young artist decides to build a building out of raw stone and colorful ceramic tiles.
The building itself is an almost perfect quadrangle, but the simplicity of the form was transformed with the help of decorative elements. Turning to the east, he decorates the building in the Mudéjar style. Here he is helped both by colored tiles (which the customer of the house specializes in), and the bold decision to lay them out in a checkerboard pattern.
Interior of Vicens' house inside Attention to the smallest details and the desire to keep his work in a single style were already defined as a hallmark of Antoni Gaudí.
In 2005, the building was added to the List world heritage UNESCO.
It was after the construction of the Vicença House that Antonio Gaudi was noticed by the philanthropist Eusebio Güell, who later became the main customer and patron of the young architect.
Private building, closed to the public until 2017. In October 2017, the house will open for tours.
The address: Carrer de les Carolines, 22-24.
How to get there: by metro to Fontana station (L3).
El Capriccio
(Spanish and Catalan names are identical: Capricho de Gaudí)
The summer mansion of the Marquis Masimo Diaz de Quixano, created by the genius of architecture, still amazes with its originality and uniqueness. The Catalan genius builds the next building by order of the Marquis Masimo Diaz de Quixano, who was a distant relative of the architect's friend Güell. A quaint summer mansion was created in 1883-1885 in the town of Comillas and is still one of its main attractions. The building is now open to the public.
Opening hours: 10:30-17:30, with an hour break from 14:00 to 15:00.
Ticket price - 5 €.
The address: Comillas, Barrio Sobrellano.
How to get there: from Barcelona, the fastest way is by plane to Santander (SDR airport) and from there by bus to Comillas (Comilias stop is a five-minute walk from El Capriccio).
Güell Manor Pavilion - Pabellones Güell
(Catalan name -pavellons Gü ell)
Beautiful and unique in its design, the pavilion of the Güell estate is another work of Gaudí The first order that Gaudi received directly from Güell was a project for a complex of two pavilions and a gate, which were supposed to be the main entrance to the country estate of the magnate. Initially, the complex also included the gatekeeper's house and stables, but they did not survive to our time.
The pavilion is located in Barcelona, near the Palau Reial metro station on line L3, and you can visit it by purchasing a ticket for 6 €.
The address: 7 Av. Pedralbes.
How to get there: by metro to Palau Reial station (L3).
Sagrada Familia - Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Familia
(Catalan title– Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Familia)
March 19, 1882 is considered the beginning of the construction of the most famous long-term construction. It was then that the first stone was laid in the foundation of the Expiatory Temple of the Holy Family. The basilica began to be built under the leadership of the then eminent Spanish architect Francisco del Villar. A year later, he left the project due to disagreements with the church council, and the young Gaudí was entrusted with continuing the construction.
Antonio Gaudi will devote 42 years of his life to the construction of the Sagrada Familia, tirelessly improving the project, supplementing it with new details and gradually modifying the idea. The artist filled each new column, statue or part of the bas-relief with symbolism and sacred meaning, being a true Christian.
His principal innovation was 18 pointed towers, each of which had a special meaning. The central and highest among them (not completed so far) is dedicated to Christ.
Facade of the Nativity Three facades of the building also carry a sacred semantic load, which is expressed by sculptures and images on it. The main facade is dedicated to the Nativity, the other two - to the Passion of Christ and the Resurrection. According to the Spanish government, the construction of the temple will be completed approximately in 2026 (which is not certain), but now you should definitely visit Antoni Gaudí's Sagrada Familia when you are in the capital of Catalonia. The building is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can learn more about the ingenious creation of Gaudí in a separate article at the link.
The expiatory temple of the Holy Family is unique creation Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. The temple has become a symbol not only of Barcelona, but of the whole of Spain as a whole. Opening hours:
- November-February - 9:00-18:00;
- March and October - 9:00-19:00;
- from April to September - 9:00-20:00.
The price of the simplest entrance ticket is from 17 €.
The address: Carrer de Mallorca, 401.
How to get there: to Sagrada Familia metro station (L2 and L5).
Palacio Güell - Palacio Güell
( Catalan name -Palau Gü ell)
Palace Güell not only attracts the attention of numerous tourists, but is also deservedly recognized by UNESCO. The residential building, built by the Catalan master on the order of Guell's friend and patron, became his only building in the Old Town of Barcelona. Antonio Gaudí built the Palace Guell for five years and it was at this time that his personal style, which became recognizable all over the world, was formed. Non-standard approach to facade decoration, appeal to Byzantine motifs and statics Venetian palazzos- each line of the building loudly declares its creator.
The interiors of the palace are also worth a look: whimsical fireplaces, wooden ceilings, bright stained glass windows and huge mirrors are definitely worth spending time on. Palace Güell is another building of Antonio Gaudi, listed by UNESCO.
Opening hours:
- from April 1 to September 30 - 10:00-20:00;
- From October 1 to March 31 - 10:00-17:30;
- Mon and Sun are days off.
Free admission.
The address: Carrer Nou de la Rambla.
How to get there: by metro to Drassanes station (L3).
Saint Teresa College - Colegio Teresiano de Barcelona
(Catalan title – Col legi de les Teresianes)
In 1888, Antonio Gaudí takes on the continuation of the construction of Saint Teresa College. It is still unknown which of the architects of that time started this project and why he did not continue it.
Work on the building turned out to be difficult for the architect, because he constantly had to coordinate his ideas with the customer and work with a rather “boring” material, trying not to dilute it with decorative elements. Constantly arguing with Ossi's father, who supervised the construction, the architect found justification for his decisions in biblical symbolism.
Saint Teresa College is another popular attraction in Barcelona. Thanks to Gaudi's perseverance and his categorical unwillingness to adhere to absolute asceticism, the college building turned out to be restrained, but not without recognizable authorial features. The shape of the building was complicated, with decorative arches along the perimeter of the roof, and the facade was decorated with unique elements.
You can get inside the school during excursions, which are held on weekends from 15:00 to 20:00.
The address: Carrer de Ganduxer, 85.
How to get there: by bus 14, 16, 70, 72, 74 to the Tres Torres stop.
Bishop's Palace in Astroga
(Spanish. Palacio Episcopal de Astorga,cat. Palau Episcopal d'Astorga)
Bishop of the city of Astroga (province of Leon) Jean Batista Grau y Vallespinosa was well acquainted not only with the work of Antonio Gaudi, but also with the architect himself. No wonder that the priest ordered the design of his new residence to him. Focusing on the Gothic characteristic of Leon, Gaudí created a small castle with narrow windows, towers and gabled roofs.
Bishop's Palace in Astroga The unique porch of the building and the entrance portico with recessed arches are a godsend of the architect. In order to create the impression of “elongation” and unreality, to dilute the familiar Gothic style, the master decided to use solid elongated stone blocks in the installation.
On the this moment the palace is open for visits, the ticket price is 2.5 €.
The address: Plaza de Eduardo Castro, Astroga.
How to get there: from Barcelona the easiest way is by train to the Astroga station (the Palace is a 10 minute walk from the station).
House Botines
(Spanish: Casa Botines, cat.. Casa de los Botines
Not far from Astroga, in Leon, there is another attraction associated with the name of the Catalan master. The wealthy of Leon, seeing the new residence of Bishop Astroga, decided that the same architect should build their new tenement house. The main customer was one of them - Joan Botines, founder of the commercial union.
The house, like the palace of Jean Baptiste, was designed with an eye on the local flavor. Turning again to the Gothic, Gaudi erects a rather restrained building with a small number of decorative elements.
House Botines - the legendary creation of Gaudí outside of Catalonia The address: Leon, Plaza del Obispo Marcelo, 5.
How to get there:
- by train to Ponferrada station;
- by bus (follows from the station) to the Ponferrada stop (a five-minute walk from the House of Botines).
Güell wine cellar
(Spanish)Bodegas Guell,cat. Celler Guell)
Güell wine cellar is one of the most original wine Vault ov in the world In the suburbs of Barcelona there is another construction of Gaudi, ordered by Eusebio Güell. The master worked on it in 1895-1898. A single complex included a wine cellar, a residential building and a gatekeeper's house. They are all united by a recognizable style, as well as the general idea of building roofs - they resemble either tents or oriental pagodas, drawing all the attention to themselves.
Entrance to the complex costs 9 €.
The address: El Celler Guell, Sitges.
How to get there: by train to Garaff station.
House Calvet
(Spanish and Catalan names are identical: Casa Calvet)
In 1898-1890, Gaudí was busy building an apartment house on Casp Street (Carrer de Casp) in Barcelona, ordered by the widow of a wealthy city man, who later became private. residential building. In the style of the building, the maestro adhered to the neo-baroque style, abandoning medieval motifs. It was this creation of the architect that received in 1900 the municipal award of Barcelona for the best building of the year.
The building can only be viewed from the outside. 
The address: Carrer de Casp 48.
How to get there: by metro to Urquinaona station (L1, L4).
Crypt of Colonia Güell
(Spanish and Catalan names are identical:Crypto de la Colò nia Gü ell)
Another church in the suburbs of Barcelona Gaudí begins in 1898 as part of a project to build a colony - a small complex provided with everything necessary for the life of a micro-society.
The Crypt of Colonia Güell is one of the most original buildings in Catalonia. Due to the protracted construction process, the architect managed to build only the crypt, and all other parts of the project remained unfulfilled.
The building is lined with multi-colored glass, and its windows are decorated with needles from the looms of the Güell factory. The building is decorated with bright stained-glass windows dedicated to church motifs.
The crypt is open from 10:00 to 19:00, the ticket costs from 7 €. The attraction is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 
The address: Colonia Guell S.A., Santa Coloma de Cervello.
How to get there: by buses N41 and N51 to the Santa Coloma de Cervello stop.
House of Figueres
(Spanish and Catalan names are identical: Casa Figueras)
One of the most recognizable houses of Antoni Gaudí is located on Bellesguard Street and is often named after her. Only on the project of the house, which in 1900 was ordered by the widow of a wealthy merchant Maria Sages, the architect worked for three years, and its construction continued until 1916.
Forming the style of the building, Gaudi returns to oriental motifs, and combines it with neo-Gothic. As a result, he gets a very light structure, striving for the sky, decorated with bizarre stone mosaics and graceful broken lines. 
Figueres House is open to the public from 10:00 to 19:00 in summer and until 16:00 in winter. The ticket costs from 7 €.
The address: Carrer de Bellesguard, 16.
How to get there: by metro to Vallcarca station (L3).
Park Güell
(Spanish: Parque Güell, cat. Parc Güell)
A huge park, covering an area of 17.18 hectares, the Gaudí Park in Barcelona was built in the upper part of Barcelona in 1900-1914. Together with the customer Güell, they conceived a space for relaxation, fashionable among the British at that time, the “garden city”. The allotted area for the park was divided into 62 sections - for the construction of mansions. Wealthy Catalans failed to sell them, so they began to equip the territory as an ordinary park, and then sold it to local authorities.
Now there is a house-museum of Antoni Gaudí (his mansion was one of the three bought in the park). In addition to it, there is something to see in the park: the famous mosaic sculptures, the Hall of a Hundred Columns and, of course, the curved bench and the famous Gaudi tile with which it is laid out.
A ticket for an adult visitor costs from 22.5 €.
The address: Passeig de Gracia, 43.
How to get there: by metro to Passeig de Gràcia (L3).
House Mila
(Spanish and Catalan names are identical: Casa Milà)
Almost the same symbol of Barcelona as the Sagrada Familia has long been the famous House of Mila. This is the last "secular" work of the architect. After its completion, he finally plunged into the construction of the Sagrada Familia, sometimes mistakenly called the CATHEDRAL. Gaudi, again, gravitating towards smooth and curved lines, creates an amazing and memorable facade.
Casa Mila is one of the symbols of Barcelona By the way, the residents of Barcelona didn’t like it right away, and the building was nicknamed the Quarry for its heavy appearance. However, this did not prevent the House of Mila from becoming the first building of the 20th century included in the UNESCO List.
The fact is that Gaudi, acting in accordance with his principles, thought through the smallest details, not only decorative, but also functional. In Casa Mila, Antonio Gaudí designed the ventilation in the rooms in such a way that air conditioners are not required to this day. And the interior partitions in each apartment can be moved by the owners at their discretion.
And, of course, the main innovation of that time was the underground parking, also designed by the famous architect.
Interior inside the Mila House Mila House has been on the World Heritage List since 2005.
The address: Provença, 261-265.
How to get there: by metro to the Diagonal station (L3, L5). Buy skip-the-line tickets to Casa Mila with an audio guide.
Sagrada Familia School
(Spanish: Escuelas de la Sagrada Familia, cat. Escoles de la Sagrada Familia)
Built as part of the complex of the Sagrada Familia, the school impresses with its simplicity and elegance at the same time. This is probably one of the most inconspicuous at first glance sights of Antonio Gaudi. Its design is a surprisingly harmonious combination of beauty and functionality.
So, a fancy roof serves not only as a decoration, but also drains rainwater without a trace. In addition, the building fully complies with church requirements.
The Sagrada Familia School can claim the title of the most original in the world in its design A few years after the construction of the school was completed, Gaudi himself moved here to live in order to be as close as possible to the main business of his life - the Sagrada Familia.
The address: Carrer de Mallorca, 401.
How to get there: by metro to the Sagrada Familia station (L2 and L5).
The phrase "architecture of Spain" in most people quite naturally evokes the image of Barcelona with its outstanding masterpieces from the great Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. However modern Spain is a country with amazing architecture, which is in no way inferior to other developed countries. Our review presents 25 outstanding examples modern architecture Spain.
The Museum of Drawing and Illustration in Madrid is the most modern in Spain. The ABC Museum consists of small cafes, shops, restoration rooms and directly two exhibition halls, which showcase a rich collection of works from various areas of fine art, sculpture, animation and graphic design. In addition to exhibitions, the museum hosts various cultural events, training workshops and courses.
The amazing BF House, located on a hill in the city of Castillon, is an excellent example of a competent organization of space that contributes to the most comfortable living. BF House is a huge slab resting on 3 V-shaped metal supports that carry the weight of the entire building. One of the most important principles laid down by the authors in this project was the maximum lightening of the interiors due to glass walls.
3. Skyscraper Agbar Tower in Barcelona
Erected in 2004, the modern skyscraper Agbar Tower is the creation of the famous French architect Jean Nouvel. The shape of the building and the design of the facade are designed to embody the water element of Spain and the outlines of the mountains of Montserrat, located in Catalonia. The facade of the building impresses with a variety of color schemes, which are achieved using multi-colored metal panels with 4000 lighting devices. These elements form complex color combinations, which creates the effect of "pixelation". However, from a distance, all the pixels merge, and Agbar Tower seems to be iridescent with all the colors of the rainbow. The 38-storey building has become one of the most important symbols of the new Barcelona.
The famous masterpiece from the Spaniard Santiago Calatrava, pedestrian bridge Alamillo, was built in 1992 in Seville. The uniqueness of the 200-meter canvas laid across the Guadalakvir River is that its weight is supported by only one support and 13 stretched steel cables. At night, the completely white bridge takes on a very picturesque color.
The modern complex of the culinary arts center was built in 2011 in the city of Gipuzkoa. The architecture of this object, which cannot leave indifferent even the most distant person from architecture, is formed with the help of curvilinear surfaces chaotically located on each other. The building includes rooms for teaching students of culinary institutes, lecture halls, cafes, shops and even its own mini-farm. It is worth noting that the Culinary Arts Center was nominated for the Plataforma Arquitectura award as the best architectural object of 2011, but took an honorable third place.
6. Multifunctional sports arena "Bilbao Arena" in Bilbao
Multifunctional sports arena "Bilbao Arena
Bilbao Arena
Opened in 2010, the multifunctional sports arena in Bilbao is one of the most environmentally friendly in the world. This sports facility mainly hosts basketball games, however, recent times it increasingly hosts music concerts and various cultural events. There are also gyms and a swimming pool on the territory of the arena.
7. Villa "Home to live" in Palma de Mallorca
Villa "Home to live" in Palma de Mallorca
"A home to live" in Palma de Mallorca
Villa "Home for Life", the architecture of which has no analogues in the world, was built in 2009 in the main resort town of Spain, Palma de Mallorca. The house consists of two buildings - rectangular in plan and curvilinear. In the first one there is a living room, bedrooms, guest rooms and a kitchen-dining room, and in the second one there is an office and a home cinema. The residential group also includes a stunningly beautiful swimming pool, connected to the main territory by a decorative staircase.
8 Bilbao City Hall
Villa "City Hall in Bilbao
Unusual in form, the modern building of the City Hall of Bilbao was built in the city center. This deconstructivist masterpiece by IMB Architects is intended to replace old town hall Bilbao, built in the 90s of the XX century. The building houses exhibition halls, cafes, restaurants, meeting rooms, offices and conference rooms.
The Forum building was designed by the Swiss tandem of architects Herzog & de Meuron and built specifically for the Forum of Cultures in the capital of Catalonia in 2004. In plan, this avant-garde building is an equilateral triangle with sides of 180 meters and a height of 25 meters. Of particular interest are the facades of the building with curvilinear glass panels stretching across the entire height of the complex. This stunning building plays a vital role in shaping the image of modern Barcelona.
10. The architectural complex "City of Arts and Sciences" in Valencia
The "City of Arts and Sciences" is an amazing architectural complex of five buildings that are located on the drained bottom of the Turia River in the resort town of Valencia. The idea and general concept of the complex belongs to the legendary architect born in this city, Santiago Calatrava. The implementation of such a large-scale project lasted from 1996 to 2005. The complex "City of Arts and Sciences" includes: an opera house, an IMAX cinema, a planetarium, a garden gallery, science museum and an outdoor oceanographic park. This ensemble is one of the brightest and most extraordinary masterpieces of modern architecture in Spain and around the world.
11. Business complex "4 towers" in Madrid
Business complex "4 towers" in Madrid
Business complex "4 towers" from a bird's eye view
The business complex "4 towers" includes 4 of the most tall buildings Spain: the 225-meter "Space Tower", the 236-meter tower of Sasir Vallehermoso, the 249-meter glass tower of Baron Norman Foster and, finally, the highest, 250-meter tower "Caja Madrid". All 4 buildings were erected in the Spanish capital in period from 1999 to 2005. The area surrounded by these giants has become the center of attraction for both citizens and businessmen from all over the world making business visits to the capital of the Kingdom of Spain.
The Edificio Mirador residential complex, 63 meters high (21 floors), stands out from the standard building with a huge central opening, which is a kind of common balcony with a stunningly beautiful garden and enchanting views of the local surroundings. Also, a huge hole has a safety function - in case terrorist act the blast wave will pass through a huge hole.
Located in the area of La Barceloneta with predominantly low-rise buildings, the tower blends in very harmoniously with the surrounding landscape. Main Feature of this glass giant are strongly protruding consoles. They increase the usable area of the building and shape it unique look. It is worth recognizing that most people have an extremely ambiguous attitude towards this skyscraper.
The architectural complex of buildings, located in the city of San Sebastian, consists of two huge prisms - a large auditorium, as well as multi-purpose and exhibition ones. The Palace of Congresses was designed by the Spaniard Rafael Moneo and opened in 1999. The concert hall, which can accommodate about 2 thousand spectators, also serves as the venue for the largest international film festival. On the different levels architectural ensemble open terraces with stunning views of Zurriola Beach and the mouth of the Urumea River.
The incredible Metropol Parasol complex, located in the medieval part of Seville, is the largest architectural structure made of wood in the world. Such a large-scale facility includes a farmers' market, several restaurants and bars and Archaeological Museum, which presents real archaeological excavations. The main feature of Metropol Parasol are walking paths and viewing platforms on the roof, from where a stunning panorama of the capital of Andalusia opens.
Museum contemporary art Castilla was built in 2005 in León. The main goal of this cultural institution is the constant replenishment and storage of works of art created no earlier than 1992. The museum received an international vocation and was even noted by the American edition of The New York Times as “one of the most amazing and daring museums that has radically changed the modern face of Castile. Of course, this museum is considered the main attraction of Leon.
The construction of a huge cultural center, which combines various exhibition pavilions, an observation platform, a music center, a theater stage, cinema halls, dance floors and much more, was completed in 2010. The author of the project was the Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer. With the advent of this large multifunctional complex, the main industrial city of the autonomous province of Asturias has become a real Cultural Center attracting hundreds of tourists from all over the world.
The spectacular tower of the Porta Fira Hotel, located in the Catalan capital, was designed by the famous Japanese architect Toyo Ito and built in 2009. Tourists and local residents the organic form of the tower and the incredible texture of its facades, which are the result of the use of red aluminum pipes, are striking. It is these metal elements that give the walls of the hotel the effect of vibration and serve as blinds. The Porta Fira tower is considered one of the major masterpieces of deconstructivism in the world.
The Puerta America hotel, located in the capital of Spain, is an absolutely unprecedented phenomenon in the history of architecture, because 19 famous architects from around the world took part in its creation at the same time, literally dividing the entire hotel by floors. Among those who took part in such an unusual experiment are Zaha Hadid, Norman Foster, Jean Nouvel, David Chipperfield, Arata Isozaki and many others. More information about the history of the creation of this hotel can be found in.
20. Twin towers "Gate of Europe" in Madrid
Twin towers "Gate of Europe" in Madrid
Twin towers "Gate of Europe": a fragment of the facade
The construction of the second tallest building in Spain, a complex of two identical 114-meter towers in Madrid, was completed in 1994. These 15° tilted skyscrapers are the world's first tilted skyscrapers.
The hospital, built in 2012 in the town of Mostoles, is the first medical facility in Spain named after the king. The author of the project, Rafael de La Josa, presented a new type of hospital to the public, based on three main principles: maximum efficiency, light and silence. The hospital complex consists of two small towers located on a rectangular stylobate. Most floors have atriums. Moving inside the hospital is carried out by ring galleries and elevators. In fact, the stylobate plays the role of a hospital, and the small towers are a polyclinic.
One of the most recognizable buildings in Spain, the Tenerife Auditorium is the result of the creative process of Santiago Calatrava. One of the most significant and famous works of modern architecture was completed in 2003. The scale of this building is simply amazing - the roof alone reaches 100 meters in length and weighs about 350 tons. The theater building includes two halls - organ (1616 seats) and chamber (424 seats). It is curious that you can enter the theater from two sides. Tenerife Auditorium also provides its visitors with the opportunity to spend time in harmony with nature on special terraces with sea views.
The unique facility, located in a small town near Valencia, serves two purposes at once: it is a hostel for students of the local university and social housing. The complex includes 102 rooms for young students, 40 apartments for pensioners and a community center. One of the most important principles in the creation of this hostel was the organization of public spaces that contribute to the improvement of communication and interaction of residents.
The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao is a huge exhibition space of stone, glass and titanium heaps, following the contours of the Nervion River. Since the design and construction of this huge complex in Bilbao was little covered in the press, the opening of the building in 1997 caused an explosion of delight among both the local population and true connoisseurs of art. It was this incredible building that elevated its author, the American architect Frank Gehry, to the rank of the great architects of our time.
25. Olympic Pavilion "Fish" in Barcelona
Olympic Pavilion "Fish"
The unique sculpture of a golden fish is another Spanish masterpiece by Fank Gehry, erected on the coast of Barcelona specifically for the 1992 Olympic Games. This construction of gilded steel mesh, glass and stone was a real technological breakthrough in the field of architecture in its time. It is interesting to note that when creating a model of the future pavilion, Gehry was the first to use a 3D aircraft modeling program.
Due to favorable climatic conditions in Spain, the construction of private villas is very developed, as can be seen from the examples, and.
Cathedral in Burgos - the capital of medieval Castile.
Spanish Gothic is a period and style in the architecture of Spain that differs from the Gothic of other countries.
Vista de la Catedral de Burgos
By 1250, the Gothic style in architecture gradually began to take shape in Europe. It is believed that the first steps in this direction were taken by the abbot Suger, rector of the Abbey of Saint-Denis near Paris. It was under him that the abbey church began to be rebuilt. To begin with, we will try to understand the term "Gothic" itself.
It was first applied to art in the 16th century. This concept defined pre-Renaissance and non-Italian art; something barbaric. During the Gothic revival in the 18th century, the term began to be used in relation to all medieval art up to the era of the Italian Renaissance. Already in the 19th century, part of this art was called Romanesque. So Gothic began to be called art created between the Romanesque and Renaissance periods.
Cimborrio de la Catedral de Burgos
Spanish Gothic began to take shape around the 13th century. Its development proceeded unevenly due to the fragmentation of the kingdom and the influence in various historical areas of local traditions or the impact of the art of the Arabs. The style manifested itself almost exclusively in temple architecture, while secular architecture remained largely faithful to the dialogue with the Moorish tradition.
Puerta de la Coroneria de la Catedral de Burgos
In Spain, the spread of new architectural ideas was slow. The Cisterians introduced a number of Gothic techniques: this manifested itself in the form of arches and ribs of the vault, and in the very use of lancet arches.
Moorish techniques also left their mark on the interpretation of the Gothic system of the nevure frame: the vault above the crossroads rests on cross-shaped arches, in the space between them an eight-pointed openwork star is placed. In the Seville Cathedral, erected on the site of a mosque, the former Giralda minaret serves as a campanile; The influence of Arab art was most clearly manifested in the brick cathedrals erected by Muslim craftsmen.
One 12th century building Ávila Cathedral, in its plan and architecture of the eastern façade (begun before 1181) contains elements apparently ascending to the French Saint-Denis.
Cathedral in Cuenca(begun around 1200) has a distinctly Gothic character: its main parts are enlivened with stucco and carved decorations, the high vaults are six-part, and the capitals have a leafy ornament.
The first Spanish churches that repeated the scale of the French gothic cathedrals, became the cathedrals in Burgos (begun in 1222) and Toledo (begun in 1226). Spanish Gothic is characterized by free fantasy deviations from a single constructive design of the building and numerous additions to the original plan in the form of many chapels and outbuildings.
The most important feature of the Spanish Gothic monuments is the continuation of the choir from east to west, from the apse to the middle of the central nave. The choir was separated by a high decorated partition, behind which was placed the main chapel, also enclosed by a wall. In the chapel, the altar was fenced off from the space behind the altar by a high, richly decorated retablo. All this turned the chapel into an independent church inside the cathedral.
The main facade of the cathedral and the adjacent palace of the archbishops
Retablo of the Main Chapel
City cathedrals are large in size and, despite the magnificent decor of the facades, have relatively small windows. The altar and the choir were illuminated through the windows of large openwork lantern towers, which were especially richly decorated in the late Gothic era (the cathedral in Burgos). Unlike french cathedrals permeated with light, in Spanish twilight dominates. However, the cathedral in Leon (1205-1288) is almost the only one where the walls are almost entirely occupied by large stained-glass windows.
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Santa Maria del Mar - Church of Saint Mary of the Sea - Gothic church in Barcelona in historical quarter La Ribera. It was built in 1329-1383, during the heyday of trade and navigation in Catalonia. Santa Maria del Mar is an outstanding example of Catalan Gothic, characterized by a purity and unity of style that is generally not characteristic of large medieval buildings.
The first mention of the Church of St. Mary on the Sea dates back to 998. The construction of the modern temple was facilitated by Canon Bernat Llull, who in 1324 was appointed archdean of the church. Construction began on March 25, 1329, the foundation stone of the church was laid by King Alphonse IV of Aragon, as evidenced by the inscription in Latin and Catalan on the facade of the church.
Assistance in the construction of the church was provided by all the guilds of Ribera. The walls, side chapels and facades were completed in 1350. In 1379 a fire destroyed a significant part of the building. The construction was completed on November 3, 1383, and already on August 15, the first mass was held in the church. The earthquake of 1428 caused serious damage to the church building and destroyed the stained glass rosette on the western facade. A new flamboyant gothic stained glass window was completed in 1459.
On March 9, 1923, Pope Pius XI awarded the church of Santa Maria del Mar the title of Papal Minor Basilica (lat. Basilica minor). |
Spanish Gothic has distinctive features. First, the influence of Moorish art. Secondly, it is characterized by diversity, despite common features. In the period of 12-13 centuries there was a struggle for the return of power with the Moors (Reconquista). Before that, in the 11th century, the Romanesque style dominated in Spain, and it was preceded by the Asturian (proto-Romanesque) style. Gothic spread throughout Spain unevenly. Gothic works appeared in Castile already in the 13th century, in Catalonia in the 14th and 15th centuries, and it penetrated into Andalusia only in the second half of the 15th century.
At that time, many Moorish masters (Mudéjars) worked in Spain, and the style, Mudéjar, is named after them. Of course, they used Moorish motifs in decorating buildings. The Gothic style in Spain was expressed mainly in the construction of cathedrals, and very little in the architecture of castles and public buildings.
Unlike French Gothic, Spanish has one more feature. This is a violation of the constructive logic of the building, often conceived in accordance with French models, the buildings were left unfinished. After they were completed and rebuilt, without a specific plan, they were overgrown with all sorts of chapels and sacristies. Buildings lost their vertical orientation.
The interior of the cathedrals also differed from the French. In a hot climate, narrow windows were made, and twilight reigned inside. Where there was usually a choir in cathedrals, a walled chapel was placed here. The altar and retablo (behind the altar image) were placed behind.
Interior of the silk exchange in Valencia, Catalonia (XV century).
Catalonia developed its own version of Gothic. Buildings in Catalonia are distinguished by greater spatial freedom, breadth of plan, and the predominance of calm horizontal lines. Instead of sharp gothic roofs - flat roofs on ledges. Flying buttresses and buttresses do not protrude, but are often hidden inwards.
The succession of Gothic styles in Spain
Defining styles in Spanish gothic architecture are as follows. Dates are approximate.
Early Gothic (12th century)
High Gothic (13th century)
Mudéjar (13th-15th century)
Mudéjar
(tamed, domestic) - a kind of synthetic style in architecture, painting and arts and crafts of Spain in the 11th-16th centuries. The name comes from a religious group known as the Mudéjars.
Levantino (14th century)
Flamboyant / Late Gothic (15th century)
Isabelino (15th century)
isabelino style(“Isabella Gothic”, el gótico Reyes Católicos, “Gothic of the Catholic Kings”) is a direction of Gothic architecture that arose in Spain in XV-beginning. XVI centuries, during the reign of Queen Isabella of Castile (1474-1505) and her husband Ferdinand of Aragon ("Catholic Kings").
Cathedral in Leon
begun in 1303), is close to French cathedrals.
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Cathedral of Santa Maria de Leon - Catholic Cathedral in the city of León (Castile and León). The modern Leon Cathedral was built in the years 1205-1301 in the Gothic style. Previously, Roman baths were located on this site in the 2nd century, and at the beginning of the 10th century, the king of Galicia and Leon, Ordoño II, built a palace. However, after one victory over the Moors, he built a Romanesque cathedral in which he was later buried. Later, a second cathedral, also in the Romanesque style, was built on this site, which was consecrated in 1073, and where in 1135 Alfonso VII was crowned Emperor of all Spain.
Today, the cathedral is one of the famous churches of the north of Spain and a prime example of Spanish Gothic architecture. Stained glass windows of the XIII-XIV centuries have an area of about 1800 m². Inside the cathedral there are many old sculptures. Outside, the buildings are decorated with numerous surviving gargoyles, griffins and chimeras. The facade of the cathedral has two towers, one of them, south, is a clock tower. The cathedral contains some elements of baroque and neoclassicism introduced in the 16th-18th centuries. Built over 700 years old, the building shows signs of decay, as sandstone is a relatively fragile material. |
Cathedral in Seville, 16th century.
Built in 1401-1519 on the site of a former mosque left after the Reconquista. It has a length of about 116 m and a width of 76 m. The cathedral consists of five side aisles, a large main chapel with a flaming vault, rising 56 m above the transept (cross nave).
It is commonly stated that the chapter decided in 1401 “to build a church so good that it can never be surpassed. Let posterity admire it after its completion and say that those who dared to conceive this work were crazy.”
Apostolos - Puerta de la Conception
In the gloomy shadow of the cathedral, many relics and treasures are kept, including paintings by Murillo, Velasquez, de Zurbaran and Goya. The cathedral's cross is said to be made from the first gold brought by Columbus from America, and the remains of a navigator are said to be buried in the cathedral.
The lead tomb of Columbus was moved from Seville to the Cathedral of Santo Domingo in 1544. It is believed that in 1795 his remains were transferred to Havana, and a hundred years later - from Havana to Seville. But somewhere along the way, everything got mixed up, and now it is generally accepted that the remains in the Seville Cathedral belong to the son of Columbus - Diego.
Nearby is the so-called Giralda - a bell tower 114 meters high with rich patterns and ornaments, containing 22 harmoniously tuned bells. It was built as a minaret in 1196 by Abu Yusuf Yakub, its height was 82 meters. A 32-meter superstructure was added in 1568.
The main organist of the cathedral in the 18th century was the composer Manuel Blasco de Nebra.
Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia in Barcelona (1298-1420)
Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia is a cathedral in Barcelona. Also known as Saint Eulalia Cathedral or simply Barcelona Cathedral. Dedicated to the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia of Barcelona, one of the patrons of the city. Located in the Gothic Quarter.
Crypt of Santa Eulalia in Cathedral of Santa Eulalia,
Exactly this cathedral, and not, contrary to popular belief, Sagrada Familia, is the residence of the Archbishop of Barcelona and the main cathedral of Barcelona.
Construction continued from 1298 to 1420 over the crypt of the former Visigothic chapel.
The cathedral was built in the Gothic style, later Neo-Gothic elements were added.
Inside the cathedral is a patio open to visitors. White geese live in one of the chapels here.
The whiteness of the birds symbolizes the purity of Saint Eulalia. Eulalia was only 13 years old when she was martyred at the hands of the pagans, therefore there are exactly thirteen geese here.
In another part of the cathedral there is an altar dedicated to Saint Severus, a contemporary of Saint Eulalia, who was also killed by the persecutors of Christians.
The dimensions of the cathedral building are 93 m by 40 m. The height of the octagonal clock tower is about 50 m, and the height of the spire of the central tower is 70 meters
On August 12, 1867, Pope Pius IX awarded the cathedral the title of Minor Papal Basilica (lat. Basilica minor)
Although the Barcelona Cathedral is Catholic, on December 9, 2006, an Orthodox prayer service was performed in front of the relics of Saint Eulalia, who is also revered in Orthodoxy
Summing up the religious construction of Castile (the southern regions that developed under its influence are conditionally included here), it should be emphasized that despite copying French models in some cases, the assimilation of Eastern and European architectural traditions continued here.
As a result, structures were created that are characterized by a certain originality of spatial composition (choir and chapel major in the center of the main nave, symborio, flat roofs, bell towers at the side or on the western facade, underdeveloped buttresses, small windows and massive walls, squat proportions), which determine the originality of not only the appearance, but also the figurative structure of the Castilian Gothic, its harsh warlike and formidable spirit.
Literature
http://arhistroika.ru/
General history of arts. Editors - Yu. D. Kolpinsky, E. I. Rotenberg, M .: "Art", 1962.
Thanks to a long history and the influence of various currents, Spanish architecture is represented by a variety of architectural forms and styles. Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque - modern Spain is full of unique creations of masters of world renown. The various cities reflect the periods of development of Spain: from ancient times through elegant medieval gothic to plateresque and modern trends. The architecture of Spain annually attracts millions of tourists who come to see the original objects included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Characteristic features of Spanish architecture
The architectural heritage of Spain includes buildings not only on its territory, but also the creations of Spanish architects around the world. Spanish architecture begins its history with the early settlements of the peoples of the Mediterranean and is significantly ahead of the pace of development of the most ancient cultures of the Iberians and Cantabrians. Ancient Roman architecture, which flourished in Spain at the beginning of our era, had a special influence.
The appearance of Muslims in these lands in the 8th century led to the dominance of religious construction over secular. At the same time, independent architectural trends began to develop on the territory of Christian lands, which marked the beginning of Gothic and Romanticism.
To this day, the influence of the Mudéjar style, which is a mixture of European and Arabic architecture, remains noticeable. The architecture of Madrid and Barcelona most clearly represents the styles existing in Spain - from the most ancient to the present.
Revolutionary for the culture of building in these territories was the decision to use glass and concrete materials in decorative architecture. Eclecticism and modernity are clearly expressed in the works of Antonio Gaudi, who determined the style of Barcelona's development for many decades. The architect built the most famous houses in Barcelona.
In terms of the number of historically valuable buildings, Spain is in second place after Italy.
The modern architecture of Spain differs from world cultures in its technological effectiveness and boldness of decisions. The most famous architects of Barcelona, such as Luis Montaner (Casa Lleo Morera, Palace of Catalan Music), Enrique Mirayes (Santa Catarina Market) enriched not only the national architectural fund, but also worked in other countries.
ancient roman style
Beginning in the 2nd century AD, Roman rule over the Spanish territories led to rapid progress in construction. Small towns have become big cities, a network of roads was built between them. Some architectural monuments of that time are not inferior in value and quality of construction to the best Roman monuments.
The strongest Roman building traditions are manifested in Tarragona. This seaport was the capital of the Catalan territorial unit. The features of Roman architecture are clearly traced here: splendor, symmetry, practicality. Many arches, domed ceilings and colonnades emphasize the durability and complexity of construction.
The ancient Roman period is characterized by such complex engineering structures as the aqueduct in Merida, the Cordubsky, Merida, Alcantara bridges.
Some monuments of Roman architecture are still functioning today - for example, the lighthouse Tower of Hercules. Entertainment ancient Roman complexes are represented by amphitheaters, theaters and circuses on the streets of Merida, Cordoba, Toledo, Italica. The masters of the Roman era are unknown, but their work had an impact on Spain equal to that of the Muslims.
Mudéjar style
The name of this style comes from the Arabic word mudaǧǧan, which means "domesticated". It is characteristic of Spain in the 10th-12th centuries, appeared after the Visigoth raids and the destruction of numerous monuments of Roman architecture. This is a synthetic style created from Arab and European architectural traditions.
Mudejar is characterized by secondary artistic features, which negatively affects the originality and quality of buildings.
Moorish architectural elements are considered characteristic features of the style: horseshoe-shaped arches, carved wooden ceilings from typesetting dies, gypsum boards and colorful tiles. The construction was carried out from natural inexpensive materials, the finished buildings were distinguished by their simplicity and functionality. Mudéjar is typical for both residential buildings and office premises.
The most characteristic buildings in this style are the citadel and the House of Pilate in Seville, the church of El Transito in Toledo. Mudéjar is best represented in Sahagun, Toledo and Granada. The names of the masters who worked in the Mudéjar style are unknown today.
Romanesque architecture
Romanesque architecture was built simultaneously in Italy, Spain and the Pyrenees around the 13th century. The Romanesque style is characterized by primitivism: thick walls, arched galleries as a decorative element of architecture, complete absence of sculptures and stained-glass windows.
Romanesque architecture developed along with Arabic and French styles. The influence of these two cultures is especially noticeable in the facade of the church of Santa Domingo in the province of Soria.
Other representatives of the Spanish Romanesque include the Sorian Monastery of San Juan, the Basilica of Isidoro in Leon, the cathedrals of Salamanca, Zamora, Placencia. In total, there are more than 600 churches built in this period in Spain.
The formation of the Romanesque style was greatly facilitated by the monastic congregation of Cluny, which became the founder of the Way of Jacob, consisting of monasteries built at that time to serve pilgrims going to the relics of St. James.
Gothic direction
The origin took place during the heyday of the Romanesque culture (about the XIV century). This period is characterized by active struggle with Arabic culture and no less active development of the Spanish language, architecture, and fine arts.
Arab influence is observed in the walls covered with voluminous decorative ornaments, heavy facades and bell towers pointed like a minaret. The patio in Spanish houses becomes the central element of the project, the whole structure is built around it.
The best groups of monuments of Gothic art are Castilian and Catalan. They include the famous cathedrals in Toledo, Burgos and Girona, the Barcelona church of Santa Maria del Mar, the Silk Trade Exchange in Valencia. The architecture of Valencia and its development are determined by the Gothic for a long period after the first buildings.
The Royal Chapel in the city of Granada is one of the most visited Gothic attractions in Spain.
Famous architects of this time: Guillaume Beaufil, Ventura Rodriguez, Juan de Cologna, Enrique Egas.
Renaissance in Spain
Borrowing certain Gothic forms, the Renaissance began to appear at the end of the 15th century as an artistic style. Then several architectural styles were formed, one of which was Plateresco, and the other - the Renaissance. The Renaissance differed from Plateresque in the austerity of decorative elements and the restraint of planning.
The symmetry of the compositions and the classical arched forms moved the Renaissance away from the refined and aggressive Gothic.
The most memorable representatives of the Spanish Renaissance are the Charles Palace in Granada by the master Pedro Machuca, a Catalan artist and architect. Also widely known are the Escorial Monastery and Jaén Cathedral. Both monuments belong to the hand of Spanish masters - Juan de Herrera and Andres Vandelvir, respectively.
Diego de Siloé is another famous Renaissance architect who designed the façade of the building of the Royal University of Salamanca.
baroque style
The restraint and symmetry of the Renaissance were superseded by the frivolous and decorative Italian Baroque. Translated from Italian, baroque means "excess, quirkiness."
The reformation of the Catholic Church and the emergence of the teachings of Copernicus had a great influence on the formation of this trend. At the beginning of the XVIII century, the first elements of the Baroque era appear on the facade of the cathedral in Granada.
Decorative forms, elements of small stucco, arched windows, a small garden at a residential building - all this gives the Baroque style the artistry inherent in Spanish culture.
The cathedral in Valencia is one of the best examples of the greatness of the Baroque style, a mixture of real and fictional images.
Another style-defining building is the Cathedral of St. James in the city of Santiago de Compostella.
Along with the growing pretentiousness of architecture garden art develops in the style of geometricism: park areas are divided into even quarters. The best Baroque architects include Gomez de Mora (Madrid's Plaza Mayor), Carlo Fontana (Salamanca Cathedral), Francesco Hurtado (Granada Paular Monastery).
colonial architecture
The Spanish colonial style in architecture was formed mainly in the territories of the Spanish colonies in Latin America. It prevailed from the end of the 17th to the middle of the 18th century, at the beginning of the 19th century it was replaced by plateresco. Distinctive features of the colonial orientation are a mixture of baroque pretentiousness with the reliability and squatness of buildings.
A characteristic feature of the colonial style is the use of stucco material, which was used for baroque stucco molding and plastering of houses. Stucco is a durable art material, artificial marble, consisting of gypsum, glue and marble chips. Sometimes alabaster, stone powder and chalk were added to the mixture.
Over time, the colonial style received a subspecies - an exaggerated baroque called "churrigueresque".
For the first time, the colonial style appeared in the construction of the temple in Cusco.
The Church of St. Francis in Peruvian Lima is complemented by provincial buildings, which can also be seen in La Paz and Potosi. The best architect of this style is Lorenzo Rodriguez, who built the unique Metropolitano Cathedral (Mexico City).
Plateresque style
The style got its name from the Spanish word platero - jeweler. Plateresco is an eclectic style that combines the features of Mudéjar, Gothic, Italian Baroque, which is an artistic conglomeration of decorative elements with floral and fantastic motifs.
Characteristic features are facades with multi-tiered turrets, divided into three vertical parts, as well as neoclassical columns.
Plateresco can be recognized by the many medallions and heraldic symbols on the facades of buildings.
The brightest buildings of the Plateresco style are the University of Salamanca with its complex stucco moldings, the Seville Cathedral, the Infantado Palace in Guadalajara, the University of Alcala de Henares.
Diego de Riollo and Juan de Guas were recognized as the best masters who worked in the Plateresco style. They determined the mature stage in the development of plateresco and made it one of the most memorable Spanish architectural styles.
Development of modern architecture
This period begins in the 80s of the last century. The flow of European investment in the country's economy and the growing number of tourists prevented an architectural crisis. The modern architecture of Spain has such characteristics: the use of glass and concrete materials, geometric shapes, conciseness and functionality of design.
Among the objects of modern architecture, one should pay attention to the Auditorio Kursaal in Donostia, the Auditorio Tenerife, located in the Canaries, the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao.
In the period from 2006 to 2010 inclusive, a complex of four skyscrapers was built in Spain, mentioned in almost every modern guidebook: Torre Cepsa, PwC, Espacio and Cristal.
Restaurants and entertainment centers are located in these business centers, but the area is not rented out for living. The glory of the great architects of our time was earned by Santiago Calatrava, Zaha Hadid, Frank Gehry.
Conclusion
The architecture of Spain is a mixture of different styles that appeared on its territory as a result of the seizure of land by representatives of different nations. Each subsequent style determined the direction in architecture, harmoniously developing from the previous style.
Before you go to Spain for sightseeing, learn more about the features of Spanish architecture. Only in this way you can fully appreciate the level of development of architecture in this beautiful country.
Spain. About the country, history, architecture, tourism.: Video
| Architectural styles of Spain
Architectural styles of Spain
Almost all styles of world architecture are represented on the territory of this extraordinary country. Roman monuments of architecture, strict Gothic cathedrals, luxurious buildings of the Renaissance and Baroque eras ... Catalan modern is widely represented in many cities. In particular, these are the unique creations of the genius Antonio Gaudí y Cornet, in which several architectural styles are intertwined at once - from Romanesque to Plateresco: remember at least the Sograda de Familia church in Barcelona.
In the architectural appearance of fortresses and castles, churches and cathedrals, all kinds of historical buildings and residential buildings located in ancient cities, declared by UNESCO as the Patrimony of Humanity, reflect the most diverse, sometimes very unusual options for the creative self-expression of their creators.
well represented in Tarragona. This is the first Roman city on Spanish soil, the ancient capital of Catalonia, the second most important port. The fortress wall of the 3rd century BC has been preserved here. BC, an amphitheater for gladiator fights, a circus, an arch of Berus, the remains of a tower of Scipio, a Christian Necropolis, the Devil's Bridge aqueduct and the Cathedral of Santa Maria.
In their buildings, the Romans sought to emphasize the strength, power and greatness of the empire. Their buildings are characterized by monumentality, magnificent decoration of buildings, a lot of decorations, a desire for strict symmetry, an interest in the utilitarian aspects of architecture, in the creation of predominantly not temple complexes, but buildings for practical needs. Roman architects developed new constructive principles, in particular, they widely used arches, vaults and domes, along with columns, they used pillars and pilasters. Later, in the Middle Ages, the Romanesque style appeared - the great-great- (and so on) great-grandson of ancient Roman architecture.
(French Renaissance, Italian Rinascimento) - an era in the history of European culture, which replaced the culture of the Middle Ages and preceded the culture of the New Age. Approximate chronological framework of the era - XIV-XVI centuries.
A characteristic feature of this era is the return in architecture to the principles and forms of ancient, mainly Roman art. Of particular importance in this direction is given to symmetry, proportion, geometry and the order of the components, as clearly evidenced by the surviving examples of Roman architecture. The complex proportion of medieval buildings is replaced by an orderly arrangement of columns, pilasters and lintels, asymmetrical outlines are replaced by semicircular arches, hemisphere domes, niches, aedicules.
Each of the thirteen UNESCO cities has knowledge built in the Renaissance style. In Alcala de Henares, for example, these are some parts of the fortress wall, the monasteries of Madre de Dios and San Bernardo, the house-museum of Miguel Cervantes, the oldest outdoor theater other.
A special form of architecture that has developed as a result of a mixture of Moorish forms with the compositional techniques of Gothic and Renaissance. In the 15th and 16th centuries this style was created by the Mudéjars (Spanish: Mudéjar, from the Arabic "mudajan" - tamed, domestic) - a Muslim people who remained on the territory of the Iberian Peninsula, conquered by the Spanish states during the Reconquista. Initially, the Mudejars were allowed to keep their lands, laws and customs, and practice Islam. With the fall of the emirate of Granada in 1492, they were forcibly converted to Christianity: since that time they are known as Moriscos.
Mudejar style buildings are characterized by patterned brickwork, horseshoe arches, vaulted ceilings that form a star in plan, artesonado ceilings (wooden ceilings with coffered ceilings, often decorated with carvings and paintings), rich decoration of colored tiles and carvings on alabaster and knocking. One of the main monuments of this style is the towers with brick borders, which are located on the most famous granite fortress wall in Avila in Spain.
arose between the Romanesque and Renaissance periods and covered almost all areas of medieval culture. It originated in northern France and later spread to the territory of Spain and other European countries in the 12th-15th centuries.
Spanish Gothic began to take shape around the 13th century. Its development was uneven due to the territorial fragmentation of the country, the influence of individual regional traditions and the impact of Arabic art. Basically, the style manifested itself in temple architecture, while secular architecture remained faithful to the Moorish tradition. A number of Gothic techniques were introduced by the Cistercians (Catholic monastic order): the shape of the ribs of the vault, arches and the use of lancet arches. There was also a Moorish interpretation of Gothic, in which the vaults rest on cross-shaped arches, with an eight-pointed openwork star placed between them. In the Seville Cathedral, located on the site of a mosque, the former minaret serves as a bell tower.
The Cathedral of Ávila in the architecture of the eastern façade contains elements dating back most likely to French Gothic. The cathedral in Cuenca also has a pronounced Gothic character: stucco, high hexagonal vaults, leafy ornament on the capitals. One of the first Spanish churches, repeating the architecture of the Gothic cathedrals of France, was the Cathedral of Toledo (1226).
Later, an independent type of Spanish Gothic began to take shape, the main difference of which from the classical European is the refraction of the traditions of Moorish architecture and the Mudéjar style using the base of late Gothic achievements by the Isabelino style. Isabelino (Spanish Gótico isabelino, "Isabella Gothic", el gótico Reyes Católicos, "Gothic of the Catholic Kings") is a direction of Gothic architecture that arose in Spain in the 15th-16th centuries, during the reign of Queen Isabella of Castile (1474-1505) and her husband Ferdinand of Aragon ("Catholic Kings"). Prominent examples of this style are the monasteries of San Juan de los Reyes in Toledo and São Tomé in Ávila.
At the end of the 15th century, a purely Spanish architectural style appeared, which absorbed French Gothic, the Italian Renaissance, all kinds of Moorish ornaments and was distinguished by exceptionally elegant stone carvings. It was called "plateresco" (jewelery), and is distinguished by a multitude of the finest architectural patterns, extremely detailed in form and having a flat, carpet-like character.
Without affecting the construction of buildings as a whole, plateresque decor was initially superimposed on late Gothic, and later on Renaissance forms. Early plateresco combines gothic and mudejar motifs; late plateresco (starting from the first half of the 16th century) includes many ornamental motifs of the Italian Renaissance (garlands, medallions ...), as well as order elements that bring order, but do not violate general impression picturesqueness.
Plateresco masters created huge stone paintings on the walls. Objects of applied art were also made in the plateresque style. The best preserved of these are the golden tabernacles for religious relics in the form of turrets, which can be seen in the cathedrals of Santiago de Compostela, Seville and Toledo. They were created by representatives of the Garfe family.
(Italian barocco - “strange”, “bizarre”; port. perola barroca - “pearl of irregular shape”; there are other options for the origin of this word) - a characteristic of European culture of the 17th-18th centuries. Baroque as an architectural style was widely used by the Counter-Reformation in temple architecture and stood out for its special splendor. However, it has become widespread in countries not only Catholic, but also Protestant and Orthodox. Baroque is distinguished by large-scale colonnades, an abundance of sculptures on facades and in interiors, volutes (forged ornamental elements), a large number of rake-ups (small protrusions or a break in the line of the facade), arched facades with a rake-out in the middle, rusticated columns and pilasters, complex domes (often multi-tiered) , as well as telamones (atlantes), caryatids and mascarons.
In Spanish architecture, the Baroque had its own interpretation. The Churrigueresco style, named after the Spanish architect José Benito de Churriguera and his brothers, manifested itself in the decorative design of facades and interiors and was a development of baroque principles in the spirit of increased emotionality, bizarre architectural forms, fractional and chaotic elements of plastic decor. In Salamanca, for example, not far from the university, there are two interconnected temples nearby: the New Cathedral (Cathedral of Nueva) and the Old Cathedral (Cathedral of Bieja). The Churrigera brothers themselves took part in their construction.
Alexandra KHMELEVA
We used materials from the Bolshoi Soviet encyclopedia, Wikipedia, magazine "Tourism business".
