After considering everything that influenced Antoni Gaudí’s style, its boils down to three main themes that can be found in his best works: nature, Catalan modernism, and religious faith in God. Antoni Gaudí’s love for nature began in his early childhood and developed into deep appreciation for his native land of the Mediterranean. Time spent outdoors, particularly during the summer stays in the Gaudí family home, Mas de la Calderera, gave him the opportunity to study nature.[1] Gaudí developed his nature inspired systems and tools for architecture during the Art Nouveau. Art Nouveau set the international context for Catalan modernism. Through new architecture, Catalan modernism attempted to give Catalonia its own individual unique style. Spearheaded by Antoni Gaudí, Catalan modernism architecture developed into its own nature inspired style.1
Parc Guell, perhaps, displays the three major themes of Antoni Gaudí the best out of all of his works. Firstly, the way his construction blends in and coexists in harmony with natural is amazing. Lively palm trees and plants coat every walkway to make one feel like they are in a natural forest. Underpasses constructed out of stone gives the impression that you are in the pocket of a breaking wave. Religious themes are clearly present at the two best viewing points from the park. At the top of the park, a giant stone cross looks out to the Mediterranean. And from the worlds longest bench, in the foreground of a stunning view of the Barcelona, is a four-armed cross, a common Catholic symbol of Gaudí. And of course, in Antoni Gaudí’s only town planning project, symbols of Catalan nationalism are present. At the entrance to the park is Gaudí’s multicolored mosaic dragon fountain. The dragon, representing the one slayed by St. George of course, has become an iconic symbol for Barcelona, Catalonia, and Gaudí himself. Nearby is the mosaic serpent fountain, which the Catalan flag is displayed behind, also in mosaic form.
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