Barcelona Honors Native Son With ‘Year of Gaudi’

Barcelona this year celebrates the 150th anniversary of the birth of Antonio Gaudi (1852-1926), the architect behind many of the unconventional designs in Spain’s second-largest city. For visitors the International Year of Gaudi, which has its formal inauguration Wednesday, brings six months of special tours and exhibitions.

Gaudi, the son of a copper maker, largely bucked the neoclassical and romantic trends that dominated his architectural studies in Barcelona. He forged a new conception of space, which he filled with fanciful forms, materials and colors. His works have long brought visitors to Barcelona.

For the anniversary year, the city will offer rare openings of private buildings designed by Gaudi, including the first floor of the Casa Batllo (9 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily) and the interior garden of the Casa Vicens (open 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily and 4 to 6 p.m. weekdays). Visitors also can drop in to the city’s cultural center for perspectives on Gaudi’s times and their influence on the artist.

On a smaller scale, from June 17 to Sept. 24, the exhibit “Gaudi: Arts, Trades and Design” at the architect’s La Pedrera building will invite visitors to contemplate furnishings he designed.

Barcelona’s regular tourist buses are modifying their routes to become “Gaudi buses” that will take visitors to nearly two dozen points of interest, where entry is first come, first served. From 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., riders can get on and off as often they like for about $12 a day ($16 for two days) for adults and $7 for children. The tickets also are good for discounts at some museums, theme parks and food chains.

Visiting hours and admission prices for some exhibits were not yet available as of the Travel section’s press time Tuesday. Organizers said they planned to post additional information by Wednesday at www.gaudi2002.bcn.es/english/flash/home/G0.htm. Another useful Web site is www.gaudiclub.com/index.asp.