A cultural and spiritual journey celebrating Gaudí’s centenary
Barcelona is a city to be experienced with all five senses. Walking through it means stepping into a living history where architecture, art, spirituality and Mediterranean character intertwine in a truly unique way. In this context, 2026 will be a particularly meaningful year, as it marks the centenary of the death of Antoni Gaudí, the architect who forever transformed the city’s urban landscape and the global understanding of architecture.
Antoni Gaudí was not only an exceptional creator. He was a person deeply connected to nature, faith and a way of understanding life in which beauty, functionality and spirituality walked hand in hand. Discovering his legacy is also a way of understanding the soul of Barcelona.
Discover key information and activities for Gaudí Year 2026 through the following links:
• Sagrada Família programme 2026
• Casa Batlló – programme and visits
• Official Gaudí Year 2026 portal
A genius shaped by nature, observation and craftsmanship
Born in 1852 in the province of Tarragona, Gaudí grew up surrounded by natural landscapes that profoundly shaped his vision. Observing organic forms — curves, natural structures and light — became a constant that he later translated into his architecture.
Trained as an architect in Barcelona, he soon developed his own language, far removed from straight lines and academic conventions. For Gaudí, nature was not merely an aesthetic inspiration, but a true teacher. Nothing in his work is arbitrary: every form responds to a structural, symbolic and deeply thought-out logic.
Barcelona as a creative workshop and life stage
Most of Gaudí’s work is located in Barcelona, a city that became both his creative laboratory and his home. Walking through the city means tracing his artistic and personal evolution, from his early works to his most mature and spiritual projects.
Spaces such as Casa Batlló, Casa Milà (La Pedrera), Parc Güell and the Sagrada Família are not just architectural icons, but sensory and emotional experiences. Each building invites visitors to slow down, look up and be surprised by its details, textures and light.
From such central locations as Hotel Continental Barcelona, right on La Rambla, or Hotel Continental Palacete, in the heart of the Eixample district, guests can easily reach Gaudí’s main landmarks on foot or with very short journeys. Both hotels are an ideal starting point for discovering modernist Barcelona in comfort and at a relaxed pace.
Gaudí and spirituality: architecture with soul
Speaking about Gaudí also means speaking about spirituality. In the final stage of his life, this dimension became central. He lived austerely, devoted almost exclusively his last years to the Sagrada Família, and understood his work as a form of service to others and to God.
The Sagrada Família is not only a temple; it is a synthesis of faith, nature and architecture. The light, the colours, the columns evoking a forest… everything is designed to uplift the spirit and create an inner experience, even for non-believers. This spiritual depth is one of the reasons why Gaudí’s work connects with visitors from all over the world, beyond cultures, religions or beliefs.
2026: a year to rediscover Gaudí
To mark the centenary of his death (1926–2026), Barcelona and Catalonia will host exhibitions, cultural activities, special guided tours, publications and outreach events throughout the year, all dedicated to his life and legacy.
This context makes 2026 an exceptional moment to visit the city with a more thoughtful and conscious perspective. It is not only about seeing monuments, but about understanding the person, his thinking and his universal impact, in dialogue with the city where he created his work.
Experiencing Barcelona through local culture
Staying at our hotels means choosing a way of travelling connected to local culture, heritage and authenticity. Discovering Gaudí from Barcelona, walking through its streets, entering his buildings and taking part in Gaudí Year activities, is an experience that leaves a lasting impression.
Both Hotel Continental Barcelona and Hotel Continental Palacete offer a privileged location, attentive service and a welcoming atmosphere, ideal for those who wish to combine rest, culture and an authentic experience of the city.
In 2026, Barcelona pays tribute to its most universal creator. And you are invited to be part of this cultural, spiritual and artistic journey, with our hotels as a meeting point between history, beauty and emotion.
