Gaudi was born into a family of metalsmiths in the town of Reus, Baix Camp, in 1852. He claims to have been largely influenced by this family trade, which was the origin of his personal vision and understanding of space.

At the age of eighteen he decided to move to Barcelona and became an architect student. While he pursued his career, he used to work in architect studios.

Between 1900 and 1917 the architect devoted himself to designing and creating and restoring, developing his own characteristic style.

It was during this period when he restored the Casa Batlló (Batlló House) and built the Park Güell and the church bearing the same name: the Church of Colònia Güell. The construction of the Milà house (known as ‘La Pedrera’) and the schools of the Sagrada Família took place during this period as well.

After 1918, Gaudi devoted the last years of his life entirely to his most representative masterpiece, the Sagrada Família or Holy Family. He was involved in a terrible and unfortunate accident that resulted in his death, when run over by a tram.

The Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família ("Expiatory Temple of the Holy Family”) is located between the streets Marina, Provença, Sardenya and Mallorca. This work of art was initially a neo-Gothic project designed by the architect Francesc de Paula del Villar.

Until 1891, when the project was placed in the hands of Gaudi, who replaced the old plan and developed an ambitious endeavor which resulted in the impressive present-day structure.

The Sagrada Familia (the Holy Family) is basically a symbolic construction. It has three monumental façades: one dedicated to the Birth of Christ; a second one dedicated to the Passion and Death; and finally, the largest one is dedicated to the religious faith.

The four towers in each façade intend to represent the twelve apostles and a dome- shaped tower which crowns the apse is the symbol of the Mother of God. Finally, the central spire symbolises the Saviour.