AROUND TOWN - Top 10 Barcelona - page 99

! Sagrada Família Gaudí's wizardry culminated

in this enchanting, wild, uncon-
ventional temple, which dominates
the city skyline (see pp8-10).
@ La Pedrera A daring, surreal fantasyland,

and Gaudí's most remarkable
civic work (see pp20-21).
£ Mansana de la Discòrdia

Windows, Casa Battló, Mansana de
la Discòrdia

the overall splendour of the block.
The Perfume Museum at No. 39 is
heaven for scent-lovers (see p41) .
d Pg de Gràcia 35-45 • Map E2
$ Hospital de la Santa Creu

At the heart of the city's
Quadrat d'Or (Golden Square) lies
this stunning block of houses.
Literally “the block of discord , the
Mansana de la Discòrdia is so-
called because of the dramatic
contrast of its three flagship build-
ings. Built between 1900 and 1907
by the three Modernista greats,
rival architects Gaudí, Domènech
i Montaner and Puig i Cadafalch,
the buildings were commissioned
by competing bourgeois families.
Domènech is represented by the
ornate Casa Lleó Morera (see
p33) ; Puig makes his mark with
the Gothic-inspired Casa Amatller
(see p33) ; and Gaudí flaunts his
architectural prowess with Casa
Batlló (see p33) . All boast superb
interiors: Casa Amatller runs
tours of the vestibule but Casa
Lleó Morera is sadly closed to
the public. The lesser-known
houses at Nos. 37 and 39 add to

i de Sant Pau
Still a fully functioning hospital, it
was built in two stages from
1905 by Domènech i Montaner
and his son. A tribute to
Modernisme - and Domènech's
answer to Gaudí's Sagrada
Família - the sumptuous design
comprises eight pavilions and
various other buildings linked by
underground tunnels. The pavil-
ions, each different, recall the
history of Catalonia with murals,
mosaics and sculptures. Interlac-
ing the buildings are gardens
creating beautiful outdoor oases.
The courtyards and gardens are
open to visitors. Part of the Ruta
del Modernisme (see p133) . d C/
Sant Antoni Maria Claret 167 • Map H1

Left Hospital de la Santa Creu i de Sant Pau Right Casa Lléo Morera, Mansana de la Discòrdia

103

For more on Antoni Gaudí See p11