9 World Heritage buildings

Entering the club of properties inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List is a highly restricted privilege, since the criteria of its selection committee are incredibly strict. That’s what makes it so impressive that the regions of Barcelona boast a total of 9 World Heritage buildings. They’re all must-see attractions for architecture enthusiasts!

Parc Güell, Palau Güell and Casa Milà were the first buildings by Antoni Gaudí to be inscribed on the World Heritage List, as far back as 1984. And this recognition by UNESCO helped enormously to raise the international profile of the exceptionally talented Catalan modernist architect. Four other works by Gaudí were added to this inventory of global gems in 2005: Casa Vicens, Casa Batlló, the Sagrada Família and the Crypt of the Colònia Güell. The Crypt of the what? The Crypt of the Colònia Güell! Yes, we’re well aware that this is the least famous of the 7 buildings. But that doesn’t mean anything! Housed in the Colònia Güell, a unique Catalan modernist model village founded for textile workers in Santa Coloma de Cervelló, the Gaudí Crypt is very special building in which, among other things, straight lines don’t exist.

Would you like to discover the other buildings in the regions of Barcelona inscribed on UNESCO’s list? Well you’ll have to head back to the capital city, home to the Palau de la Música Catalana and the Hospital de Sant Pau, two Catalan modernist gems conjured up by one of Gaudí’s friends: the architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner. Inscribed as World Heritage sites in 1997, these buildings are not considered masterpieces of Catalan modernism for nothing! The Palau de la Música Catalana is an impressive concert hall whose beauty competes with its perfect acoustics. Meanwhile, at the Hospital de Sant Pau complex, you’re sure to love the gardens, the clock tower and the pavilions decorated with multi-coloured mosaics.

 

  • Question: What elements of cultural heritage in the regions of Barcelona are inscribed on UNESCO’s List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity? If you don’t know, click on this link for the answer.


More information:

UNESCO World Heritage List
Casa Milà
Casa Vicens
Casa Batlló
Parc Güell
Sagrada Família
Colònia Güell Crypt
Palau de la Música Catalana
Recinte modernista de l'Hospital de Sant Pau