Antoni Gaudi of Barcelona
Antoni Gaudi is one of the most famous and recognized Spanish architects in history. His unmistakable style and ornamentation can be seen throughout Barcelona, most noticeably in his unfinished masterpiece, the Sagrada Familia.

He was born on June 25th, 1852 in Reus, Catalonia, and was christened Antonio Placido Guillermo Gaudi i Cornet. Due to his many bouts of Rheumatic Fever, he was isolated from other children as a child and spent much of his time observing nature. He attended the College of Sciences in Barcelona at the age of seventeen, at the Regional School of Architecture. During this time he also completed his military service at the infantry.

Through the years Gaudi studied under many master architects and designers, and later branched off to study a form of engineering called estatica grafica, the study of equilibrium and its laws. As his understanding of this subject increased, new doors in architecture and design were opened to him. He continued to work during the following years under many different architects, builders and designers, gradually picking up skills in industrial design, carpentry, ironsmith, ceramics and glassmaking.

By the time he graduated in 1878, Gaudi was a master architect. He worked on various projects in Barcelona and Catalonia, quickly gaining a well-respected reputation with the Barcelonian bourgeoisie, and was offered many high-profile jobs. During this time he completed work on numerous buildings, including The Chapel of San Feliu de les Corts de Sarria, The Convent de las Selesas and the Jesuit Church of the Caspe Street, the City Hall's staircase, and the Salon de Ciento.

It was also during this time that he was offered the job of designing Barcelona's famous Sagrada Familia, a project that to this day experiences ongoing construction. The building was so magnificent that in 1922 it was proposed that the cathedral become a public work, and was then financed by the state. This huge project was the crowing achievement of Gaudi's life, and was also his last project. On June 7th, 1976, Gaudi was struck by a vehicle as he was crossing a street, and died three days later in a hospital at the age of 76. He remains today as one of the most prolific and extraordinary architects of his time, and Spain is blessed to still have most of his works remaining as a tribute to this wonderful artist.