Childhood in Reus (1852 to 1869)
Born to a coppersmith family. He learnt geometry watching his father shape sheets of metal in 3D rather than flat. He was a sickly child with rheumatism, which kept him observing nature for hours.
Architecture studies (1869 to 1878)
Moved to Barcelona at 17. Studied at the Llotja School of Architecture. The dean famously said when handing his diploma: "We have given this title to either a madman or a genius."
Early career (1878 to 1883)
Designed lampposts for Plaza Real, the Workers' Cooperative of Mataro and the Casa Vicens. Met industrialist Eusebi Guell who became his lifelong patron.
Eusebi Guell partnership (1883 to 1918)
Designed Palau Guell, Park Guell, Bodegues Guell and Crypt of the Colonia Guell. Guell let Gaudi experiment with shapes nobody dared use commercially.
Religious turn (1894 to 1910)
After a 6-week fast in 1894, Gaudi turned ascetic. He began wearing rags, sleeping in his Sagrada Familia workshop and dedicating himself entirely to religious architecture.
The Sagrada Familia (1883 to 1926)
Took over the basilica at 31. From 1914 he refused all other commissions. From 1925 he lived onsite. He left the project unfinished at his death.
Death in 1926
On 7 June 1926 a tram hit him on his daily walk to confession. Mistaken for a beggar in his shabby clothes, he received late care and died on 10 June 1926. Buried in the Sagrada Familia crypt.
Frequently asked questions
- When was Antoni Gaudi born?
- Antoni Gaudi was born on 25 June 1852 in Reus, in the Tarragona province of Catalonia.
- How did Gaudi die?
- A tram hit him on Carrer de Bailen on 7 June 1926. Mistaken for a beggar, he received care late and died on 10 June at age 73.
- Was Gaudi married?
- No. Gaudi was a lifelong bachelor. He proposed once to a teacher in Mataro who turned him down. After his religious turn he dedicated his life to the church.