Before diving into the celebrations, it is worth remembering who Antoni Gaudí was.
Who is Antoni Gaudí?
Antoni Gaudí, born in 1852 in Reus (or Riudoms, depending on the source) and died in Barcelona in 1926, is the greatest exponent of Catalan modernism and one of the most influential architects in history. His work, deeply inspired by the forms of nature, geometry and religious faith, broke with all established canons.
He used to say that "the straight line belongs to man, the curve to God", and he demonstrated this in each of his buildings. Seven of his creations, including the Sagrada Família, Park Güell, Casa Batlló and La Pedrera, have been declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
2026 is not just any year in Barcelona. It marks exactly one century since the death of Catalonia's most universal architect. Therefore, the Gaudí Year 2026 is the most anticipated cultural event of the decade.
Below I explain why this Gaudí Year 2026 is unique and what is the special bond between Antoni Gaudí and The Sun Places.
📜 What is Gaudí Year 2026?
The Gaudí Year 2026 is an official commemoration promoted by the Government of Catalonia to honour the centenary of the death of Antoni Gaudí. It is an interdisciplinary celebration that goes beyond mere historical retrospect: exhibitions, international congresses, concerts, architectural routes and cultural experiences will make it possible to understand the scientific, artistic and human dimension of the architect.
📍 Barcelona, World Capital of Architecture 2026
The Gaudí Year 2026 also coincides with a major milestone: Barcelona has been named World Capital of Architecture 2026 by UNESCO and the UIA.
The architecture, urban planning and landscaping of this diverse and dense city face challenges of economic, social and environmental sustainability that will be debated throughout the year.
This dual status of Gaudí Year 2026 and "World Capital of Architecture" makes Barcelona the international epicentre of design, urban planning and architectural creation throughout 2026, with more than 75 museums, markets, libraries, squares and streets hosting activities.
📅 The highlights of Gaudí Year 2026
🏗️ Sagrada Família: inauguration of the Tower of Jesus Christ
- The main event of the Gaudí Year 2026 will take place on the very day of the centenary, Wednesday 10 June 2026 in the afternoon. That day will see the blessing and inauguration of the Tower of Jesus Christ, the highest and most symbolic point of Antoni Gaudí's project. At 172.5 metres high, it will become the tallest church in Europe.
- The event will be presided over by Pope Leo XIV, who will solemnly bless the tower in a celebration of great spiritual and institutional significance. The inauguration will end with a light show that will illuminate the tower and the Barcelona sky in a visual tribute to the creativity of Antoni Gaudí.
⛪ Park Güell: centenary community dinner (26 April)
- Park Güell also celebrates a century as a municipal public space. It was on 26 April 1926 that the City Council bought the estate and opened it to the public. To celebrate, on 26 April 2026, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., a community dinner will be organised in the park itself, open to residents and visitors. A garden party not seen in a hundred years.
🏠 Casa Batlló: exhibitions, theatre and Sant Jordi
- One of the epicentres of the Gaudí Year 2026 is Casa Batlló:
- Exhibition "Beyond the Façade" (until 17 May 2026). A work by the collective United Visual Artists in the new Casa Batlló Contemporary space. An immersive installation exploring the light, geometry and rhythms of the building.
- Sant Jordi 2026 (23 April): In addition to its iconic decoration of roses on the balconies, two exclusive books and commemorative editorial novelties will be launched.
- Musical theatre "Gaudí, el despertar del geni" (premiere 26 June): A work that transports the audience to the architect's childhood, exploring his struggle against illness and his connection with nature.
🎺 La Pedrera: Talents Jazz 2026 festival
- From 29 May to 31 July 2026, the rooftop of La Pedrera will be filled with emerging jazz every Friday from 8:00 p.m. to 10:15 p.m. The Talents Jazz festival combines live music and architectural heritage in a unique setting: next to the chimneys and sculptural volumes of Antoni Gaudí, with views over Barcelona. The general admission costs €42 and includes access to the Attic of the building and a glass of cava.
🏛️ Other notable activities of Gaudí Year 2026
National Art Museum of Catalonia
- Exhibition "Gaudí and his contemporaries"
- Virtual themed visits in the form of digital short stories
Mallorca Cathedral
- Solemn mass and social event to commemorate the centenary
Casa Vicens
- Restoration of the smoking room (Orientalist)
- Celebration of Santa Rita on 22 May
La Pedrera
- International Gaudí Congress 2026
- It will bring together the leading specialists
Torre Bellesguard
- Special activities and themed visits
Palau Güell
- Exhibitions and open days
🧵 What Antoni Gaudí and The Sun Places have in common
At first glance, a brilliant 19th-century architect and a luxury apartment brand may seem worlds apart. However, Antoni Gaudí and The Sun Places share an essential philosophy: the pursuit of excellence, attention to detail and the creation of spaces that improve people's lives.
🌿 Nature as inspiration
- Antoni Gaudí observed nature to extract forms, structures and technical solutions. At The Sun Places we also draw inspiration from the environment to design apartments that integrate into the city without sacrificing warmth and sustainability. Our spaces are designed so that light, noble materials and exterior views are the protagonists, just as Antoni Gaudí did in his light wells and terraces.
✨ Obsession with detail
- Antoni Gaudí could spend hours adjusting the inclination of a column or the colour of a piece of trencadís. At The Sun Places we are equally meticulous: we select every piece of furniture, every textile and every piece of equipment to make your stay perfect. We leave nothing to chance.
🏠 Creating spaces that move people
- Antoni Gaudí's works are not cold; they are organic, welcoming, full of symbolism. The Sun Places aspires to the same: that each apartment is a home away from home, a place where you feel cared for, inspired and connected to the city. The difference lies in the scale: he transformed entire neighbourhoods; we transform the corner where you rest after a day of cultural tourism.
🎨 Commitment to Barcelona
- Both Antoni Gaudí and The Sun Places have an inseparable relationship with Barcelona. He put his signature on the urban landscape; we place our apartments in the best locations (Passeig de Gràcia, Gothic Quarter, near the Sagrada Família) so you can experience the city from within. We both believe that this city deserves to be experienced with passion and respect.
📅 Gaudí Year 2026 as a meeting point
Precisely because of this shared set of values, The Sun Places becomes the ideal accommodation for those travelling to Barcelona for the Gaudí Year 2026. Not only because we will be just a few metres away from the most emblematic works, but because you will understand that luxury is not ostentation, but the ability to enjoy beauty, history and comfort in perfect harmony.
🏠 How to experience Gaudí Year 2026 with The Sun Places
At The Sun Places we have prepared a unique experience for you to experience the Gaudí Year 2026 from the heart of Barcelona.
✅ Reasons to stay with The Sun Places
- Gaudí Year 2026 from your window: From some of our terraces you will be able to see the illuminated façade of Casa Batlló during the centenary nights and hear the echoes of the Talents Jazz concerts.
- Personalised concierge service: We help you get tickets for the most popular events: Sagrada Família inauguration, Park Güell community dinner and concerts at La Pedrera.
- "Pure Gaudí" routes: We design architectural itineraries that connect the seven UNESCO World Heritage works of Antoni Gaudí, with private guided tours.
- Additional experiences: We organise visits to the MNAC exhibitions and the Casa Vicens restoration workshops, combined with wine tastings on exclusive terraces.
- Luxury rest: After a day following in the footsteps of Antoni Gaudí, you will return to an exclusive refuge with high-end beds and views of the city.
📞 Experience Gaudí Year 2026 with The Sun Places
The Gaudí Year 2026 is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to rediscover Barcelona, to walk on the same hexagonal tiles that Antoni Gaudí designed and to witness first-hand the culmination of his most ambitious dream: the Sagrada Família. And there is no better way to experience it than by staying in the city centre, just a few steps from the magic, with The Sun Places.
"To do things well, first comes love, then technique" – Antoni Gaudí
✨ Contact The Sun Places and book your Luxury Apartment in Barcelona. The centenary of Antoni Gaudí awaits you. ✨
If you want to take a tour of Spain in addition to witnessing the Gaudí Year 2026, we invite you to discover the excellence of our Luxury Apartments in Seville, Luxury Apartments in Cádiz, Luxury Apartments in Puerto Banús and Luxury Apartments in Sanlúcar de Barrameda among other destinations.
What are you waiting for?