Famed for its architectural treasures, Barcelona is dotted with striking Gothic cathedrals, fantastical Modernisme creations and avant-garde works.

Building first boomed in the late Middle Ages, when Barcelona was seat of the Aragonese-Catalan empire. In the late 19th century, the city broke its medieval confines and was transformed through whimsical architectural movement called Modernisme (Catalan Art Nouveau). The third notable era of design began in the late 1980s and continues today.

But Barcelona's architectural gift to the world was Modernisme, a flamboyant Catalan creation that erupted in the late 19th century. Modernisme was personified by the visionary work of Antoni Gaudí, a giant in the world of architecture. Imaginative creations by Gaudi and his contemporaries have filled Barcelona with dozens of masterpieces.

Photos credit: Peter Rajkai