Antoni Gaudí was the most famous of the Modernist architects and his heavy use of bright ceramics and unusual shapes brought the word "gaudy" into the English language.
Barcelona is worth a visit for Gaudi fans as 75% of his works are located in the city. Gaudí's originality was at first ridiculed by his peers.
Indeed, he was first only supported by the rich industrialist Eusebi Güell.
His fellow citizens referred to the Casa Milà as La Pedrera ("the quarry"), and George Orwell, who stayed in Barcelona during the Spanish Civil War, admittedly loathed his work.
As time passed, though, his work became more famous. He stands as one of history's most original architects.
