If you are looking for a way to bring art, architecture, and culture into Spanish class, Antoni Gaudi is one of the best artists to teach. His works in Barcelona are colorful, strange, symbolic, and full of details that naturally get students curious. He adds a whole new level of excitement to a unit on Spain.
In June 2026, Antoni Gaudi’s famous Sagrada Familia reached its symbolic completion, making it the tallest church in the world. Although the main exterior is finished, there are still many areas under construction until the 2030s.
To mark this monumental achievement, I think it is a perfect time to teach about Antoni Gaudi in Spanish class. Barcelona is filled with Gaudi buildings that your students will obsess over. They are unique, and unlike any other buildings they have probably seen.
Here are some of the best resources for an Antoni Gaudi Spanish Unit.
What are Gaudi’s most famous buildings?
There are 17 buildings designed by Antoni Gaudi in Barcelona. If I had to only highlight a few of Gaudi’s works, I would choose:
- La Sagrada Familia (for obvious reasons – it is his most famous)
- Park Guell
- Casa Batllo
- Casa Mila
- Casa Vicens
- Bellesguard
Antoni Gaudi Biography
Anytime I introduce a new artist to my students, I start with a biography. Get to know the artist’s background to better understand their inspiration.
Grab the biography resource here in Spanish or English with 3 differentiated texts (novice through intermediate), reading comprehension questions, and a summary page.
Here are some additional resources to support a biography:
- Antoni Gaudi para niños by Shackleton Kids (YouTube video – great visual story of Gaudi’s life)
- Antoni Gaudi, un arquitecto genial (YouTube video – about his life and famous works) (English version here)
- Las obras más impresionantes (YouTube video without audio, but short text with images)
- Las obras más famosas (YouTube video without audio, very short text for novice)
For other Hispanic artist biographies, check out this resource with Kahlo, Rivera, Picasso, Botero, and Dali.
Antoni Gaudi Barcelona Virtual Field Trip
Take your students on a trip to the six Gaudi buildings I referenced earlier without needing a plane ticket. Google Earth is the easiest way to make an interactive tour. You have complete control over where you visit. Plus, you can edit the descriptions at each stop. On my virtual trips, I add my own descriptions in the target language.
As students explore the itinerary, they get to jump into the map and move around with a 360 view. They can walk down the street and see the buildings from all angles.
It is always interesting to see what students find as they explore, because no two student experiences will be the same. I ask students to screen shot something they see and to answer questions on an interactive Google Slides.
Follow my guide to create your own Google Earth field trip or get my Gaudi field trip here in Spanish or English.
La Sagrada Familia
If you only have time for ONE Gaudí work, it should probably be La Sagrada Familia.
The official website has tons of resources, including virtual tours of the various parts of the building including the different facades, the interior, and the crypt. (Click “The Basilica” then “Virtual Tour.”) The website can be viewed in Spanish or English.
You can also show short videos that tourists have made that give an overview of the building without any audio. Here are a few examples:
Or find a video to practice authentic listening skills like these:
- Short video from TIME (English) talking about Gaudi’s inspiration from nature
- Simbología de La Sagrada Familia
Video of the Official Blessing by Pope Leo (tie in current events)
La Sagrada Familia Lesson Plan
Since La Sagrada Familia is overflowing with detail, it is difficult to have your students truly study the entire building. Grab my entire lesson plan here.
- First, start with a brief overview of the building. Either with a text or video.
- Then, divide students into groups. Each group will become experts on a specific area of the church (i.e. Nativity Facade, Crypt, Interior, etc.) They can explore their section on the official website virtual tour, on YouTube, or just with a Google Search.
- Activities for Group Work
- Play I Spy – Provide them a list of common Gaudi elements and see if they can find them in their section.
- Make a List – Students write a list of 10 items they see in their section.
- Write a Description – Students write a summary of their section.
- Present to the Class – Share what they learned with a brief presentation to the class.
If you want my lesson, just like this, complete with the jigsaw group activity, descriptions of each section, questions, I Spy, vocabulary, and more, grab it here – Spanish version or English version.
Antoni Gaudi Easy Art Project
At the end of any artist study, I try to do a culminating art project. As a Spanish teacher, I’m not looking for artistic perfection. I’m looking for creativity and the ability to emulate the artist’s style, but with your own twist. I always make students describe their artwork in the target language, whether that is through presentational writing or speaking.
For a Gaudi art project, I have students create their own Gaudi-inspired building. After really analyzing Gaudi’s famous works, we have a list of typical characteristics of his works: curved lines, natural light, stained glass, stone, detailed facades, towers, etc.
Students will choose some of his most iconic design elements and weave those into their own unique design. Again, this only works after you’ve looked at a variety of Gaudi’s famous buildings so students see a pattern in his design elements.
I’ve done similar projects for Diego Rivera, Pablo Picasso, and Frida Kahlo.
Get the Spanish or English version of my project here, complete with examples, rubric, instructions, vocabulary lists, analysis of 6 Gaudi works for inspiration, and more!
If you want an entire Antoni Gaudi Spanish unit done for you, then grab my bundle of resources for one low price. All four of these resources make a low-prep, done-for-you lesson. The Spanish bundle is perfect for novice high-intermediate students. The English bundle is for Art classes or Spanish culture classes.
Teaching art in Spanish class is one of my favorite ways to add culture to lessons. If you want to see more of my art lesson plans for Spanish class, check out these blog posts:
- 7 Frida Kahlo Lesson Plans
- 7 Pablo Picasso Lesson Plans
- Teach Murals and Art by Diego Rivera
- 5 Salvador Dali Lesson Plans
You may be teaching Gaudi during a unit on Spain, here are more lesson plans that will WOW your students.
Whether you are planning a full Antoni Gaudi Spanish unit, a lesson on La Sagrada Familia, a virtual field trip through Barcelona, or an easy Gaudi art project, his work gives students so many ways to connect with Spanish culture. From architecture and nature to faith, symbolism, and creativity, Gaudí’s buildings are the perfect way to make a unit on Spain more visual, memorable, and meaningful for your Spanish students.
