Joan Martorell:
Gaudi’s Master
In the very heart of 19th‑century Barcelona rises the figure of Joan Martorell i Montells: an architect whose life and work have left an indelible mark on the city.
Revered by his contemporaries as “a man of wisdom and sanctity”, Martorell devoted himself entirely to the art of construction. His life was a ceaseless pursuit of architectural rigor and faith, driven by a near‐mystical devotion to his craft. So much so that nothing, not even romantic love, could divert him from his quest for perfection.
Gaudí’s Master embodies this enduring legacy, serving as an homage to two towering visionaries: Joan Martorell i Montells and Antoni Gaudí.
Joan Martorell i Montells
Joan was born into a family steeped in construction tradition. His father, Pau Martorell, was a “master of works” whose active career in Barcelona gave the city landmarks such as Casa Sicart in Plaça de Catalunya. Joan began his own studies as a master in 1864 and earned his diploma on February 13, 1867. His final project—a house for a lawyer in Mataró completed in December 1866—remains preserved in the archives of the Superior Technical School of Architecture, a testament to his early promise.
In the early 1870s, Barcelona introduced its first formal School of Architecture, offering students a new, specialized path beyond traditional construction apprenticeships. Martorell was among the first to enroll, graduating in 1872 as part of the city's inaugural class of architects. However, official recognition of his title did not come until 1876—a bureaucratic delay that only made his achievement more meaningful. According to accounts from the time, Martorell celebrated this milestone by inviting two of his fellow graduates, along with a young final-year student, Antoni Gaudí, to a celebratory meal at “Fonda Catalunya”, near Plaça Reial. This gathering, nearly legendary today, marked the beginning of a relationship that would profoundly shape Barcelona’s architectural landscape.
From the very start of his career, Martorell distinguished himself through his mastery of neo-Gothic architecture, balancing historical reverence with technical innovation. His work on the Sagrat Cor de Jesús church in Sarrià demonstrated his ability to revive the grandeur of medieval structures, while his design for the convent and church of the Adoratrices further cemented his reputation for precision and sensitivity.
A visionary
Martorell was not just a traditionalist—he was an innovator unafraid to push boundaries. In 1882, he submitted an ambitious proposal for the façade of Barcelona’s Cathedral, featuring a soaring 102-meter spire. Though his design was ultimately not chosen, it reflected his bold creative spirit. That same year, he took part in designing a monastery and church for the Celestine Benedictines in Villaricos, in southern Spain. It was in this project that his collaboration with Gaudí became particularly evident, as he entrusted the young architect with the church’s design.
Gaudí: forging a genius
It was within this world of majestic stonework and intricate craftsmanship that a young Antoni Gaudí discovered his calling. Born into a family of metalworkers, Gaudí had a deep understanding of materials, form, and structure. Arriving in Barcelona in 1870, eager to absorb everything the city had to offer, he quickly found himself under the mentorship of Martorell.
Martorell instilled in him an appreciation for detail, a reverence for artisanal techniques, and an understanding of how architecture could be both poetic and precise. This relationship between master and disciple would prove instrumental in shaping Gaudí’s groundbreaking vision; one that would eventually redefine architecture itself and place Barcelona at the focus of artistic innovation.
History and modernity
The Gaudí’s Master programme celebrates this sublime blend of tradition and innovation, a balance of structural discipline and creative freedom. It is an homage to the elegance of Martorell’s carefully measured designs and the uninhibited genius of Gaudí, whose imagination defied convention to create forms that still feel radical today.
The Church of Saint Francis de Sales, built between 1877 and 1885, is a silent witness to this artistic legacy. Every arch, every carefully carved detail, reflects the grace of neo-Gothic and neo-Mudéjar influences, styles that still captivate those who step inside its walls.
Within this space, architecture becomes more than just a structure. It becomes an act of faith, artistry, and harmony with its surroundings. Today, Martorell’s vision echoes throughout the city, reimagined through new cultural expressions that invite visitors to rediscover Barcelona’s soul.
Experience art
Gaudí’s Master is the living history of a city that embraced its past to shape a future overflowing with creativity and emotion. It is where precision meets artistry, where technique intertwines with poetic expression in every line, every note, every form.
Immerse yourself in history, the splendor of art, and the inspiring legacy of these two geniuses. Discover how architecture and music intertwine to reveal the true essence of Barcelona, and allow yourself to be moved by the local magic that Gaudí and Martorell evoke.