Born in 1852, Gaudi came to Barcelona to study philosophy and architecture, and bequeathed more outstanding monuments to the city than any kings and counts in its long past. His work was influenced by Gothic and Arab architecture, but above all his architectural genius was inspired by the beauties of nature.
He devoted the last years of his life almost entirely to the La Sagrada Familia Cathedral, whose construction began in 1883. Gaudi spent most of his life in his small studio, rarely going out, so his face was little known, and when he was run over by a tram at the junction of Bailen and Granvia streets on 7 June 1926, no one recognised him. Because he was so poorly dressed taxi drivers refused to take the badly injured man in their cars, and he was only taken to hospital after a long delay. Two days later he died.
His funeral took place in an atmosphere of national mourning, and he was buried in the crypt of a chapel at La Sagrada Familia, still uncompleted. This magnificent cathedral was described as the ugliest building in the world by George Orwell, who lamented that it had not been destroyed during the war.