Antoni Plàcid Guillem Gaudí i Cornet - Beautiful Spanish Architect

Gaudí was a devout Catholic, to the point that in his later years, he abandoned secular work
and devoted his life to Catholicism and his Sagrada Família. He designed it to have 18 towers,
12 for the 12 apostles, 4 for the 4 evangelists, one for Mary and one for Jesus. Soon after, his
closest family and friends began to die. His works slowed to a halt, and his attitude changed.

One of his closest family members – his niece Rosa Egea – died in 1912, only to be followed by
a "faithful collaborator, Francesc Berenguer Mestres" two years later. After these tragedies,
Barcelona fell on hard times, economically...

IN 1926, Gaudí was run over by a tram! Because of his ragged attire and empty pockets,
many cab drivers refused to pick him up for fear that he would be unable to pay the fare.

He was eventually taken to a pauper's hospital in Barcelona. Nobody recognized the injured
artist until his friends found him the next day. When they tried to move him into a nicer hospital,
Gaudí refused, reportedly saying "I belong here among the poor." He died three days later
(aged 74), half of Barcelona mourning his death.

What a genius...what a way to die! Was he gay? Who knows. But his designs were FABULOUS!
And what better reason to go to Spain?!