Six Gaudí pieces aspire to be UNESCO World Heritage Sites 

The Gaudí chair of the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC) and six entities of buildings created by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí have signed a protocol to work towards achieving UNESCO's World Heritage Site status. 

These buildings are the Catedral-Basílica of Santa Maria of Mallorca, the Torres Bellesguard Gaudí and the Col·legi Teresià in Barcelona, the Caprici de Gaudí de Comillas in Cantabria, the Museo Casa Botines Gaudí in León, and the Palau Episcopal de Gaudí in Astorga.  

UPC's Gaudí chair will act as an entity to help with the documentation and research process about Gaudí's work in order to get all the architect's pieces recognized by UNESCO by 2026, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Gaudí's death.  

According to the protocol presented by the entities, the work in research, restoration, and general improvement of the buildings that has been ongoing since 2005 determines that these landmarks have acquired the necessary assessment to be added to UNESCO's World Heritage Site list.  

Next year is expected to begin the program Any Gaudí 2026 with activities related to the heritage, art, culture, and education to draw attention to Antoni Gaudí's work, and emphasize the scientific knowledge of his contributions.  

A lot of Gaudí's creations in Catalonia are already part of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites list, such as Sagrada Família, Gaudí's famous unfinished basílica, Park Güell, a garden located in the hills hanging over the city of Barcelona, Palau Güell, a mansion located in the center of the Catalan capital, Casa Batlló, a creation with bony-looking windows and balconies, Casa Milà also known as La Pedrera, Casa Vicens, Gaudí's first major work in Barcelona, and Colònia Güell and Gaudí's Crypt, just a short train journey outside Barcelona.