Francisco de Paula del Villar y Lozano facts for kids
Francisco de Paula del Villar y Lozano (born 1828 in Murcia, died 1901 in Barcelona) was a famous Spanish architect. He designed many important buildings, including some churches. He is also known for starting the work on the famous Sagrada Família church in Barcelona.
Contents
Life of a Spanish Architect
Francisco del Villar studied architecture in Madrid. He went to the Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando. He finished his studies and became a qualified architect in 1852.
The next year, he moved to Barcelona. There, he became a member of an important art group. Today, this group is called the Reial Acadèmia Catalana de Belles Arts de Sant Jordi.
Important Projects and Roles
In 1854, a serious illness called cholera spread. Villar helped by designing special hospitals. These hospitals were built quickly to help sick people.
He also held many important jobs. He was the president of the Association of Architects. He also directed the Higher School of Architecture.
From 1874 to 1892, Villar was the main architect for the church. This job is called a diocesan architect. After him, his son, Francesc de Paula del Villar i Carmona, took over this role.
Villar worked on restoring several old churches. He fixed up the church of Santa Maria del Pi. He also worked on the Basílica de Santa Maria de Vilafranca. Another building he restored was the Casa de Misericòrdia. He designed many new churches too. He also designed part of the Monastery of Montserrat. A very famous architect, Antoni Gaudí, worked with him on this project when he was younger.
Starting the Sagrada Família
In 1877, Francisco del Villar received a big job. A group called the Associació de Devots de Sant Josep asked him to build a new church. This church would become the famous Sagrada Família.
Villar's Design and Departure
Villar planned the Sagrada Família in a style called Neo-Gothic. This style looks like old Gothic churches. Of his original plan, only the crypt was built. The crypt is the underground part of the church.
In 1883, Villar stopped working on the project. He had disagreements with Joan Martorell. Martorell was an architect who advised Josep Maria Bocabella. Bocabella was in charge of the group building the church.
After Villar left, the job was offered to Martorell. But Martorell did not take the job. Instead, he suggested Antoni Gaudí. Gaudí then took over the Sagrada Família project. He made it into his most famous work.
See also
In Spanish: Francisco de Paula del Villar y Lozano para niños
