World Art Nouveau Day is marked every year on 10 June, the anniversary of the deaths of two greats of the movement: Catalan Antoni Gaudí and Hungarian Ödön Lechner. What better way to honour the architecture and design style – recognisable for its flowing lines, asymmetry, sense of dynamism, and intricate designs – than taking a whistle-stop tour of some of Europe’s best examples of Art Nouveau architecture. If you’re not lucky enough to find yourself in an hotspot, fear not: Euronews Culture has rounded up some of the most distinctive Art Nouveau architecture across the continent, from Brussels to Budapest.
Built from 1905 to 1911, Prague’s Municipal House (Obecní Dům) is beloved for its flamboyant floral motifs and colourful stained glass windows. Decorated by such famed artists and sculptors as Alfons Mucha, Jan Preisler, Ladislav Šaloun, the building now houses the Smetana Concert Hall – famed as Prague’s most beautiful. Casa Batlló is just one of of Art Nouveau architecture in Barcelona – on the very same street (the glam Passeig de Gràcia), in fact, you'll also find the equally spectacular La Pedrera building.
Built between 1904 and 1906, Casa Batlló is a worthy entry in its own right, though: its glistening mosaic-adorned facade, bone-reminiscent columns, dragon's-back roof design and undulating balconies are icons of Gaudí's genius and whimsical style. Completed in 1898 by Joseph Maria Olbrich, the Secession Building (Secessionsgeba.
