How Spanish city of Barcelona inspired Star Wars with architecture that looks like Darth Vadar and the evil Empire’s stormtroopers
Spanish city boasts stunning architecture, not to mention gorgeous beaches and tasty food
A LONG time ago in a city far, far away, Darth Vader was conceived.
Not on the planet Tatooine, but on the roof of a building in Barcelona.
There, perched on Casa Milà, stand a row of chimneys that resemble the Star Wars villain and the evil Empire’s stormtroopers.
It is said these stone funnels gave George Lucas the inspiration for the characters’ masks when he visited the Catalan capital in the Seventies.
And the force is definitely strong with this building.
It is one of NINE sites in the city to be awarded World Heritage status by Unesco.
Architect Antoni Gaudi is responsible for SEVEN of them.
Casa Milà is one of his most ambitious projects and considered one of the most famous buildings of the Catalan Art Nouveau period.
His stunning architecture thrives here.
Casa Batlló, with its radical human bone-like pillars, broke all city by-laws during its construction, but was later crowned building of the year.
However, the astonishing La Sagrada Familia — arguably his most famous work — has been in construction since 1892 and is still not finished.
Although, when Gaudi was appointed chief architect in 1883, he insisted: “My client is not in a hurry.”
It was supposed to be the world’s tallest church, with 18 magnificent towers.
Today, it looks more like the Millennium Falcon.
Completion is not expected until 2026 but that hasn’t stopped it becoming Barcelona’s No1 tourist attraction, with three million visitors a year.
There’s much more to Barcelona than architecture.
STAYING THERE: Rooms at the Barcelo Raval are from £119 per night based on two sharing, including breakfast.
To book, go to or call 0034 933 201 490.