The Raval retrieves Palau Güell

The building was built between 1885 and 1890 and represents one of Antoni Gaudi's, foremost representative of the Catalan modernist movement, first commissions.

21.06.2011
The Palau Güell building was designed by the famous architect Antoni Gaudí and marks the beginning of European modern architecture. It has just reopened its doors after having been closed during seven years due to refurbishing.

The visit to the stately mansion costs 10 euros and there are also audio guides available, although it's better to reserve the tour in advance in view of the limited visitor's capacity. The tour begins with the carriage entrance which leads to the stables and ends up on the terrace, where we find the twenty two famous geometrically shaped chimneys designed with the renowned trencadis (small pieces of broken tiles) mosaic technique. Other examples of this technique can be seen in other Gaudi's works such as Casa Milà, better known as La Pedrera.

Halfway through the tour, visitors can contemplate the entrance hall, an ample hall with a height equivalent to three floors; the dining room, with its original noble wood furniture; the spectacular concert hall and chapel dome and finally Lady and Lord Güell's chambers are just some of the building's treasured secrets. Inside the palace, one is overwhelmed by the mudejar decoration style. This style is characterized by the use of XIII and XVI century Christian conservation and Arab ornamental elements. The external appearance displays a monumental entrance with parabolic arch shaped doors and wrought iron grilles adorned with the Catalonian shield and a yelmo, a Medieval helmet.

The palace, built between 1885 and 1890 and situated on the calle Nou de la Rambla, next to avenida Paral•lel and very close to the seaport, was commissioned by Eusebi Güell, an industrialist, politician and Barcelona's patron in addition to possessing the title of Count of Güell.

UNESCO declared it World Heritage Site in 1984 and it is Gaudi's only work to be located in the Gothic Quarter's district, since most his buildings, such as the Sagrada Família and Casa Batlló, are in the Eixample district.