Palau Güell

Completed in 1890, the building was the private residence of Gaudí's patron, Count Güell. The Palau Güell is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The wealthy industrialist, landowner and politician Eusebi Güell i Bacigalupi (Barcelona, 1846-1918) was Gaudí's main patron. In 1885, when the architect was still unknown, Count Güell commissioned him to design his private residence. Gaudí was aware that Güell wanted to show off his wealth to his friends and acquaintances (the house was to be used for exhibitions, concerts and other events) and he created an unusual, bold architectural project. He made innovative use of traditional building techniques, as well a wide variety of materials, with particular emphasis on more expensive ones such as marble. Gaudí combined the typical square structure of Catalan medieval palazzos and exquisite wooden coffered ceilings with innovations such as the parabolic arch which became a hallmark of his work. However, Gaudí didn't just create a palazzo, he created a metaphor too, as the building rises up, like Güell, from poor beginnings, represented by the austerity of the basement and ground floor, to wealth, as embodied by the riot of colour on the roof. Indeed, the ground floor, with its simple grey marble, contrasts magically with the interplay of colours and forms of the 20 sculptural chimneys on the roof, which are covered in broken pieces of ceramic tile, marble and stained glass and are the iconic symbols of the Palau Güell.

Prices

General input 12
Audioguia inclosa in preu de l'entry.

Timetables

From 1st November to 31st March, from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10am to 5.30pm.
Last acces time at 4.30 pm.
From 1st April to 31st October, from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10am to 8pm.
Last acces time at 7 pm.
Closed Mondays except public holidays, December 25th and 26th, January 1st and January 6th to 13th.