Palau Güell

The Palau Guell in Barcelona is one of the first works of Antoni Gaudí. It is located in Carrer Nou de la Rambla 3-5.

The building, designed by Gaudi for Eusebi Güell his patron townhouse was built between 1886 and 1890. To him for the first time shows the connection of decorative and structural elements that represent a characteristic feature of the most important later works of Gaudí. He used the different decorative possibilities of iron carrier elements. Furthermore, he used extremely flat Byzantine brick vaults. Striking at the front are the two great goals (see picture), through which one could enter with horse-drawn carts to get to the bottom stables and storerooms, while guests could go by stairs to the upper floors.

In this early work by Gaudí are clearly noticing his efforts to overcome historicism and to find a new design language. While the façade is reminiscent in parts of a Venetian palace ( as a reminder that Güells mother comes from Italy ), the interior of the Palau Güell is home to a rich endowment of craft work, marquetry, custom-designed furniture and decorations. The pieces of furniture are all designed by Gaudí himself and impress not only by their shape, but also by their style, as combined here with modernist classical elements. Are impressive especially the elaborate vaults and ceilings. On the roof, playful figures and shapes can already be found (in the form of the covers of the chimneys and ventilation towers ), as they are known as the Park Guell ago. Overall, the building leaves a dignified and majestic impression - an effect which Gaudí consciously sought as a tribute to his client.

Front is located between the wickets a wrought iron work that represents the Catalan flag. Above is the famous dragon, also a sign of Catalonia, as well as a guardian of the entrance. Both shows that both the client as well as the architect were very patriotic.

The Palau Güell was recorded together with other works of Gaudí in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1984.

In the years 2002 to 2011, the Palau Güell has been completely restored and has since been re-opened for the visit.