Güell Pavilions

The Pavellons Güell (, Güell pavilions ') in Barcelona are a work of the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. Formerly located on the outskirts of the city, the property is now on Avinguda Pedralbes 7 The contract for the construction of the industrialist Eusebi Güell issued, whereby the long standing cooperation between the two began. Gaudí designed a gatehouse, a horse stable and the enclosing wall of the existing Finca Güell. This estate was purchased by the father of the owner in 1860. On the extensive wooded area a house from the middle of the 19th century was already by Joan Martorell ( Palau Reial de Pedralbes today ). After the death Güells whose son donated the possession of the city of Barcelona.

The gatehouse consists of a single octagonal floor including dome, the two rectangular buildings are connected, and is the main entrance gate to the left. The stables, to the right, forming an elongated rectangle, which is characterized by its parabolic arches and a dome. Both pavilions fit directly into the enclosing wall.

The most famous part is probably the iron entrance gate. It is considered a masterpiece of blacksmithing and is a dragon with wide open mouth and spread wings dar. The menacing impression is reinforced by a mechanism that the jaws are moved by when opening the door.

At this early work by Gaudí is already showing basic features of his original style, such as the combination of different materials ( brick and iron), the use of ceramics in all its colors and curving lines and naturalistic forms.

With the expansion of Avinguda Diagonal, the grounds of the country house was divided. In the 1950s, the University of Barcelona acquired the ensemble, which was declared a National Monument in 1969. The stables house since 1978, since 1956 the existing Real Cátedra Gaudí ( Gaudí Royal Chair ) at the University of Barcelona.