Palau Güell - a phenomenal work by the young Gaudí

The Palau Güell is located in the Raval neighborhood of Barcelona. “Palau” means palace in Catalan, although it´s actually more of a mansion. It was commissioned by Eusebi Güell, a wealthy industrialist, landowner, and politician, and built by Barcelona´s most famous architect, Antoni Gaudí.

Its location is unusual because most of the Modernista buildings were built in the Eixample neighborhood, which was where the wealthier classes lived. The site was chosen because it is next door to what was at that time the Güell family home, which belonged to Eusebi Güell´s father.

The plot of land where Palau Güell is located was quite small, and the finished building measures only 22 x 18 meters (not quite the size of a typical palace). Luckily, Gaudí was given an unlimited budget to compensate for the very limited space.

Construction on the building officially began in 1886. Work on the interior continued until 1890 but the building opened in 1888 so that the Guell family could entertain important visitors during the World Exposition which was taking place that year. Visitors included Queen Regent Maria Cristina of Hapsburg, King Umberto I of Italy and the United States President Grover Cleveland.

The Palau Güell was one of Gaudí´s first major works, and he collaborated with Francesc Berenguer, who also assisted him on other projects. This building is very special in that is reveals the creative genius of the not-yet famous young architect.

As in other works, Gaudí was extremely detail-oriented. In fact, there were 25 different alternatives for the design of the facade alone. The final product is an imposing entrance made up of huge doors and wrought iron gates decorated with the shield of Catalonia. Gaudí deliberately made the entrance large enough so that it could be accessed by visitors coming on their horses or in their carriages.

The building was meant to be multi-purpose, with both apartments and event and exposition rooms. It is constructed of stone, coated with marble, and decorated with wrought-iron, wood, ceramic, and stained glass. The basement, which could be reached via two spiral ramps, contained stables for the horses as well as sleeping quarters for the servants, and is quite plain in comparison with the rest of the building.

The other floors are interconnected. Highlights include the parabolic dome above the main hall, from which natural light is filtered via a constellation of stars which were perforated into it. This feature is especially important because the use of marble and iron meant that if not for the creative sources of light the interior would actually be quite dark.

The main floor is lined with dark marble which was brought from the Güell family quarries. Gaudí used the iron supports of the building as decoration, and exposed and displayed them in the rooms on the main floor, which was unusual at that time as most architects attempted to conceal them. In typical Gaudí style the building is filled with twisted columns, arches and ceiling.

In contrast to the interior of the building, which is darker and more imposing, the rooftop terrace is filled with colors and light. It has 20 different chimneys which were meant to aide in the ventilation of the building. They are decorated with trencadis, which are fragments of glazed tile and glass, a decorative technique that is attributed to Gaudí and typical in most Modernista buildings.

Eusebi Güell lived in Palau Güell until 1906. Upon his death the building was inherited by his daughter, Merce Güell i Lopez. The palace was confiscated during the Spanish civil war and used as military barracks, and it´s said that political prisoners were tortured in the basement.

In 1945 the building was returned to Merce Güell i Lopez, but at that point it was so destroyed and needed so much work that she preferred to donate it to the Barcelona Provincial Council rather than renovate it. In 1969 it was declared a Historic-Artistic Monument of National Interest and it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site on November 2, 1984. In 1996 the building was officially opened to the public.

Entrance is free, but currently the building is only partially opened due to restoration works. After 2002, which was the 150th anniversary of Gaudí´s birth, the Barcelona Provincial committee began the restoration process. The new restoration work is meant to guarantee the conservation and condition of the building. The main facade, ground floor, and basement are the portions of the building which are currently open to the public.

The building is expected to fully re-open in 2011 at which time the guided tours will once again be offered. As with any Gaudí building, visitors should take their time and focus on all the curious little details that make his architecture so unique.

Address: C/ Nou de la Rambla, 3-5
Phone: 933 173 974
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 2:30pm, closed on public holidays
Website: http://www.palauguell.cat