Palau Guell, Barcelona

2 more images

This palatial home is located just off Ramblas, about 4 blocks from the water front and near Liceau. Antonio Gaudi designed this home for the wealthy entrepreneur, Eusebi Guell between 1886-1890. It was also for Guell that the park up north was designed and constructed under supervision of Gaudi. The two main ornate arches were the entry for guest to take their horse drawn carriages right into the home and down to the lower level. The coat of arms of Catalan adorns the front.
Price to enter is a steep 10 Euro, so we did not go in; besides it was crowded, and a line waiting for 1/2 hour was in front. It is open Tuesday-Sunday generally 10-5:30PM.

4 more images

A few more of these colorful and fanciful chimneys at Palau Guell for you to enjoy, this is one of the gems of Gaudi's collection in Barcelona. Along with Batllo, Mila, Sagradi Familia and Park Guell, they are not to be missed.
Zohara posed for me in one of the photos to give you an idea of the size (of the chimney, not the size of Zohara).

4 more images

A child got loose on the roof of Palau Guell with a pallet of wonderful colors, but the child was assisted by the faries and elves that came out of these fancies of Gaudi's imagination. Yes sounds strange doesn't it, but when you walk onto the roof of Palau Guell you will find a very fertile garden for your imagination as it was for Gaudi when he created this. So take a few minutes, sit on that high spot there on the roof and just IMAGINE.

4 more images

I often thing that the way we view the world through our windows sheds light on us. We put a HUGE window, sliding door and then turned it 30 degrees in our home so we could sit in our living room during winter and still enjoy the sunsets...
Maybe that is why Gaudi, as you can see in the following photos has used different elements to both enlarge and enhance the entrance and play of light within this living space.

4 more images

Most horses I have ever met or known, lived in a BARN, not here in Palau Guell, they lived just below the main entry with a fantastic spiral ramp and even fancy iron work on their windows. I have known PEOPLE who live in much poorer surroundings.

4 more images

I think of all the Gaudi creations we visited in Barcelona, we found certain elements of Palau Guell to be the most ostentatious and gaudy, but strangely beautiful all the same, I guess it is something you need to get used to, sort of like the acquired taste of good wine. You will see what I mean as you follow our tour of this home.
Don't forget to take your audio guide.

Entrance costs 10 Euro, 8 with your Barcelona Card.
Times: Tuesday to Saturday (inclusive), from 10:00 am to 2:30 pm.

For more information and some excellent insights, try the website:
http://www.gaudiallgaudi.com/AA008.htm

The Liceu Metro station is the closest, but you can walk from Catalanya or Drassanes near the Colombus Monument.

4 more images

This Palace, designed by Gaudi is a masterpiece. Included in the centre of the Palace, is a chapel, that has a working organ. The pipe's are included as part of the wall structures. The acoustics are fabulous. When I was there the organ was actually being played - I was enthralled.

The whole palace has to be seen to be believed (including one toilet)

Make sure you go up onto the roof as well.

1 more image

Customer of this famous Gaudi work was Eusebio Guell. It was the first monumental Gaudi work at center of Barcelona. The house was a place not only for living, but also for concerts, the invitation of serious guests. As usually, the architecture of Gaudi is something different from others. In this building I liked the chimneys that were decorated by ceramic tiles.

It is possible to visit palace inside as well for an extra price, but we haven’t made that.

4 more images

A part of Unesco world heritage site of Antoni Gaudi's work, the building is designed for the industrial tycoon - Eusebi Guell.

The iron work on the lower part of the facade of the building is so intricate which looks both like a musical note and/or spain's seal.

There was some renovation going on inside during our visit so entrance is free but on limited spaces only.

I always pass by this building whenever I go to Plaza Real from my hostal in metro parallel and didn't notice it until it was made apparent by the free walking tour guide. The roof top has those usual Gaudi artsy stuff that looks to me like some kind of candy cones. Casa Mila and those found at Parc Guell has those too.

4 more images

Much of the famed Modernisme architect Antonio Gaudi's early career was constructing elaborate follies for wealthy clients. (modernisme being the Catalanyan offshoot of Art Nouveau).

In 1885 the industrialist and aristocrat, Eusebio Guell, commissioned the Palau Guell, just off the Ramblas.

I rushed there but not realising closing time was even earlier than I thought and it was already closed at 2pm, very unfortunately - as I will now have to return to Barcelona again for a third visit! I am even more impressed since to have found out, according to the Rough Guide book on Spain, that this building is the first modern building to have been declared a World Heritage buidling by Unesco.

Many of Gaudi's buildings are still privately owned and not open to the public so it is a blessing that this building is open to the public.

When I return to Barcelona to indulge in a much wanted tour of the Ruta del Modernisme, ie following a route of Gaudi buildings, in addition to the constructions Ive already seen and visited, apparently a ticket can be bought here at Palau Guell.