Skip to content
  • AB
    • About Us
    • Barcelona Apartments
    • Contact Us
  • Tourist Guide
    • Places
    • Food and Drink
    • Nightlife
    • Shopping
    • Museums
  • Things To Do
    • Activities
    • Events
    • Day Trips
    • Tours
    • Outside Barcelona
  • Visiting Barcelona
    • Accommodation
    • Useful Information
    • Neighborhoods
    • Gaudí
    • Bars, Cafés and Restaurants
    • Summer
  • Spanish life
    • People
    • Culture
    • Traditions
  • EnglishEnglish
    • SpanishEspañol
    • FrenchFrançais
    • ItalianItaliano
    • GermanDeutsch
    • DutchNederlands
    • RussianРусский
    • Chinese (Simplified)简体中文
Menu
AB Blog
  • AB
    • About Us
    • Barcelona Apartments
    • Contact Us
  • Tourist Guide
    • Places
    • Food and Drink
    • Nightlife
    • Shopping
    • Museums
  • Things To Do
    • Activities
    • Events
    • Day Trips
    • Tours
    • Outside Barcelona
  • Visiting Barcelona
    • Accommodation
    • Useful Information
    • Neighborhoods
    • Gaudí
    • Bars, Cafés and Restaurants
    • Summer
  • Spanish life
    • People
    • Culture
    • Traditions
  • EnglishEnglish
    • SpanishEspañol
    • FrenchFrançais
    • ItalianItaliano
    • GermanDeutsch
    • DutchNederlands
    • RussianРусский
    • Chinese (Simplified)简体中文
Hit enter to search or esc to close
Home  >  Architecture • Gaudí • Home • Tourist Guide  >  When Gaudí met Güell: Two Luminaries of Barcelona Modernism

When Gaudí met Güell: Two Luminaries of Barcelona Modernism

Antoni_Gaudi Barcelona Modernism

Last updated: November 2017

Introducing the architect: Antoní Gaudí

Modernist architecture is unquestionably one of the top sightseeing attractions in Barcelona, and the name on the tip of everyone’s tongue is Antoni Gaudí. Many other architects also made a significant imprint on Barcelona’s urban cityscape, especially in the Eixample district which was built during the Modernist period, but it is Gaudí who has become a household name.

He was born in 1852 in the Catalan town of in Reus and studied in Barcelona. When Gaudí graduated in 1878 from Barcelona’s School of Architecture, its director announced, “Gentlemen, we are here today in the presence of either a genius or a madman.”

 

 

Introducing his patron: Eusebi Güell

One of the firmest supporters of Gaudí’s genius was the industrialist Eusebi Güell, with whom Gaudí shared a staunch Catholicism. Güell was a wealthy capitalist who met Gaudí early on in his career. He came from an entrepreneurial family; his father, Joan Güell i Ferrer, had made a fortune in Cuba, and returned to Barcelona with enough assets to become one of the key players in the early 19th century industrialization of Catalonia. This fortune and entrepreneurial spirit passed down to his son. Eusebi Güell also had enough sensitivity to recognize young Gaudí’s potential and take him under the wing of his patronage. He commissioned Gaudí with three important architectural projects, which are now recognized as some of the brightest jewels in the crown of Catalan Modernism.

 

Palau Güell: a sumptuous residence in Barcelona city centre

This was the first major project that Güell entrusted to Gaudí, and was built during 1886-1890 in the Barcelona Modernist style. Located on Carrer Nou de la Rambla, just off Las Ramblas, this magnificent villa was designed as a city residence for the Güell family and for entertaining their high society guests.

The first things you will notice are the tall parabolic arches through which horse drawn carriages would pass. This leads to a large open space, divided by soaring arches, where the horses would rest and feed. A majestic staircase climbs up to the main rooms of the palace. Decorative cast iron railings, wonderful wood carvings, and Gaudí’s characteristic asymmetrical features immediately catch your attention. There are large bedroom with fireplaces, lavish living rooms, and sumptuous suites for entertaining. Make sure you visit the rooftop terrace and marvel at the exquisitely decorated ceramic chimneys.

Address: Carrer Nou de la Rambla, 3-5.

 

park guell in barcelonaPark Güell: panoramic views over Barcelona

Eusebi Güell originally intended what is now Park Güell to be a luxury housing estate with space for sixty lots. Despite its spectacular location and ingenious proposed infrastructure only two houses were built before the project ground to a halt. The original vision was shelved, and the land was bought by Barcelona City Council in 1922 for use as a public park. Countless unique features make Barcelona’s Park Güell a top  sightseeing attraction for visitors, as well as a popular place for locals to enjoy a sunny day.

Gaudí’s mastery of asymmetrical forms and unusual shapes echo an aquatic wonderland, and the views of Barcelona and the Mediterranean are spectacular. Talented musicians play for appreciative crowds with everything from a 10 piece indie-ska band to oriental percussion, classical Spanish guitar and jazz. The ornamental part of Park Güell now has limited access and an entrance fee. This area includes the iconic dragon statue and pavilion area. We recommended that you book your ticket online in advance to avoid disappointment or queues when you plan to visit Park Güell.

 

Colonia Güell and Gaudí’s magnificent Crypt

In 1890 Eusebi Güell decided to relocate his textiles factory in Barcelona Sants to the countryside and build a new industrial colony just 30 minutes outside the city, in the village of Santa Coloma de Cervelló near Sant Boi. This model was already successfully being implemented by the local textiles industry, all along the Ter and Llobregat rivers in Catalonia. The colony was designed to be a self sustaining community and socio-economic organization; Güell wanted to provide the very best working and living conditions for his workers and their families. Comfortable family houses were made available, as well as schools, sports and leisure facilities, and medical care.

The church was a key aspect of community life, and Güell asked Gaudí to build a magnificent Modernist place of worship. Extensive plans were made, breathtaking geometric principles were developed, and the first part of the Güell Crypt was constructed. Undulating arches, non-linear columns and intricate ceramic mosaics spread out in a fan shape around a central altar. Although funding ran out in 1914 and only the first part was completed you can see the full plans in the visitor’s centre. This is a perfect day trip that takes you off the beaten track to discover this masterpiece of Gaudí’s architecture, whilst enjoying a pleasant day out in the Catalan countryside. Regular FGC trains go directly to Colonia Güell from Plaça Espanya.

It’s worth reflecting on the many fortuitous meetings of minds throughout history that together have provided fertile ground for the development of gifted potential. One cannot help but wonder what Batman would have been without Robin, Da Vinci without the De Medici, and Gaudí without Güell.

 

Tags: barcelona architecture barcelona culture barcelona tourist guide gaudí gaudi in barcelona palau guell park guell barcelona things to do in barcelona visiting barcelona
Francesca - AB Apartment Barcelona Writer

An intrepid explorer who dives into details and zooms out to see the bigger picture, usually at the same time. She has been living in Barcelona for 10 years, and contributes regularly to the Apartment Barcelona blog. See more from Francesca on Google+.

FacebookTwitterPinterest
Previous Article Barcelona’s Top 5 Picnic Spots
Next Article 5 Fun Activities for Kids in Barcelona

Subscribe Now to Our Newsletter, It's Free! Get the best content delivered straight into
your inbox!

Related Posts

mnac museum

Art Galleries and Museums in Barcelona 2021

Barcelona is a dream for art lovers. Gaudí’s city offers many fantastic art galleries and museums with both permanent and temporary exhibitions to enjoy.

Read More about Art Galleries and Museums in Barcelona 2021
Posted By Emily Rigby Posted on April 20, 2021
0
Bungee Jumping [Photo via Official Life Style Barcelona Website]

Extreme Activities in Barcelona

Calling all adrenaline junkies! From bungee jumping to abseiling and from water sports to quad biking, get that blood racing with one of these extreme activities in Barcelona!

Read More about Extreme Activities in Barcelona
Posted By AB Apartment Barcelona Posted on April 15, 2021
0

1 Comment

  1. Pingback: Colonia Güell | Discover Gaudí’s Hidden Masterpiece

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest

Find an apartment

The Weather in Barcelona

Weather – Tutiempo.net

  • Popular
  • Recent
  • Las Ramblas, Barcelona
    The Tourist Tax in Barcelona – All You Need to Know November 20, 2012
  • montjuic
    The Magic Fountain of Barcelona October 2, 2013
  • pacha-barcelona
    Barcelona Nightlife – The Best Bars and Clubs in Port Olímpic August 5, 2016
  • The Wonderful Works of Gaudí in Barcelona June 20, 2012
  • mnac museum
    Art Galleries and Museums in Barcelona 2021 April 20, 2021
  • Bungee Jumping [Photo via Official Life Style Barcelona Website]
    Extreme Activities in Barcelona April 15, 2021
  • sonar festival
    Barcelona festivals and events | Year-Round Guide April 13, 2021
  • hotel w barceloneta
    Where to stay in Barcelona on a first-time visit April 8, 2021

Subscribe

Subscribe now to our Newsletter, It's Free! Get the best content delivered straight into your inbox!

More top Barcelona tips

Tweets by @ApartmentBCN
Facebook Twitter YouTube
Follow us on Instagram

    About us

    AB Apartment Barcelona is an online tourist apartment agency with more than 1000  Barcelona apartments to rent for both short and long-term stays.

    From luxury apartments in Barcelona to studios and from Ramblas apartments to beach apartments in Barcelona, we have a great choice of accommodation in a wide variety of locations across the city. We now also offer apartments in Costa Dorada and Sitges.

    Whether you are coming to Barcelona on a short break, vacation, or even if you want to move here, you will find the perfect home-away-from-home with AB Apartment Barcelona.

    Social Media

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Google+
    • Instagram
    • YouTube

    Categories

    • Accommodation 9 Posts
    • Architecture 43 Posts
    • Bars, Cafés and Restaurants 162 Posts
    • Culture 147 Posts
    • Day Trips 88 Posts

    Recent Posts

    • mnac museum
      Art Galleries and Museums in Barcelona 2021 April 20, 2021
    • Bungee Jumping [Photo via Official Life Style Barcelona Website]
      Extreme Activities in Barcelona April 15, 2021
    • sonar festival
      Barcelona festivals and events | Year-Round Guide April 13, 2021
    • hotel w barceloneta
      Where to stay in Barcelona on a first-time visit April 8, 2021
    Apartment Barcelona
    • AB
    • Tourist Guide
    • Things To Do
    • Visiting Barcelona
    • Spanish Life