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Visiting the Guell Palace

The Guell Palace was one of the most significant collaborations between the patron Eusebi Güell and the famous architect Gaudí. Located in the historic heart of Barcelona, it was designed to host various events, both family and social gatherings. In this guide, we’ll discuss the reasons behind its construction, its architecture, and the events you can enjoy both inside and around the palace.

History

Palacio Guell Barcelona

The palace was one of the projects that Eusebi Güell commissioned from his friend Gaudí. After Eusebi saw a display case designed by Gaudí in Paris, he decided to become his patron and assigned him a series of projects over the years, such as the main gate of the Güell estate in Les Corts, the Palau Güell, the church of the Colonia Güell, and the renowned Parc Güell.

 

The purpose of the Palau Güell was to create a residence that could blend family and social life. Eusebi, along with his wife and ten children, aimed to host extended family and social events, needing both private and public spaces in this grand house. Choosing the Raval neighborhood for its construction was rather surprising, as it was a poorer area, while bourgeois families preferred the innovative design of l’Eixample. However, the Güell family chose the historic Raval center because Eusebi’s father lived nearby.

 

The project cost 195,000 pesetas (about 1,175€), with a total of 2,850 square meters spread over seven floors. Construction lasted from 1885 to 1890, and in 1945, Eusebi’s youngest daughter donated the palace to the Barcelona Provincial Council for the building’s preservation for cultural purposes.

Architecture

The palace’s location presented a significant stylistic and economic contrast with the surrounding buildings. Consequently, the palace’s architecture simulates a building closing in on itself to create an isolated space of luxury and sophistication, with a modest facade that goes unnoticed. It’s only upon entering that visitors encounter Gaudí’s characteristic forms and colors.

 

Alongside Catalan modernism, the building shows influences of neo-Gothic and Islamic styles, which were great sources of inspiration for Gaudí.

Facade

The simplicity of the facade was not only a response to the ornamentation of the interior but also to the lively atmosphere of the Raval neighborhood. The use of materials like stone and iron, which was innovative at the time, became a distinctive mark of Gaudí and other modernist architects.

 

The facade features two main wrought iron doors with natural and geometric elements. Other architectural details on the facade, particularly on the lower floors, include parabolic windows and arches, religious and mythological symbols, and representative elements of Catalonia, such as the flag and animals typical of Catalan society.

Interior

Inside, Gaudí worked with a wide range of materials, such as marble, carved wood, and wrought iron, as well as the classic trencadís mosaic technique, a Gaudí hallmark.

 

Each floor of the palace has a specific function. The basement, built primarily of brick, served as stables for horses. The ground floor was a reception hall with access to the street and the other floors, where guests could enter on foot or by carriage. This floor was used as a service area, with spaces like a storage room, garage, and porter’s residence.

 

On the main floor, Gaudí drew inspiration from Roman and Islamic architecture, replacing the typical central courtyard with a three-story main hall for social gatherings, concerts, and other activities. Public spaces were arranged near the hall, while private areas were located on the second floor. Gaudí designed the bedrooms simply, allowing each family member to decorate them individually.

Interior Palacio Guell

Rooftop

The rooftop is the top floor, with 20 chimneys in various colors, featuring sculptures and shapes covered in trencadís. From the rooftop, visitors can enjoy these colorful chimneys as well as panoramic views of Barcelona, and during the summer, enjoy open-air concerts.

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Events

The Palau Güell hosts many activities and events for all audiences. There are tours and workshops for children focused on history, architecture, and music, using the main hall organ as a concert space. Children can also enjoy a workshop where they make their own organ pipe.

 

For adults, every second Saturday of the month, there’s the Palau Güell Secret, a nighttime tour for a limited group of visitors, which includes access to typically closed areas. For example, visitors can see Eusebi Güell’s office or what used to be the coachman’s quarters, which became a neighborhood police station in the 1930s, with graffiti and inscriptions left by detainees still visible on the walls.

The area around Palau Güell

The palace is situated between Las Ramblas and the Raval neighborhood, an area filled with street art and a bohemian, alternative atmosphere. It’s surrounded by culture, with the Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art and the Center for Contemporary Culture of Barcelona just minutes away. You can also enjoy fresh, local products at the Boqueria market, attend an opera at the Liceu theater, or experience the nightlife in the bars and restaurants of El Raval and the Gothic Quarter. Additionally, you can explore the historic architecture of Ciutat Vella.

 

Given the cultural and social vibrancy of this area, renting an apartment in the Raval is a great option to enjoy various activities and experiences. You’ll find both charming apartments in historic buildings and modernist apartments with high ceilings and beautiful balconies. The Raval is in the heart of the city, surrounded by numerous tourist attractions and public transportation.

Plan your visit

The palace is located at Nou de la Rambla Street, 3-5.

You can reach it by metro, getting off at the Liceu station (L3) and walking for five minutes.

Opening hours vary by season: from April to October, it’s open from 10:00 to 20:00, and from November to March, from 10:00 to 17:30.

The entrance fee varies depending on whether you choose a general, guided, family, or other type of visit. To choose the best visit type and check prices, visit the official website, and purchase tickets in advance.

Yes, you can access the rooftop during your visit unless there’s rain or strong wind.

Yes, Palau Güell opens its doors for free several times a year: on the first Sunday of the month, on Santa Eulalia, Sant Jordi, during Museum Night, on September 11 and 24, and other occasions. Check the official website for more details.

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