Güell Palace

The Palau Güell, a masterpiece by Gaudí

The Barcelona audio-guided tour points out to you the singular façade of the Palau Güell, a work by Antoni Gaudí. Less known than the Milà or Batlló houses, this palace is nonetheless the only one that can be visited from top to bottom, and its façade alone is worth the detour.

A palace for Gaudí's patron

It was Gaudí's patron, Eusebi Güell, who commissioned this palace from him to live there with his family. Rather than joining the wealthy of the time in the fashionable new Eixample district, the Güells chose to stay in the centre, near the popular Rambla. Built between 1886 and 1890, the palace blends a strong Moorish and Oriental influence with the nascent Catalan modernism. It is among the works of Gaudí inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

What there is to see

The façade, austere and refined, opens with two great parabolic wrought-iron doors. Inside, the palace unfolds a central salon topped by a dome, massive columns, noble materials and a fireplace of great inventiveness. On the roof, the chimneys clad in mosaics already herald the masterpieces to come from Gaudí. It is a fascinating visit to understand the genesis of his genius.

Practical information

The Palau Güell is very close to La Rambla, in the heart of Barcelona. The interior visit follows its own schedule, with a charge, whose opening times may vary with the season; the façade can be contemplated freely from the street. It is advisable to check the visiting conditions in advance.

Who commissioned the Palau Güell?

Eusebi Güell, Gaudí's patron, who had it built between 1886 and 1890 to live there with his family, near La Rambla.

Can you visit the interior of the Palau Güell?

Yes, it is the only palace by Gaudí that can be visited from top to bottom; the visit is charged and follows its own schedule.