[SPAIN] Barcelona - My Visit to Palau Guell

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Palau Güell is one of Antoni Gaudi's early works in Barcelona (1886 - 1890). It was the home of the Güell i López family on La Rambla until they moved to Park Güell. It is now part of UNESCO World Heritage Site "Works of Gaudi". 

Getting there:
Metro: L3 Liceu station
Bus: 14, 59, 91, 120 & Bus Tursitic
Train: Catalunya station

Güell bought the 589 square metre plot, which Gaudi made the very most of, by building a seven-storey multi-purpose building. Each floor has its own function and purpose. Picture above is the facade of the building.

The first thing you'll see is the unusually large double entrance gates, which allowed horse-drawn carriages to be driven in and out easily, a very innovative system at that time. 



The basement was formerly used as a horse stable. The horses could be taken down a spiral ramp and kept in the basement.  

The ground floor houses the coach house where the carriages were kept, a storage area, the doorman's quarters, a doorman's booth, and a servant's staircase that led from ground floor to the Palau's other floors.


The mezzanine floor is Eusebi Güell's office and administrative rooms. 



This is the main floor of the Palau. All rooms are based around the central hall. The northern areas were dedicated to social events while the southern areas served family purposes, such as the dining room or the billiard room.



The hall of lost steps is the room guests passed through to get to the central hall.


The visitor's room and ladies' powder room.



The central hall is three storeys high and is covered by a parabolic dome. The central hall served social occasions such as musical auditions, literary and poetry readings, and receptions for guests. 

The central hall also served religious services. The closet-chapel is a small room closed off by two large doors that, when opened, revealed the altar.

The musician's area is on a mezzanine floor.

The dining room.

The billiard room.



The inner courtyard which overlooks the rear facade of the building. You can get to this courtyard from the dining room and billiard room.



The Bedroom Floor was used only by the family. 

A black marble fireplace in the bathroom.

Antoni Gaudi directed the interior decor of Palau Güell but only designed some of its furniture as many items had come with the family, as well as many of the stained glass pieces and other ornamental elements. These are the "cat and mouse" chairs designed by Gaudi. The sides of each chair have cats looking out for some hidden mice which are peaking out from under the passementerie in the centre of the seat. The chairs are wonderfully ergonomic, the seat for the men's chair is straight while the one for women is concave.

I completely missed the attic and rooftop above the Bedroom Floor (face palm). I guess I missed the staircase leading up to the rooftop. The rooftop is another highlight of the building with twenty sculpted chimneys of various design. Don't make the same mistake as I did and see the rooftop while you're there.

Overall, Palau Güell give me a glimpse of Gaudi's early works. Its dark interior is a contrast to his later works which seems brighter and more vibrant in colour. Nonetheless, it has its own unique charm and identity. 

Palau Güell
Normal rate: EUR 12 or EUR 11 (payment with card/purchase online)
* Admission: Regarding the current pandemic situation, the rate has a single price of € 5.
** Free on Open Days (1st Sunday of every month & other selected dates)

Guided tours (approx. 1 hour) are available in French, English, Spanish and Catalan at selected time. Audio guide is included in the tickets.

Opening hours: 
- Summer opening hours (1st April 1 to 31th October): 10 am to 2 pm and 4 pm to 8 pm (ticket windows close at 7 pm).
- Winter opening hours (1st November to 31th March): 10 am to 1.30 pm and 2.30 pm to 6 pm (ticket windows close at 5)
* Closed on Mondays, except public holidays, 25th and 26th December, 1st January and fourth week of January (for maintenance)

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