The Guell Palace of Gaudí

Antoni Gaudi (1852-1926) was the most famous of a group of architects who transformed the face of Barcelona in the late 1800s and early 1900s.  The styles of these architects varied greatly, but their work, which was known as "modernismo", was highly ornamental and inspired by historic architecture.

(image from the web)

 Antoni Gaudí as a young man

Many of the tourists who come to Barcelona are attracted to the unique works of architecture created by Gaudí.  As we were walking down Las Ramblas today, I wanted to show Phyllis a Gaudí building, the Guell Palace, which is located just half a block down a side street.  It was a palatial home commissioned by Eusebi Guell, a wealthy Barcelona industrialist. Constructed between 1886 and 1888, it was one of Gaudí's earlier works and is not as famous as some of his other projects.  

The palace is open to the public, but I had never been inside.  When I saw that there was no line at the ticket window, I asked Phyllis if she wanted to go in.  She said OK, not quite knowing what to expect.   Both of us are now so glad that we visited the palace because it is spectacular!  In fact, I was more impressed with the Guell Palace than I was with one of his more famous buildings, La Pedrera, which I visited some years ago.  The Guell Palace offers a much more complete look at one of his buildings, and the admission is much cheaper.

     The facade of the palace

 Unique decorative ironwork at the entrance to the palace

Many of the rooms feature intricately carved wooden ceilings.

 The centerpiece of the house, and the most spectacular room is the domed Central Hall.  The Guell family were music lovers, and this hall, with its pipe organ and galleries for musicians, could be used as a concert hall.  It was also used as a family chapel.

The roof features 20 chimneys, fancifully decorated with broken tile shards, as well as the dome of the Central Hall.