Barcelona Pavellons de la Finca Güell
Industrial textile businessman Eusebi Güell bought what is now Palau Reial in 1882 as a summer home, contracting Gaudí to remodel the entrance lodges and gardens for the estate. In 1883, they began to build what would be one of Gaudí's first projects in Barcelona for the Güell family.
The huge gardens were accessed by three entrances, of which only two remain today. The Porta del Drac (Dragon's Gate) is the most impressive and used to be the private entrance for the Güell family. This entrance was connected to the Güell home in Barcelona by a private, walled road exclusively for their use when the family travelled between the city and the country. Nowadays, the gatehouses belong to the the University of Barcelona. Interestingly, the family of Güell's original groundsman still lives in the same small house on the site.
The Barcelona Pavellons de la Finca Güell must be visited with a guide, and tours are offered in Spanish and English. Really though, it isn't much of a tour, lasting for about 25 minutes with a look at nothing more than the gate and the stables. This was the first project on which Gaudí used his signature 'trencadís' or mosaic motif.
Barcelona Pavellons de la Finca Güell Address
Avda Pedralbes 15
Area Gràcia
Transport Metro Palau Reial .
Telephone 93 317 76 52
Open 10.50am-2pm Mon, Fri-Sun. Tours in English 10.15am, 12.15pm.
Admission €5; €2.50 reductions.
