Spain - Barcelona
Palau Güell
By @entrespacios
Between 1886 and 1890, Antoni Gaudí built the Palau Güell for his patron Eusebi Güell. Located on Carrer Nou de la Rambla, in the heart of the Raval, it stands apart from the bourgeois Eixample in a then working-class, densely populated area. In this “orientalist” phase, Gaudí blended medieval, Nasrid, and Byzantine references. The exterior, sober and made of stone, contrasts with interiors rich in marble, fine wood, wrought iron, and mosaics. The narrow plot led to a vertical solution: the grand Central Hall, spanning three levels, is topped by a perforated dome that lets in light like a starry sky. Home to the Güell family and a space of vibrant social life, it was inaugurated during the 1888 Universal Exhibition. Less known than his later works, the Palau Güell is essential for understanding Gaudí: mastery of space, play of light, and exceptional craftsmanship brought together in a unique urban residence.
Address: Carrer Nou de la Rambla, 3-5, Ciutat Vella, 08001 Barcelona, Spain
About @entrespacios
I’m Carmen, a Colombian historian. I arrived in Barcelona in 2015, convinced that a master’s degree in Art History, combined with my experience as a teacher and museum guide, would open many doors for me. Spoiler: it didn’t. After several rejections, I started working as a tour guide, thinking it would be temporary. What I didn’t expect was that this job would become a true passion: historical storytelling. Today, I dedicate myself to sharing the history of Barcelona (and the occasional other topic) with the world, one street and one screen at a time.