Palau Güell (Güell Palace) Tickets and Information

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• ‍Palau Güell (Güell Palace) Address: 3-5 Carrer Nou de la Rambla, 08001, Barcelone
• ‍Summer Opening Hours: Daily from 10:00 - 20:00 (Last Entry at 7PM)

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Is Palau Güell (Güell Palace) Worth Visiting

• If you are an Antoni Gaudi fan, its definitely worth visiting, yes.
• If you are an architecture fan, again, definitely worth visiting, yes.

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What You Can See At Palau Güell (Güell Palace)

• The outside of the property
• The areas inside the property that are open to the public

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Palau Güell (Güell Palace) Tickets

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About Palau Güell (Güell Palace)

Barcelona is a city known for many things and one of which is its rich architectural heritage. Home to multiple famous landmarks that attract people from around the world and amongst them is Palau Güell (Güell Palace).

Found on Carrer Nou de la Rambla in the El Ravel neighbourhood of the city, the magnificent palace was designed by the renowned architect Antoni Gaudí at the start of his career. A masterpiece that stands as a testament to his genius and his unique architectural style that helped to define Barcelona's landscape along with other landmarks in the city such as the Sagrada Familia, Casa Batlló & La Pedrera, also all being Gaudi's designs.

Palau Güell was one of Gaudi's first collaborations with Eusebi Güell (of Park Güell) and the two went on to be great friends and work together on other projects.

The property was designed as a residence for the Güell family as well as serving as a space for social and cultural events being hosted by the family and others. The building includes spaces such as a grand reception hall, a chapel, a main room for entertaining guests, and various living quarters and the stables located under the property.

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What you see can see at Palau Güell (Güell Palace)

Upon arrival at the UNESCO World Heritage Site, you can see from the outside it isn't a normal property. You are greeted by the intricate ironwork on the gates that welcome you and that's before you even enter the property.

Once inside you can see the contrast between the light and dark spaces and how they actually compliment each other. Then there is the vibrant use of colours and the way that Gaudi used natural light to fill the property and how it reacts with both the dark and light spaces.

If this is your first visit to a Gaudi property, it will unlikely be your last, but the start to the journey. If you've opted for a guided tour, your guide will point out the incredible features and give you a deeper understanding of the use and reason behind them.

As you explore the rooms each reveals a different facet of Gaudí's genius, from the lavish use of wood and stained glass to the symbolic elements seamlessly integrated into the architecture.

The central hall with its parabolic dome, thanks to Gaudi's use of engineering and aesthetics is another major focal point and going up to the rooftop, you are treated to a forest of whimsically shaped chimneys along with amazing views of Barcelona.

Palau Güell is not just a building, it's a curated journey through time and artistic expression, which is something that Gaudi was known for in his designs.

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Palau Güell (Güell Palace) Fun Facts

• Eusebi Güell (who commissioned the property) is also the same person that owned Park Güell.
• Palau Güell is also listed by UNESCO as part of the 'Works of Antoni Gaudi' collection.
• The entrance gate on the property is particularly impressive and noteworthy.
• The chimneys resemble medieval warriors (a feature Gaudi also used on other properties).
• The property also contains underground horse stables.
• Like many of Gaudi's other properties, you won't find many straight lines at Palau Güell due to Gaudi's love of nature.

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‍History of Palau Güell - Early Origins and Eusebi Güell's Vision

Palau Güell's history finds its roots in the late 19th century when the wealthy industrialist Eusebi Güell (of Park Güell) commissioned Antoni Gaudí to design a residence reflecting his social status.

The project was started in 1886 and completed in 1888 and marked the beginning of a collaboration between the two that would result in one of Barcelona's most extraordinary architectural achievements and started a friendship between the two that would last their lifetimes and involved further projects.

The location chosen for this grand project was in the heart of the city's old town and a testament to Güell's desire to create a palatial residence that would be both opulent and strategically situated.

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Gaudí's Creative Mind

Antoni Gaudi infused Palau Güell with his distinctive style so the influence is clear on the property. Construction spanned ten years from 1886 until 1896 albeit with further modifications continuing until 1906 when it was finally complete. The property was designed to be a family residence and ended up becoming a focal point for artistic expression and cultural gatherings.

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The property faced neglect and deteriorated during the 20th century but in the latter part of the century, efforts were made to restore it to its former glory. The restoration process started in the 1980s and aimed to not only preserve the physical structure but also to show the historical and artistic significance embedded in its walls. Palau Güell now acts as a meticulously preserved time capsule, giving you the opportunity to step back in time and enjoy the grandeur of a bygone era, which is another reason why Palau Güell was given UNESCO World Heritage Site in November of 1984.

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Architecture

Palau Güell is a perfect example of Catalan Modernism (which Gaudi is often referred as the father of). The architectural movement emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a response to the industrialization sweeping through Europe and something that Antoni Gaudi used in his work. The style blends tradition with innovation, incorporating modern techniques while staying rooted in regional identity. The style can be seen in various Barcelona landmarks and historical sites, especially some of those designed by Gaudi.

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One of the distinctive features of Palau Güell is its innovative use of space and light. Gaudí was known for his love of organic designs that were inspired by nature and created a seamless integration of form and function. The palace's façade is covered with intricate ironwork, another hallmark of Gaudí's style. The interior has a series of interconnected rooms which were designed to let light and air flow through for functionality, which was also incredibly important to Gaudi.

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Symbolism

Gaudí's creations are often designed with symbolism, and Palau Güell is no exception. The use of motifs from nature, religious symbolism, and the incorporation of the owner's family symbols can be seen throughout the property. The chimneys on the rooftop, for instance, are sculpted into fantastical shapes which resemble warriors and knights!

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Cultural Events

Palau Güell is not only a tourist attraction, but still serves as a cultural venue. The palace hosts various events throughout the year, including concerts, exhibitions, and lectures. The dynamic use of the property aligns with Gaudí's vision of architecture as a living, evolving entity that engages with the community and which is why one of his chief design goals was to make his designs practical and functional spaces.

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UNESCO World Heritage Site

Palau Güell was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. A recognition that shows the importance of Gaudí's work along with the cultural significance of the property. The UNESCO designation also emphasizes the responsibility of preserving and maintaining the architectural treasure for future generations to enjoy, not just as a Gaudi design but as an example of how things used to be.

Useful Information About Palau Güell (Güell Palace)

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How to get there

• ‍Palau Güell (Güell Palace), 3-5 Carrer Nou de la Rambla, 08001, Barcelona
• ‍Metro: Liceu, line 3
• ‍Buses: V13, 59, 91, 120 and Barcelona Bus Turistic
• ‍FGC: L6, L7, S1, S2, S5, S55

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Opening Hours

Summer Opening Hours (1st April - 30th September):

• 10:00 AM - 20:00 PM

Winter Opening Hours (1st October - 31st March)

• 10:00 AM - 17:30 PM

Closed:

• Mondays (except public holidays), 25th December & 26th December, 1st January and last week of January