The Palau Güell was designed by the young Gaudí and is a wonderful blend of medieval opulence and the architect's unique exuberant style. Completed in 1890, the building was the private residence of Gaudí's patron, Count Güell. The Palau Güell is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The wealthy industrialist, landowner and politician Eusebi Güell i Bacigalupi (Barcelona, 1846-1918) was Gaudí's main patron. In 1885, when the architect was still unknown, Count Güell commissioned him to design his private residence. Gaudí was aware that Güell wanted to show off his wealth to his friends and acquaintances (the house was to be used for exhibitions, concerts and other events) and he created an unusual, bold architectural project. He made innovative use of traditional building techniques, as well a wide variety of materials, with particular emphasis on more expensive ones such as marble. Gaudí combined the typical square structure of Catalan medieval palazzos and exquisite wooden coffered ceilings with innovations such as the parabolic arch which became a hallmark of his work. However, Gaudí didn't just create a palazzo, he created a metaphor too, as the building rises up, like Güell, from poor beginnings, represented by the austerity of the basement and ground floor, to wealth, as embodied by the riot of colour on the roof. Indeed, the ground floor, with its simple grey marble, contrasts magically with the interplay of colours and forms of the 20 sculptural chimneys on the roof. The architect covered the chimneys in waste materials, including broken tiles and plates from the Cartuja de Sevilla pottery. A mosaic of ceramic tile, marble and stained glass that becomes the iconic symbol of the Palau Güell.
General details
Address: Carrer Nou de la Rambla, 3-5 (08001). Barcelona
Phone: 934 725 775 / 934 725 771
Web site: www.palauguell.cat
E-mail: palauguell@diba.cat
Opening time: 1st November to 31st March, from 10am to 5.30pm.
1st April to 31st October, from 10am to 8pm.
Mondays except public holidays, December 25th and 26th, January 1st and 6th, closed.
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Accessibility details
The Palau Güell, due to the characteristics of the building, is not entirely accessible for wheelchair users. There is, however, an adapted itinerary for people with reduced mobility.
The Museum promotes communication without barriers in all areas, and offers all kinds of resources and visits adapted for visitors with special needs.
There are several types of audioguides: with audio description, in sign language, with screen transcriptions, etc. in addition to the general one. The audioguide is optional and is included in the entrance price.
Guide dogs are most welcome.
The staff has been trained in assisting visitors with disabilities. There is a specialised service to attend people with specific needs so that everyone can enjoy the visit to the premises.
Contact for
questions concerning accessibility or reservation of adapted visits: Tel 934 725 775 or 934 725 771, or
palauguell@diba.cat
Further information
visit the web
Descriptive audioguides available in Spanish and Catalan.
Tactile raised plans and magnifying glasses are available at the entrance counter.
In the courtyard on the ground floor, next to the bookshop, there are two
tactile models, labeled in braille. The largest one, scale 1: 100, shows the building with all its architectural and decorative details. A second model, scale 1:30, reproduces the central pointed tower of the roof.
Audioguides with subtitles in English, Catalan, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Japanese and Portuguese.
Transcriptions of the audioguide: the text of the audioguide is also available on paper in different languages.
Sign language videoguides are available in Catalan and Spanish.
Induction loops are available for hire. They are adapted to the audioguides and guided tour systems. They are available from the audioguide counter.
Access and parking:
The Palau Güell is very close to Metro station Drassanes (Line 3 green), which is well adapted and has a lift.
There is also one parking place in front of the building. You can reserve it by phone and give your car registration number, the model of the vehicle and the day of your visit.
Entrance and reception
The ticket office is outside the building, on the sidewalk of the street. It has a protection glass and the counter is 110 cm high.
The main entrance has one step 5 cm high, with no alternative. This step is marked with two strips of contrasted colour.
The reception desk inside the building is dual height: 110 cm and 74 cm.
Mobility inside the building:
The Palau Güell, in a wheelchair, cannot be visited entirely. Nevertheless, a tour has been partially adapted for people with reduced mobility and wheelchair users, which enables to visit all areas of the Palau except the roof, the mezzanine and the southern terrace. This tour is taken by means of a small lift. There is a wheelchair loan service with chairs adapted to the size of the lift, (door width: 70 cm; interior: 105 cm deep by 83 cm wide).
Visitors whose wheelchairs exceed these measurements should change to one of these chairs. Special visitor services staff are available to help you change wheelchairs.
The only way to access the underground floor, is a ramp which is 26 meters long and is set at a 16% gradient.
There are seats and rest areas throughout the building.
Toilets:
There are adapted toilets on the ground floor.
The cubicle door is 77 cm wide.
There is a fold-down grab bar on the left of the toilet and a fixed bar on the right.
There is space under the washbasin to provide wheelchair users with frontal access.
Last update: 18/07/2023
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