Palau de Güell and other Barcelona, Spain Things to Do Tips

Palau de Güell is Gaudi's first big building in the centre of Barcelona. It is located in a very small street, so it is dificult to take a good look at the facade. The house was built for Eusebi Güell and nowadays it is opened for the public. My favourite part of the house is the roof (which is also the only part of the house you are allowed to take pictures). The roof has really beautiful mosaique chimney's in all forms and colours.

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Address: Nou de la Rambla 3
Directions: Take the side street of La Rambla called Nou de la Rambla, which is opposite to the street leading you to Plaça Reial.

In 1298 the construction of the cathedral started. The cathedral is quite compact in size. It is made in the time of Jaume II and in Gothic style, with its Roman Capella de Santa Llúcia. The church is fantastic to see and it is also home to some geese. Yes there are geese in this church!!

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Address: Plaça de la Seu
Directions: Take the metro to Jaume I.

The Parc de la Ciutadella was the stage for the world expo in 1888. It is a famous parc, that attracts a lot of visitors. It has a beautiful fountain that you can see on the picture. The vegetation in the parc is fantastic and if you take good look around you can see green parrots flying from one tree to the other.

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Address: Avda del Marquès de l'Argentera
Directions: Take the metro to Arc del Triomf, Barceloneta o Ciutadella-Vila Olímpica

The Arc del Triomf was the main entrance of the world expo that was held in the Parc de la Ciutadella in 1888. It was designed by Josep Vilaseca i Casanovas. The sculptures on one side show the BCN people welcome the visitors. On the other side the sculptures show an awarding. The Arc is is located on a sqaure that is surrounded by beautiful buildings.

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Address: Passeig Lluis Companys
Directions: Take the metro to Arc del Trimf and you will find it just there.

The Casa de la Ciutat (City Hall) is located opposite the Palau de la Generalitat which is the building of the Catalan government. Next to the entrance of the city hall you can see sculptures of Jaume I, who gave the city of Barcelona the rights to choose it's councils, and Joan Fiveller.

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Address: Plaça de Sant Jaume
Directions: Take the metro to Jaume I or Liceu.

The Casa de l'Ardiaca has a beautiful patio with a fountain and a big palmtree. On the first floor you can pay a visit to the city archives 'Arxiu Històric de la Ciutat'. Also take a look at the marble letterbox!!

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Address: Carrer de Santa Llúcia
Directions: You will find this building opposite the Cathedral.
Website: http://www.bcn.es/arxiu/arxiuhistoric/

Casa Batlló is on of the buildings that make up a famous block of building called 'Mansana de la Discòrdia' or 'The Apple of Discord'. Gaudí designed this house for Josep Batlló Casanovas which was constructed between 1904-1907. The Barcelona people of the time were stunned by this building, and soon it became known as 'the house of bones' and 'the house of yawns'.

The building is magnificent in all aspects. On the façade, undulating and covered with mosaic, colour takes front of stage. The fine columns of the galleries take are tibias covered with sprouting plant froms and the balconies appear to be bare skulls.

Not only the façade is worth seeing but also the interior. Gaudí really did everything he could to keep you looking at every little detail. There is a central sort of courtyard from which the walls are totally blue. On one ceiling one can see a dot surrounded by some 20 other dots. No-one knows exactly what this symbolises. It could be a drip of water and the surrounding dots symbolise the flow of the water, but other guess Gaudí was thinking of a woman's nipple when creating this detail. There is also a fireplace with built-in benches beside it, all tucked into the wall in copper-coloured ceramic. The whole thing looks like a giant mushroom.

During Gaudí's year in 2002 the house was first opened to the public. Because of the overwhelming success the initiative may be continued in the future. If not you can always organise a meeting, dinner or seminar in the house which will get you into the house too, but I think this can be really expensive!

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Phone: 93 488 06 66
Address: Passeig de Gràcia 43
Directions: Take the metro to Passeig de Gràcia, or bus 7, 16, 17, 22, 24, 28, 43 or 44.
Website: http://www.casabatllo.es/

This is the most prominent work of Gaudí full of symbols inspired bu nature. In 1883 a year after construction started Gaudí was given the assignment to complete the church. While improvising he changed everything and it became is life-work. He lived on the site for 16 years and is buried in the crypt. When he died only one tower from the Nativity façade was finished. Nowadays construction is still going on. Everyone can help to finish this church by donating money. Just follow the link and donate an amount.

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Address: C/ Mallorca 401
Directions: Take the metro to Sagrada Família.
Website: http://www.sagradafamilia.org/eng/principal.htm

Casa Milà was the last piece of civil engineering by Gaudí, and here he abandoned the multicoloured façade of the Casa Batlló to allow the undulating shape of the stone to be seen. The building features two inner courtyards supported by an iron structure.

Due to its shape, the Casa Milà was immediately given the name of 'la pedrera', or the 'stone quarry'. Unlike the multi-coloured chimneys that can be seen on the Palau de Güell the chimney on Casa Milà are also colourless, just like the façade. The only exception is one small detail which is made with mosaic of green wine bottles. In July and August the rooftop terrace is open to the public; drinks and live music are provided for an admission fee.

Unfortunately I lost the roll of film with all my pictures from this house and the rooftop. This really upset me since I'm sure the pics would've turned out to be fabulous since the weather and lightning were great. Anyway I hope to go back again, and visit this house again, because it's really worth it!

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Address: Passeig de Gràcia 92
Directions: Take the metro to Diagonal, or follow the Passeig de Gràcia in Northern direction after having visited Casa Batlló.

Another one of Gaudi's works in the city of BCN again made for Mr. Güell. This park is very big and there is a lot to see and do. You should really explore everything in this parc. You have to walk the stairs and pass the lizard fountain. Ascending the steps one enters a great hall with ninety-six columns. Going to the big terrace should be your final destination of the parc. Here you can make very nice photo's of Barcelona, you can enjoy the sun and you can rest from the walk through the parc.

The development Güell wanted to create failed, and his descendants sold the property to the city, which turned it into a public park. The Park Güell was placed on UNESCO's World Heritage list in 1984.

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Address: Carrer d'Olot
Directions: Take the metro to Lesseps.