Palau Güell, Barcelona

Palau Güell is the mansion Antoni Gaudí created for the industrialist Eusebi Güell, built from 1886 to 1888. The building belongs to Catalan modernisme and forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage collection devoted to Gaudí’s work. At the entrance, the wrought-iron gates frame a curved arch and intricate shapes inspired by seaweed and a riding crop.

Between them, Gaudí placed a phoenix, an emblem of Catalonia’s economic and cultural renewal. Guests once arrived by carriage: animals could descend along a ramp to the basement stables, while visitors climbed toward the reception rooms. Look at the high walls of those rooms for the small viewing openings; the household could inspect arriving guests before greeting them.

The grand entertaining room has a lofty ceiling pierced by small openings. At night, lanterns hung beyond them, creating the impression of a sky filled with stars. Güell commissioned this residence as a family home, and the interior work continued until 1890. Its design draws on Eastern art and Hispanic Islamic traditions, giving the palace an unusually theatrical character from the entrance inward.