UNESCO declared Palau Güell a World Heritage Site in 1986, exactly 100 years after Antoni Gaudí began designing it. The history of this magnificent building is once again linked to the relationship between Count Eusebi Güell and his favorite architect, Gaudí. It was this representative of Barcelona’s upper bourgeoisie who commissioned the construction of a palace that would reflect his social and economic status. Gaudí worked for three years, from 1886 to 1889, to shape this grand mansion located next to La Rambla.

Gaudí used the finest materials. The main façade was built using stone from the Garraf area. From the outside, visitors can see the initials of the building’s owner, EG, along with the coat of arms of Catalonia, symbols of Catalan identity and modernism. Although the rear façade is more sober, the front of the palace stands out among the buildings of El Raval thanks to the characteristic chimneys on the terrace. The architect considered every detail: the entrance was designed to receive carriages and lead guests directly to the staircase of the house. Inside, everything reflects elegance and distinction: marble columns, a ceiling covered with precious stones in Mudéjar style, an impressive dome that allows natural light to enter, Venetian wooden blinds decorated with ceramics, and the famous Gaudí trencadís made from small mosaic fragments. The palace includes a large living room, a reception room, a music room, and a chapel that gives the building a religious atmosphere.