Reportajes

Park Güell, Palau Güell and Casa Milà in Barcelona

Antoni Gaudí, the most representative architect and creator of Spanish Modernism, left his personal mark on many constructions in Barcelona. The Park Güell, Palau Güell and Casa Milà are beautiful examples of the union of architecture, sculpture and decorative arts. Antoni Gaudí (1852-1926) experienced the great industrial and urbanistic development that left its mark on Barcelona in the second half of the 19th century. It was in this period that Modernism emerged as an artistic trend and the Catalonian architect assumed and personified it.. The majority of his works were entrusted to him by members of the Catalonian upper middle class, in particular Eusebi Güell, his patron. The contribution made by this businessman to the cultural enrichment of the city was so great that he was given the title of count upon his death. Three of these constructions in Barcelona were declared World Heritage monuments by UNESCO in 1984.

Park Güell Following the concept of English garden-towns (where the name “Park” comes from), Gaudí planned a residential area with 60 houses on Montaña Pelada, to the north of the city. The integration with nature was achieved by using ramps, staircases and viaducts to compensate for changes in ground level without altering the surrounding landscape. The work was carried out between 1900 and 1914 and other architects participating were Joan Rubió, Francesc Berenquer and Josep Maria Jujol. The project did not prosper and the estate was acquired by the Barcelona City Council who opened it as a public park in 1923. Two pavilions, joined by a stone wall, frame the main entrance. These houses were designed for the concierges of the estate. Here we can see the main characteristics of Gaudí's architecture: sinuous curves, elements inspired by nature, the use of trencadís (a ceramic collage), inclined parabolic arches ... A dragon-lizard-newt, covered in multicoloured ceramics, dominates the staircase that leads to the 'hipóstila' room. Its over 90 columns in Doric order hold up the huge upper terrace, together with the skullcap domes. The room was planned as the market for Park Güell, while the large square is a broad viewpoint over Barcelona city centre and the Mediterranean sea. This space is limited by a long wavy balcony-bench, also decorated with trencadís. Its snakelike profile creates charming corners surrounded by varied vegetation. The park is also home to the casa de Gaudí, today the Home-Museum. The so-called Pink Tower is connected with the rest of the premises by paths and vaulted viaducts made from stone. It is a good way to tour the place, a Cultural Asset of National Interest together with the Palau Güell and the Casa Milà.

©Turespaña - 1 -

Reportajes

Palau Güell Contracted by Güell, between 1886 and 1888 Gaudí built the most luxurious residence in Barcelona in the late 19th century. The calle Nou de la Rambla is home to this Gothic plan palace, that played host to the artistic collections and intense social life of the Güell. In fact, it was here that receptions and parties were held during the International Exposition of 1888. A gallery runs along the main facade of this palace with a markedly medieval air, with its rectangular windows and two doors with parabolic arches. Its heavy railings accentuate this characteristic. The basement, on the other hand, takes us back to Roman crypts with its wide columns and brick vaults. The helicoidal ramps leading to the ground floor also stand out. On the noble floor there is the salón central, which occupies two floors with a starred parabolic dome in true Arab style. Above this is the floor with the bedrooms, the service floor and the roof terrace dominated by 18 chimneys covered with trencadis. Wood artwork, hyperbolic marble capitals and glasswork decorated the interior, in line with the furniture designed by Gaudí. Today, these pieces are not in the palace, but can be seen in the Home-Museum in the Park Güell.

Casa Milà-La Pedrera

total. He also managed to construct a basemen

he facade does not support anything either and is simply a decorative element of

he parabolic arches, so characteristic of Gaudí, comprise the space of the attics.

he interior of the building also has Gaudí hallmark. Broken plans, undulating floors

At the heart of the Barcelona's Eixample (new suburb) we find the “La Pedrera” (1906-1910), built for señor Milà. In this construction, Gaudí used revolutionary architectural solutions such as the free plan. The five floors of the building are supported by pillars and a metal framework, making the use of supporting walls unnecessary. Thus, the creative freedom to give shape to the interior and exterior spaces was t that could become a garage, the

first in Barcelona. Another consequence is the structure, one circular and the other elliptical, of the interior courtyards. Ta sculptural nature. This made it possible to open numerous windows and balconies adorned with complicated wrought iron designs on its profile. TAbove these is the terrado, or roof terrace, dominated by the sculptural forms of the chimneys and ventilation shafts. Here, helicoidal shapes covered by trencadís create a space full of fantasy that anticipates surrealism. Tand ceilings and staircases with railings compose unique spaces. The carpentry work of the doors, windows, knobs, handles and spy-holes is also exceptional.

©Turespaña - 2 -

Reportajes Apart from these sinuous reliefs, the different rooms have polychrome designs by Iu Pascal and Aleix Clapés. All that is missing to capture the essence of the building is the furniture designed by the Catalonian creator to, but it has been scattered, as the owners soon substituted it with furniture of a softer style.

________________________________________

©Turespaña - 3 -