1884

Pavilions at Finca Güell

1884-1887

Eusebio Güell had inherited a large plot of land in the area of Pedralbes that included a summer home (currently the Palau Reial de Pedralbes) and several cultivated lands. Gaudí took charge of this ambitious urban planning commission, but he never managed to finish it. Today, only the gatehouse pavilions and riding stables and longeing ring are preserved.

The site notably combines use of transversal parabolic archways, along with the first ever application of ceramic trencadís mosaic, a trademark of Gaudí’s work.

We can also enjoy the dragon gate, inspired by the poem entitled L’Atlàntida by Jacint Verdaguer, which the writer had dedicated to Güell’s father-in-law. A wrought iron dragon appears in the grille representing Ladon, the guardian of the Garden of the Hesperides, who was defeated by Hercules for his eleventh labour.