By Judy J. Pinegar  Pictures by John J. O’Dell

We set out for the Maritime Museum, but on the way I noticed a new (since I was here with my daughter) Guell site by Gaudi: Palau Guell which was the first great commission Antonio Gaudi received from Eusebi Guell, and industrialist, politician and patron who became the architect’s greatest client and also his best friend.

The building was built between 1886 and1890, and contains the essence of the type of architecture and helps people understand better his later works… this was his test model.

The place was the Guell home (10 children) until they moved to Parke Guell when that was finished. The youngest daughter of Guell transferred the Palace to Barcelona Provincial Council for cultural use in 1945.

The palace contained a basement stable for horses, as well as storage space for wood and other household items. A fancier stable, all in brick, I have never seen in my life!  The entry floor with two huge iron worked gates, the Spanish call the “el piso bajo” floor, and they say what we would call the 2nd floor the 1st, et cetera…sort of hard to get used to!

So starting with the first floor it became fantastically beautiful, here was the great room, with a cabinet to be opened for prayer, or closed for dancing or other activities. an organ, beautiful paintings and furniture. Around this was a visitors hall, Guell’s office and rooms for music study and art study for the children as well as a fantastic dining room.

Higher levels contained bedrooms for all the children and the main bedroom suite for the parents and the “bath.”, above that was the servant’s workrooms, kitchens and sleeping rooms. the final level was the roof, with absolutely fantastic chimney’s… you will see in the slideshow! We were glad to have substituted this for the Museo! And we were off to San Sebastian by plane (cheaper and 8 hours less that the train) to the same place!

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