Spain
Palau Güell
Welcome to Barcelona! Palau Güell is a grand mansion built for a wealthy friend of Gaudí — it hides secret peepholes, giant swooping arches, and 20 wildly decorated chimneys on the roof.
Why is it famous?
It was one of Gaudí's very first big projects, built between 1886 and 1888 for his friend and patron Eusebi Güell.
Its rooftop is a playground of 20 chimneys, each covered in a different mosaic pattern of broken tiles and glass.
Secrets of the mansion
The receiving room had tiny hidden windows high on the walls, so the owners could secretly peek at guests before greeting them.
Carriages entered through one arched gate and exited through another, like a fancy horse-drawn drive-thru.
Amazing facts
The main party room's dome ceiling has tiny holes near the top where lanterns were hung to twinkle like stars at night.
A bronze phoenix sculpture perches between the entrance gates.
Quick facts
- The main party room's dome ceiling has tiny holes near the top where lanterns were hung to twinkle like stars at night.
- A bronze phoenix sculpture perches between the entrance gates.
- One of the rooftop chimneys even has a little mosaic lizard sculpture climbing up it!
- Horses and servants stayed in stables in the basement, while guests relaxed upstairs.