The Gaudi House Museum, erected in the middle of Park Guell and dedicated to the most unusual architect in Spain, is one of the most visited places in Barcelona. It presents not only a rich collection of furniture and various masterpieces of art, but also things that belonged to the master himself.
Short story
The history of the house, which later became the museum of the famous Spanish architect, began at the turn of the 19-20 century. His birth was due to the wealthy entrepreneur Eusebi Guell, who decided to build a huge residential quarter in the middle of a simple park. The project, striking in its grandeur, could be among the greatest creations of its time, but it soon became clear that the funds invested in it were unlikely to pay off, so all work gradually stopped.
The only reminder of the once grandiose construction plans was a beautiful pale pink building, which served as a model for other local buildings. This was the very house in which, a few years after the death of Guell, Antonio Gaudi would live with his father and daughter of his brother. Having lived in it for more than 20 years (almost until the very end of his life), the master altered a lot to his liking and left behind a lot of valuable things. After his death, the building became a private building, and in 1963 the Gaudi Museum was opened in it, which was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
What’s inside?
Compared to other creations created by the great architect, the Gaudi Museum in Barcelona looks rather modest. At one glance at him, it becomes clear that the master lived by one work and was absolutely unpretentious in everyday life. Due to constant employment, Antonio could wear the same clothes for weeks, and came home only to spend the night. However, this did not stop him in every way from decorating and elevating the territory of the cottage. Here, even a massive metal fence, decorated with twisted arches and smooth bends, was created by the hands of the master. Researchers claim that it exists in a single copy.
The interior decoration of the house deserves no less attention. It not only acquaints visitors with one of the most striking figures of the past, but also immerses them in a special atmosphere, imbued with thoughts and lifestyle of Gaudi himself. The museum building consists of several floors, the first of which is occupied by furnishings created by the projects of the great architect. These unusual furniture products, which were very fashionable at one time, were readily bought up by entrepreneurs and wealthy officials. Subsequently, most of this collection was redeemed, so each of you can see them.
The rooms that make up the second floor of the Gaudí House Museum in Barcelona exactly correspond to the environment in which the legendary craftsman lived and worked. Among them, a special place is occupied by the architect’s bedroom, several private rooms and a couple of workshops. The interiors of all the halls are preserved in their original form – they remained exactly the same as they were in the first half of the 20th century. Everywhere are Gaudi’s personal items, various household items and original decorative ornaments, looking at which you can find out a lot of interesting facts about the creator of the most outstanding buildings in Spain.
The third floor of the house is occupied by a unique library, on the shelves of which are stored more than 30 thousand books and documents related to the name of the architect. There is also a separate room in which paintings by Pablo Picasso and Joan Miró are posted. They are also open to the public. True, you can get there only by appointment. In the basement of the Gaudi Museum in Spain, there is a dining room, a former grocery warehouse and a small souvenir shop equipped with a separate entrance. Here you can buy commemorative gizmos and information brochures with stories about the master and his creations.
The latest museum exhibit can be found in the garden surrounding the house around the perimeter. The main pride of this collection is the samples of world-famous sculptures that adorn the best works of Gaudi. Like other buildings created by the architect, the Gaudí House Museum impresses not only with its external beauty and unusualness, but also with its carefully calibrated interior space – each room and furnishings are arranged in a certain order in it.
Practical information
The Gaudi House Museum in Barcelona is open all year round, however opening hours here depend on the season:
- October, November, December, January, February, March: from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m .;
- April, May, June, July, August, September: from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- 12/25, 12/26, 01/01, 01/06/01: from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Cost of visit:
- Adults (from 17 years and older) – 5.50 €;
- Children under 11 years of age, as well as people with disabilities and the persons who accompany them, are free;
- Teenagers from 11 to 17 years old, students and holders of a pension certificate – 4,50 €;
- Integrated ticket (house, Sagrada Familia and audio guide) – 27 €. In this case, you can visit the unique museum within 5 days after a visit to the cathedral.
The ticket remains active throughout the day. At the same time, you can remain on the territory of the complex as much as you like – at least until the close. Look for more information on the official website of the complex – https://sagradafamilia.org/casa-museu-gaudi.
Useful Tips
Going to the Gaudi house-museum in Barcelona, listen to the recommendations of those who have already managed to visit there:
- There are several ways to get to the house of the famous architect – by bus No. 116 to the Larrard-Olot stop, by metro to Lesseps station (green line L3) and on the tourist bus next to Park Guell.
- Despite the fact that for children entrance to the complex is free, they still need to get a ticket.
- To get acquainted with one of the main city attractions, it is worth taking headphones and a phone with a special application. The program supports up to 16 languages - including Russian.
- It is better to take a ticket online. Firstly, it’s cheaper, and secondly, so you can choose the time to visit and go to the museum without waiting in line.
- If you want to save even a little, buy a comprehensive ticket that allows you to visit not only the house of Gaudi, but also Sagrada Família. In this case, the audio guide is free.
- To avoid a huge concentration of tourists, come early – preferably, to the opening itself.
- Do not forget to climb to the observation deck, located under the very roof of the house – they say, it offers a wonderful view of the city.
The main masterpieces of Antonio Gaudi:
Posted by: Olga Sheyko
