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Industrialist Eusebi Güell owned an estate in the Les Corts district with a Caribbean-style mansion called Torre Satalia, which is situated roughly where the Palau Reial de Pedralbes now stands. Güell contracted Antoni Gaudí to remodel the entrance lodges and gardens for the estate. The project was completed between 1884 and 1887 and marks Gaudí’s first commission in Barcelona for Güell, who would become his main patron. This was the first project in which Gaudí used the ‘trencadís’ technique (creating a mosaic using broken tile shards).
The Porta del Drac (Dragon’s Gate) used to be the private entrance for the Güell family.
On the wrought-iron gate of the Güell Estate on Avinguda Pedralbes sprawls a giant mythological dragon from the Garden of the Hesperides, (which was overcome by Hercules as one of his twelve labours, an episode described by Jacint Verdaguer in his poem L’Atlàntida). A turret on one side of the gate, displays a medallion bearing the initial “G” for Güell. Gaudí also built two fountains and a pergola and planted pines, eucalyptus, palms, cypresses and magnolias in the garden of the estate. In 1969 the Pavellons Güell were declared a Monument of National Historic and Artistic Interest and currently belong to the University of Barcelona.
Address: Av. de Pedralbes, 7, 08034 Barcelona
Phone: 933 17 76 52
Nearest Metro: Maria Cristina (L3)