Barcelona - Finca Güell

The Finca Güell, built in 1884-87 by Antoni Gaudí for the Count Güell as a country residence outside what was then the built-up area of the city, today lies in the district of Pedralbes, one of Barcelona's most select residential areas, in the immediate vicinity of the Palau de Pedralbes. The property consists of three buildings: the single story lodge to the left of the entrance, the large former stables and, attached to them, the round riding hall.

From a stylistic point of view the group of buildings is closely linked to the Casa Vicens (1883- 88) and, in common with that building, is reminiscent of the architecture of the Spanish Moorish period. The roofs of both the lodge and the riding hall are spanned by domes crowned with lanterns; the facades are covered in decorative tiles to which the window sections, executed in clinker brick, make an attractive contrast. Worthy of note are the elaborate openwork bricked ledges which surround the roof of the stables.