Palau Guell, Barcelona

To see the first major building celebrated architect Antoni Gaudí designed in this city, visit World Heritage–listed Palau Guell. The house was built in the late 1880s for a wealthy local industrialist, Eusebi Güell. Like many other works by Gaudí, this palace features an unusual combination of materials, blending elements from Gothic, Islamic, and Art Nouveau architecture. During the middle of the 20th century, police tortured political prisoners in the basement of the house, and later the building stood abandoned for decades, slowly falling into disrepair. After a massive renovation project that took nearly 20 years to complete, the house reopened in its full splendor in 2010. To learn the full story behind this fascinating building, pick up the audio guide at the entrance. For Palau Guell and beyond, use our Barcelona attractions app to get the most from your Barcelona vacation.