Eusebi Güell, Antoni Gaudi's most important patron, left his mark all over the city of Barcelona. The Palau Güell, right off of Las Ramblas, and Park Güell, up in the neighborhood of Gràcia, are just two famous sights that bear his name.
Few realize that at the end of the 19th century, before the construction of his now famous city park, Güell asked Gaudí to design a utopian industrial community - Colonia Guell - outside the western borders of Barcelona. The aim of the colony was to create a healthy, hygenic, and familiy-friendly living environment for factory workers. This type of project was in fashion in England and throughout Catalonia, where industry was booming.
Colonia Guell is full of green areas, cultural centers, theaters, libraries, schools and leisure areas all designed in accordance with the project's utopian aim. Most notable are the church and its crypt, an architectural masterpiece typical of Gaudí's modernista style.
Colonia Guell can still be visited in the town of Santa Coloma. There is an exhibit at the visitor center with English translations, but the best way to get a feel for the place is to just stroll around and discover all its elements.
The best way to get to the Colonia Guell is to take an FGC train (S4, S7, S8) from Plaça d'Espanya to the "Colonia Güell" station. Trains leave about every 15 minutes and the trip takes 20 minutes.
Tourist Information
Gaudi Church
Summer hours 10am-2pm & 3pm-7pm Mon-Sat, 10am-3pm Sun; Winter 10am-3pm daily
Visitor Center
Summer hours 9am-7pm Mon-Sat, 9am-3pm Sun; Winter 9am-3pm daily
Tel (+34) 936 305 807
Colonia Guell Guided Tours
2-hour tour through the whole colony
30-minute tour
of the church
Reserve in advance.
