Colònia Güell

The Colonia Güell is a small industrial colony located in the municipality of Santa Coloma de Cervelló (Barcelona). It is considered one of the key references for studying the architecture of Antoni Gaudí and is also one of the most important Modernist ensembles and tourist attractions in Catalonia.

Unlike the vast majority of industrial colonies in Catalonia, Eusebio Güell sought to bring social improvements for workers and applied his role as a patron of culture. Thus, he equipped the Colonia Güell with cultural and religious facilities, and incorporated the Modernist style into the new buildings. The church designed by Antoni Gaudí himself stands out in particular: unfinished, it lays the foundations for what would become the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.

Given the heritage richness of the ensemble, in 1991 the Colonia Güell was declared a Bien de Interés Cultural, and protection was established for the most significant buildings, as well as for the general characteristics of construction.