Palau Güell: A Photographer's Delight

Antoni Gaudí's Palau Güell is among his lesser-known but no less stunning works. The evidence of this is the interiors designed by the architect himself. The mansion, located in Barcelona and commissioned for construction, belonged to Eusebi Güell, a wealthy industrialist who was the earliest to appreciate Gaudí's work. The building was built in 1888 and was a combination of Gothic and Art Nouveau style with the famous curves and organic shapes that Gaudi is famous for. There are dozens of opportunities for photographers to capture Gaudi's architectural splendour on the borderline between reality and fiction. In this article, we will look at seven of the main, most photographically compelling features of this magnificent building, from the intricate details to the grand open spaces.

1. The Roof

Gaudi's designed roof looks like a kind of whimsical landscape as he constantly played with materials. The chimneys resemble miniature scenic installations. They are covered with colourful and shimmering tiles. Each chimney has its own unique shape and colour pattern. The serpentine lines of the roof and the play of light on the tiles make it a photographer's paradise. Of course, if you add the spectacular view of the city from the roof, as well as the impressive shapes of the multi-coloured chimneys against the Barcelona skyline, you can capture a great photo.

2. The Carpeted Staircase

One of the many features of the interior is the grand staircase, or Escalera, which leads from the lobby to the upper floors. This magnificent staircase is covered with a luxurious carpet, giving it warmth and grandeur. The deep red colours of the carpet contrasting with the cool stone and wrought iron create an attractive and pleasing visual balance.

3. Windows from the Inside

The windows of the Palacio Güell are the epitome of Gaudi's genius for creating spaces where light penetrates. The multicoloured glass and wrought iron let light through their intricate patterns and reflect a multitude of stunning and vibrant colours throughout the rooms cast by the filtered light. Photographers are drawn to the play of light and colour that changes from morning to noon to night.

4. Brick Columns

The brick columns cannot go unnoticed. They are roughly hewn bricks, demonstrating Gaudi's ability to combine rawness with sophistication. The columns seem to sprout from the earth, in keeping with Gaudi's love of forms inspired by nature. They are very well suited for both wide-angle shots and close-up detail shots.

5. The Entrance Area

The entrance to Palau Güell is the first place where the visitor can experience Gaudi's superiority in space and functionality. Decorative ironwork and a fantastic wooden door creates a striking first impression. Photographers can take shots of the entrance from different angles, where the massive heavy door will contrast with the slim, graceful wrought iron forms. The effect of light coming through the door and windows can create amazing shadows, making this location ideal for capturing architectural details and conveying the spirit of the space.

6. The Central Hall

The central hall of Palacio Güell is a grand hall, wide and majestic, designed to impress. In fact, it is the heart of the building, with its soaring high ceilings and dramatic proportions, while the intricate detailing of the wooden beams combined with the tiled floor creates symmetry and balance given by the play of light from the central light dome. From a photographic point of view, the central hall gives the user every opportunity to use wide angles to convey the mighty scale of the room, and very close shots of decorative details such as the ceiling panels or the colourful tiles underfoot.

7. Brick Chimneys

Another important subject of photography is the brick chimneys on the roof of the Güell Palace. They can be isolated individually or placed more widely, creating a backdrop against the Barcelona skyline. They have standard but interesting shapes and provide plenty of opportunities to create colourful compositions.

Palau Güell is a great place for photographers who want to capture Gaudi's creation at its best. The intricate chimneys on the roof, the intricately crafted brick columns, and the play of light streaming through the windows all create delightful opportunities for photographers in this huge architectural masterpiece. From the magnificent grandeur of the central hall to the extraordinary detailing of the wrought iron gates, Palau Güell is truly any photographer's dream with an absolute balance of form, colour and texture that will inspire.