Torre Bellesguard and Colonia Guell tour

Discover two of Gaudi’s less well-known gems

One of the best ways to see Gaudi’s buildings is to avoid the crowds by visiting some of his more off-the-beaten-path creations. You have a private, guided tour of two of Gaudi’s lesser-known masterpieces, Torre Bellesguard and the Colonia Güell crypt, is the perfect way to experience Gaudi’s work in a more up close and personal way.

Both buildings are fantastic examples of Gaudi’s unique architectural style and craftsmanship. Both places are away from the hustle and bustle of Barcelona’s city centre, so can be enjoyed at a leisurely pace, without the crowds.

Torre Bellesguard

The first stop on your tour is Torre Bellesguard, also known as Casa Figueres, a modernist manor house designed by Gaudí and built between 1900 and 1909 and is an outstanding example of Gaudi’s work.

Located in the Sarrià-Sant Gervasi district of Barcelona, now one of the city’s suburbs, Torre Bellesguard stands on the ground that was the site of the country residence of Martin, king of Aragon and count of Barcelona in the 15th century. Its medieval heritage inspired Gaudi and can be seen in its neo-gothic design with its spire and in the impressive tiling and glasswork.

Colonia Güell Crypt

The church of Colonia Güell is the second stop on the tour. One of Gaudi’s earlier projects, it’s located just outside Barcelona near the town of Santa Coloma.

Colonia Guell was built as a model village to house the factory workers employed by the Catalan industrialist Eusebi Guell, who was one of Gaudi’s main patrons. The whole village was designed in the Catalan modernista style.

Gaudi was commissioned to design the church for the community. Although it was left unfinished, the crypt was completed and can be visited, and is a remarkable forerunner of the architectural style that Guadi would later use in the Sagrada Familia.

After your tour of the crypt your guide will take you for a walk around the workers’ village, which is home to plenty of examples of the Catalan modernist style of architecture popularised by Gaudi and his contemporaries .