Fast Track Tickets to Colonia Guell

Colònia Güell is an industrial town built during the 19th century in the city of Santa Coloma de Cervelló, situated 20 kilometers south-west of Barcelona. It was made to improve the quality of life of those who worked at the textile mill owned by Eusebi Güell. The buildings are constructed in the popular modernist style of architecture, and theatres, schools, shops, gardens and an Athenaeum were built.

Ca l’Ordal is a building in Colònia Güell that was inspired by the traditional Spanish country houses. Designed by Francesc Berenguer and Joan Rubió, the brick structure gives a view into the life of people living in this era. Ca L’Espinal is another example of the modernist architecture. It is considered to be the finest building in Colònia Güell.

A church was commissioned to the famous designer Antoni Gaudí to be constructed at Colònia Güell. Due to the withdrawal of funding, the church remained unfinished. Several of Gaudí’s famous architectural innovations were first implemented here. Walls and vaults are in the form of hyperbolic parabolas. Most of the structure is decorated by broken mosaic tiling, called “trencadís.” This allows the structure to merge into the natural surroundings. The unfinished church, now known as a crypt was completed by local architects in 2000. They managed to repair the roof of the crypt, which would have served as the floor to the church.

The meeting point is outside the attraction itself. There are two variants to choose from during the time of booking. One of the two has an audioguide tour included. Both of them, however, have exclusive skip the line entry, with which you can bypass the queues. You are required to leave some form of identification (ID) as a deposit for the audioguide.

The highlight of the tour is the hidden treasure, the Gaudí crypt. The church, although unfinished, is one of the best examples of Antoni Gaudí’s work. Witnessing the beauty of it firsthand is a breathtaking experience. The catenary arches and parabolically shaped walls of the crypt with the lush green backdrop make for a splendid sight. You can explore the crypt at your own pace, as well as the laboratory.

You can visit the Gaudí laboratory, where he experimented continuously to discover new innovations, which he later used in the Sagrada Familia. The audioguide will give you a comprehensive history of the entire region. Since the industrial town is situated away from the city, the surrounding greenery fits in perfectly with the style of architecture. You can see the same buildings in their impeccable state, which have been meticulously maintained and conserved.

When you have finished touring the place, you must return the audioguide 10 minutes before the Visitor’s Centre closes.