Updated Aug 26 2023
Despite being one of Gaudí’s most important works, the Gaudí Crypt of Colònia Güell is one of the less visited sights by tourists who come to our city and even many of the city’s residents have never visited it.
This is because, unlike the vast majority of works by the brilliant modernist architect, such as Casa Batlló, Casa Batlló, La Pedrera or Park Güell among others, the Crypt of Colònia Güell is located outside of the city of Barcelona, specifically in the neighbouring town of Santa Coloma de Cervelló.
Visit to the Gaudí Crypt in Colònia Güell
Gaudí’s Crypt is considered the most important work of Colònia Güell. Eusebi Güell commissioned this project to Antoni Gaudí in 1898. A good example of the confidence that the industrialist placed in the architect is that he gave him complete freedom to carry out the work, which would begin 10 years later, after making countless previous designs and models.
The construction of the church, which was to have two naves and several towers and whose design was reminiscent, albeit on a small scale, of that of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, was truncated when, in the year 1914, the children of Eusebi Güell refused to continue financing the expensive work. Only the Crypt had been built and so it remained, being blessed by the bishop of Barcelona a few months later so that ceremonies could be officiated there.
The Crypt is located on a small hill so Antoni Gaudí had to use his experience and genius to overcome the problems arising from building on such an uneven terrain. Not only did he do that, but he used materials whose textures and tones were as close as possible to the soil and vegetation surrounding the Crypt.
The design of the Crypt has an obvious Gaudí feel, with its curved shapes, visible in its arches and walls, as well as the many symbolisms that can be seen in it, where nature once again has a leading role. The interior features bright and colourful stained glass windows, reclining benches and magnificent basins of holy water made with seashells native to the Philippines.
In 2005, UNESCO declared Gaudí’s Crypt a World Heritage Site which revitalised interest in one of the architect’s lesser-known works, even though it is probably one of the most mature and demanding.
There is no restriction on taking photographs, only that they are not taken 15 minutes before the start of religious ceremonies.
Gaudí’s Crypt Photo Gallery
Buildings of interest in Colònia Güell
The historical and architectural importance of this group of buildings is such that in 1990 Colonia Güell was declared a Site of Cultural Interest. Just like Gaudí’s Crypt, the other buildings that make up Colonia Güell are of a clear modernist style, although their design and construction took into account the suitability of the buildings for civil and industrial use.
| BUILDING | ARCHITECT | |
|---|---|---|
| Ca l’Ordal | Joan Rubió i Bellver | Private |
| Ca l’Espinal | Joan Rubió i Bellver | Private |
| Can Soler de la Torre | – | Private |
| The Secretary’s House | – | Doctor’s office |
| School and Teacher’s House | Frances Berenguer i Mestres Francesc Berenguer i Bellvehi | No current use / Private |
| Parish House | Francesc Berenguer i Bellvehi | Parish office / Private |
| Fontova Theatre | – | Ateneu Unió |
| Doctor’s House | – | Private |
| Cooperative | Francesc Brenguer i Mestres Joan Rubió i Bellver | Private |
| San Lluís Parish Centre | – | Cultural Centre |
| Nun’s Convent | – | Municipal offices |
In spite of different social conflicts that occurred all over Catalonia and that were consequently experienced in the Colony itself, there are still many buildings in the complex that have been preserved. At present these buildings are privately owned, so unfortunately it is not possible to visit their interior.
Gaudí’s Crypt Photo Gallery
Information of interest to visit Colonia Güell and the Gaudí Crypt
The only construction of the complex that can be visited inside, and which you must pay to visit, is Gaudí’s Crypt. However, the rest of the buildings of interest of the old Colonia Güell are distributed between the streets of the town of Santa Coloma de Cervelló and, therefore, their exterior architecture can be admired by taking a short stroll through the town.
It is advisable to do so with the help of a map and an audio guide, so you can easily locate each of the constructions and know in-detail the overall history of Colonia Güell and more specific details of each of the buildings.
Colònia Güell types of visits and ticket prices
Visit to the Gaudí Crypt + audio guide Colonia Güell
Ticket to access the inside of Gaudí’s Crypt and Colonia Güell’s Interpretation Centre. The visit is open, with the help of a map and information leaflet that also includes the location of the rest of the buildings that were part of Colonia Güell.
Standard ticket: €10.
Discount ticket: €8.
Entrance + guided tour to the Gaudí Crypt
Standard ticket: €11.
Discount tickets: €9.
Language: Spanish and Catalan.
Entrance + guided tour to the Colònia Güell
Standard ticket: €11.
Discount tickets: €9.
Language: Spanish and Catalan.
Entrance + guided tour to the Gaudí Crypt and Colònia Güell
Standard ticket: €13.
Discount tickets: €10.2.
Language: Spanish and Catalan.
Schedule: Saturday at 12:00 (Catalan) and 12:30 (Spanish) and Sunday at 12:00 (Spanish) and 12:30 (Catalan).
Advance reservation: coloniaguell@adleisure.com.
Group visits
Reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance.
Entrance to the Crypt: €6.7.
Standard ticket + guided visit to the Gaudí Crypt: €8.9.
Entrance + guided tour to visit the Colònia Güell: €8.9.
Entrada + guided tour to Gaudí Crypt and Colònia Güell: €9.7.
* Reduced admission is for students, pensioners, retirees and large families. In all cases accreditation must be shown. Admission is free for children under 10.
* If you do not want to visit Gaudí’s Crypt, and you just want to stroll through the streets of the old town of Colonia Güell and walk among its buildings, you don’t need to buy a ticket, as these are part of some of the streets of the current town of Santa Coloma de Cervelló.
Opening hours
Winter (November – April)
From Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 17:00.
Saturday, Sunday and public holidays from 10:00 to 15:00.Summer (May – October)
From Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 15:00.
Saturday, Sunday and public holidays from 10:00 to 15:00.Closed
1st and 6th January, Good Friday and 25th and 26th December.
We recommend you that since you have travelled to Santa Coloma de Cervelló, not to just focus your visit on Gaudí’s Crypt and take the opportunity to walk around the town to see the many buildings of the former colony that are still standing and that have a great historical and architectural interest.
If you do so you are probably more than 2 hours in the area so it is more than likely that you will have to stay there to eat. An excellent option is to have a picnic in one of the parks or green areas. If instead you want to eat in a restaurant or have a drink in a bar, we suggest Can Serra, El Capritx, El Racó de Can Valentí or Restaurante Elsara.
Map and how to get to Colònia Güell?
History of Colònia Güell
In order to escape the social conflicts that were beginning to break out in Barcelona at the end of the 19th century, Eusebi Güell decided to move his textile industry from Sants, in Barcelona, to Santa Coloma de Cervelló, where he had one of his estates, Can Soler de la Torre.
The project, devised by Eusebi Güell, was very mindful of the services needed for the workers and their families (a school, hospital, inn, church, etc.) and located their housing next to the factory.
The industrialist entrusted the project to his good friend Antoni Gaudí, who in order to be able to cope with the great magnitude of the project collaborated with three other architects (Joan Rubió i Bellver, Francesc Berenguer and Josep Canaleta). Antoni Gaudí was responsible for building the church, which in the end only the crypt was completed, while the other buildings were built by his collaborators.
The decline and closure of Colònia Güell
After different social conflicts inside the industrial colony, it became controlled by the workers, creating a cooperative to manage it. Several years later, the Spanish Civil War had ended, and the factory was returned to the Güell family who sold it to another important family of the time, the Bertrand Serra family.
After several years of crisis, the factory finally closed in 1973 and its warehouses were sold to different companies so that they could establish their own factories there. After an extensive refurbishment at the beginning of the 21st century, the complex was transformed into a business park that is still in operation.