Torre Bellesguard is the popular name of Casa Figueras, a house belonging to the Guilera family for more than seventy years.
Photo by GerthMichael via Wikimedia Commons
Designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, Torre Bellesguard was built during the years of 1900 and 1909, right by Sierra de Collserola in Barcelona, in the Sarrià-Sant Gervasi district.
This neo-gothic house was influenced by gothic medieval art. Gaudí had been studying the gothic style from various regions in Spain, like Léon and Burgos. Gaudí came to the conclusion that the gothic style was flawed and decided to try and solve some of the style’s issues himself, by creating new and innovative techniques.
The modern Torre Bellesguard was actually build using some of the remaining elements of an old castle that used to exist at that same spot, which explains why the house resembles a castle from the outside.
The name Bellesguard means “beautiful view”.
Related article: Miniature Catalonia in Barcelona
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The architect
Antoni Gaudí is one of the most famous architects in the history of Spain, and the most important name in Catalan Modernism. Gaudí created a number of fascinating works, many of which have been declared World Heritage by UNESCO. There are a number of examples of the architect’s work in Barcelona, like Casa Battló (Passeig de Gràcia, 43), Casa Milá/La Pedrera (Carrer de Provença 261-265), Casa Vicens (Carrer de les Carolines, 18-24), Palau Güell (Carrer Nou de la Rambla, 3-5), Colonia Güell (Carrer Claudi Güell), Casa Calvet (Carrer de Casp, 48), and Sagrada Família (Carrer de Mallorca, 401), the single most visited monument in Barcelona.
Visit Torre Bellesguard
Torre Bellesguard is open to public visits from Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 3pm. You can choose to visit the site with an Audio Guided Tour or a Full Guided Tour.
Related article: A visit to Park Güell
Events at Torre Bellesguard
Photo by Catalan Art & Architecture Gallery (Josep Bracons) via Wikimedia Commons
During the Summer, between the 25th of June and the 15 of September, Torre Bellesguard becomes the site of live, open-air concerts, in a program called Nits Gaudi Gaudi Gaudi Nights).
Torre Bellesguard is located at Carrer Bellesguard, 16-20. The best way to get there with public transportation is by taking buses 2258, 60, 75, 196, 123; the FGC train from Pl. Catalunya to Av. Tibidabo; the Blue Tram to Av. Tibidabo, Pl. Doctor Andre, or by taking one of the tourist transportations like the Sightseeing Bus (blue route) or Barcelona City Tour (East Route).
* Main photo by Catalan Art & Architecture Gallery (Josep Bracons) via Wikimedia Commons
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