Hidden amidst Barcelona’s urban sprawl stand the Gsell Pavilions. These aren’t just any buildings. They whisper tales of a bygone era. They are a testament to the genius of Antoni Gaudí.
Count Eusebi Güell a wealthy patron commissioned Gaudí. He wanted to remodel his estate in the Les Corts district. This district was then a small town called Sarrià. The estate included two pieces of land Can Feliu and Can Cuyàs de la Riera. An existing Caribbean-style mansion stood on the property. This mansion was called Torre Satalia. Gaudí was tasked not only with the remodeling but also with creating a stunning perimeter wall complete with impressive gates.
Gaudí’s vision for the Gsell Pavilions was unique. He envisioned an Orientalist design. This design harkened back to the aesthetics of Mudejar art. The main gate was to be a wrought-iron grille shaped like a dragon. This dragon had glass eyes. It represented Ladon the dragon from Greek mythology. Ladon guarded the Garden of the Hesperides. Hercules famously defeated Ladon in one of his twelve labors. Above the dragon Gaudí incorporated an antimony orange tree. This was another subtle nod to the Hesperides myth. The dragon’s design cleverly mirrored the constellation Serpens. This was because Ladon was transformed into a serpent after stealing oranges.
The Gsell Pavilions themselves are more than just gates. They include a stable a longeing ring and several gatehouses. The stable is rectangular with a high Catalan vault. This vault has a graceful catenary curve. The longeing ring has a square base but is topped with a hyperboloid dome. This dome is crowned with an ornamental lantern. The gatehouses are a charming mix of architectural styles. One is polygonal while the others are cuboidal. All feature ceramic-faced chimneys acting as ventilators. The buildings are constructed primarily from brick. These bricks range in shade from red to yellow. Colorful glass and prefabricated cement blocks accent the design.
Gaudí’s influence extended beyond the pavilions themselves. He designed the estate’s gardens. He created two fountains and a pergola. He planted a variety of Mediterranean plants. These included pines eucalyptus palms cypresses and magnolias. One fountain the Fountain of Hercules still exists today. It features a bust of Hercules atop a basin. The basin displays the coat of arms of Catalonia and a Chinese dragon spout.
In 1969 the Gsell Pavilions were recognized for their historical and artistic significance. They were declared a Monument of National Historic and Artistic Interest. Today the Pavilions serve as the headquarters of the Royal Gaudí Chair. This chair is part of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. The Botanic Garden of the Faculty of Biology is also located on the site. The Gsell Pavilions a testament to Gaudí’s unparalleled creativity stand as a captivating piece of Barcelona’s rich history. They invite us to marvel at his artistry and imagine the vibrant life of the estate they once guarded.