"As avid fans of Gaudi and his architectural brilliance we loved our visit to the Crypt and Church at Colonial Guell. The makings of the forms that would mature into the Sagrada Familia are evident, and there is a familiarity, and yet an immaturity to some of the structures within the church.
However, our overall impressions of Colonial Guell were not so positive. We suggest going with a guide and learning about the socio political context of the development of the “colony” and the advantages and disadvantages it represents. Unfortunately we opted for the audio guide and found that there was no grounding for us to base our learnings on. The audio guide was factual but not informative. In fact, it felt more like a hindrance. The area is not well signposted and the benefits of the architecture would have been advanced by tours of some of the buildings.
Great to see where Gaudi may have developed his social leanings, including education for workers’ children, but overall a disappointing experience."

Karen S

"Hidden gem of Gaudi’s — well worth the trip out to experience it in person (without the crowds of Sagrada F!)

Came on a Monday morning and it was easy to snag a ticket at the Information Centre. High recommend getting an audio guide with your ticket and learn about the Crypt’s architectural history as well as the surrounding area about Güell’s industrial colony. The staff at the Information Centre are warm and helpful, full of smiles.

Tip: Come before heading to the Barcelona Airport since they’re close to each other. I spent a solid hour enjoying the tranquility of the Crypt then headed straight to the airport to catch my flight back."

Annie Lye

"First, go to the visitors center to buy your ticket. On Sundays the church may be closed for worship for 1 hour, but during this time you can visit the other buildings of Colònia Güell.

The Crypt of Colònia Güell was designed by Antoni Gaudí as part of a larger, unfinished church for the workers of Colònia Güell, a textile colony established in the late 19th century by industrialist Eusebi Güell.

Construction took place between 1908 and 1915, but only the lower section—the crypt—was completed after work halted due to financial constraints following Güell’s death.

The crypt is notable for its innovative architectural solutions, serving as a testing ground for the structural solutions Gaudí later used in the Sagrada Família. The structure incorporates catenary arches, hyperbolic paraboloids, and twisted columns, achieving a balance between organic form and structural efficiency. Gaudí also experimented with diverse materials, including basalt, brick, stone, and mosaics, blending them harmoniously with the surrounding natural landscape.

The interior features tilted columns that distribute weight efficiently, allowing for large open spaces. The stained glass windows, in irregular shapes, diffuse light dynamically. The integration of architecture and nature—seen in elements like the irregularly shaped floor plan and the use of earthy materials—exemplifies Gaudí’s organic approach to design."

Kent Wang