Wheelchair Accessibility of Colonia Güell

March, 2022

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Do you want to see more than Barcelona and still enjoy the amazing architecture that Spain offers? La Colonia Güell is the perfect solution, located just 20 minutes by car from Barcelona. In this blog, you can read more about the village, its history, accessibility, what to see, and general information to plan your visit.

About Colonia Güell

La Colonia Güell is a small village located in the town of Santa Coloma de Cervello. It was built in the 19th century for industrial purposes. The village was set up as a worker colony, which means there were facilities established that factory workers needed at that time. Besides a place to work, you find housing, schools, markets, shops, and a hospital.

Initially, the village had a very basic look to it. Until Eusebi Güell, a supporter of the Catalan Modernist movement asked a few architects to blow some life into the hamlet. One of these architects was Antoni Gaudí. Gaudí eventually got permission to do whatever he wanted to the colony’s church.

Activity

The village gives visitors the option to walk/stroll around with informational headphones. Various highlights are numbered throughout the site, where you will receive more information about what you see and the fascinating history behind it.

After a full tour around the village and its beautiful buildings, you arrive at the church that Gaudi worked on. You will enter the crypt with admiration and amazement. The shades that reflect into the building when the sun shines on the colored windows are breathtaking. Not only the colors but also the architectural structures are astonishing. Everything seen in the church is a part of Gaudí’s personality and history.

Add more Gaudí sites to your tour

Are you interested in the stories that hide behind the amazing designs of Gaudí and want to see more of his works? Check out this Gaudí tour, which includes a private licensed guide to explain all the behind-the-scenes stories.

Click on the button for more information!

Gaudí’s Crypt

This work of art was originally a small chapel. Gaudí got the opportunity to build a new church for the growing population and practice new techniques and designs. He thought it was the perfect chance to try out his latest innovations. Even if it was unexpected and spontaneous, it still came out beautifully.

The crypt has never been finished due to endless problems. The word ‘Crypt’ itself explains what the church was supposed to be. However, Gaudí only finished the part above the ground. You can also see a set of stairs that go up the building. However, these lead to nowhere because the alleged first floor has not been finished.

Even though there are many unfinished things, it is still one of the most fascinating works of Gaudí. It was even declared as a World Heritage monument by UNESCO in 2005.

Colonia Güell’s Accessibility

The outside path is relatively smooth and flat. You can fairly easily walk/stroll through the town and discover the historical background of the 19th century. The way to the Crypt of Gaudi is the same for people on foot, so you will not be isolated on another road.

At the start of the Gaudi project, there was no awareness yet of accessibility for visitors with less(er) mobility. The visitors they kept in mind during construction were the factory workers.
Only after a period of time, they thought about improving people’s experiences. Now there is a curb-free entry to the crypt. And inside, there is sufficient space to maneuver around between the rows of benches.

How to get there

There are several ways to get to the village. The most accessible and easy way is to book an adapted taxi in advance. Another option is taking the bus, which is fully accessible for wheelchair users. The lines that can take you to Colonia Güell are L61 and L61A.

If you want to use the metro, check out our blog for more information about the metro’s accessibility and stations. Most metro stations are accessible for wheelchair users by providing a lift and an elevated entry in the front. Keep in mind that this is not the case for every station, so a little bit of research is definitely required.

Tickets

To see more of the textile town just outside Barcelona, you can book your tickets online or at the site itself. There is no discount for people with reduced mobility.

You need to bring a form of ID to leave behind as a security deposit for the headphones. Also, do not worry if you do not speak Spanish. The information is provided in nine languages: Catalan, Spanish, English, German, French, Italian, Russian, Japanese, and Chinese.

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