Colònia Güell
The Colònia Güell, one of the most pioneering purpose-built industrial villages of the 19th century is located in the town of Santa Coloma de Cervelló, 23 Km to the south-west of Barcelona. Gaudí developed the architectural innovations of his later works in the church crypt, which has been designated a Unesco World Heritage site.
In 1890, social unrest made it necessary for the industrialist and patron of the arts, Eusebi Güell, to move his textile mill to Santa Coloma de Cervelló. the new project involved the creation of an industrial village with amenities which would improve the workers' quality of life: terraced houses, an athenaeum, theatre, school, shops, gardens and church. some of the leading modernista architects of the day were involved in the construction of the village, resulting in highly beautiful spacious buildings. Antoni Gaudí was commissioned to design the church and his project consisted of an upper and lower nave, towers at the sides and a belfry measuring 40 m in height. In 1914, when the lower nave had been completed, the Güell family withdrew funding for the project. the church, now known as the crypt, included Gaudí's architectural innovations for the first time. catenary arches, outer walls and vaults in the shape of hyperbolic parabolas, decorative broken mosaic tiling, known as "trencadís", and the integration of materials into their natural surroundings.
The mill closed in 1973 due to the crisis in the textile sector. in the year 2000, refurbishment began on the more than 20 unique buildings in the Colònia Güell.
How to arrive (Only 25 minutes from Barcelona)
Trains Ferrocarriles de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC) from Plaza Espanya, Barcelona, Lines S3, S4, S8 and S9. to Station – Colonia Güell. And same trains from Colonia Güell station to Barcelona Plaza Espanya.
Travel with the FGC train decorated with Gaudi’s Crypt. Saturdays and Sundays:
- Departure from Pl. Espanya: 10:58 a.m. line S4 – Arrival to Colonia Güell 11:21 a.m.
- Departure from Colonia Güell: 14:11 p.m. line S3 – Arrival to Pl. Espanya 14:34 p.m.
Ticket entrance to be purchased online at 9.50 euros.
Check the website
http://gaudicoloniaguell.org/en/
Arenys de Mar
(only 50 minutes by train from Plaça Catalunya Station)
Arenys De Mar is one of the main towns in the area known as The Maresme. The towns proximity to Barcelona, and the population increase which has occurred in recent years has not affected the character of the town, which has expanded gradually. The people of Arenys enjoy a large variety of social activities and they take pride in the town.The local history and future projects which affect the town, are discussed passionately by the local people.
Arenys De Mar is situated 40km from Barcelona, which can be reached by road either on the NII (Route National 2) or by the motorway C-32. By rail, line C1 on the suburban network runs a frequent service which takes 50 minutes from Arenys De Mar to the centre of Barcelona (Plaza de Catalonia).
The coast in and around Arenys consists of extensive beaches with a background of hills which slope down to the sea, which acts as an introduction to the more rugged coastline of the Costa Brava. In the port there is also a large Marina
The port of Arenys is one is one of the most important on the Catalan coast, and is the most obvious connection with the town´s long history and seafaring traditions. Fishing and all the support activities which have grown around the port is one of the main economic activities in the town. Almost the whole fishing fleet of the Maresme (the area so called, which includes Arenys de Mar and othes towns like for example San Pol de Mar etc..) is based here.