Bellesguard Tower

Bellesguard Tower (61)

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If you go up to the tower, the first thing you can enjoy is the “lovely view”, which is what “bell esguard” means. It is worth going to the top of the city to see this medieval castle – built in 1900!

The Bellesguard Tower is also known as the Casa Figueres and is located at the foot of the Collserola hills. The building is as curious as it is historical because it is built right on top of the ruins of an old castle erected by the last king of the Catalan dynasty of Martin the Human, who had adopted it as his summer residence in 1410.

The owner, Senyora María Sagués, commissioned the project to Antoni Gaudí in 1900, who designed it with the clear inspiration of the medieval period, making use of some of the few elements which had survived such as the interior courtyard and the walls. Like all his works, it is certainly different, but it would fit perfectly into a romantic story of lovers, dragons and fairies. The cranellations at the top of the tower seem to strengthen its presence.

Elegant and slender, it is a fusion of Modernist and neo-Gothic elements. It brick structure is entirely covered in natural stone from the area, accentuating its medieval appearance. It is a four sided rectangular building, with the façade covered in a layer of curious stones with really spectacular tiled benches.

The gothic windows are incredibly long, almost ghost-like. The mosaics designed by Domènech Sugranyes and the ironwork help to create an atmosphere of fantasy. At the top of the spiked tower is one of the four-armed crosses that are so typical of Gaudí.

There are five floors and the interior decoration is really thought-provoking. Innovative solutions and light structures give amazingly luminous visual effects.

The building was not finished Gaudí, but by Domènech Sugranyes.

Even though it is not generally open to visitors, it is worth going just to see the outside. And don’t forget to take your camera!

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