Beautiful Palace right in the center of Barcelona!

38. The Palau Reial de Pedralbes: "Pedralbes Royal Palace") is a building placed in the middle of an ample garden in the district of Les Corts, in Barcelona. From 1919 until 1931 it was the residence for the Spanish Royal Family when they visited the city. Currently it includes the Ceramic museum and the Textile Museum and Museum of Decorative Arts (interior design museum). 

The palace has its origins in the old Masia de Can Feliu, from the 17th century. The corresponding land was acquired by the count Eusebi Güell, along with the neighbouring Can Cuiàs de la Riera. Together they formed the Finca Güell, an extensive parcel of land (30,000 m2). The Can Feliu building was remodeled by the architect Joan Martorell i Montells, who built a Caribbean-style small palace, together with a Gothic-style chapel and surrounded by magnificent gardens. Later the building remodeling was given to Antonio Gaudí, together with the construction of a surrounding perimeter wall and the side entry pavilions. Gaudí also partially designed the gardens surrounding the palace, placing two fountains and a pergola and planted many Mediterranean plants like palm trees, cypress trees, magnolias, pine trees and eucalyptus. The Hercules fountain still exists today on site, restored in 1983. It has a bust of Hercules on top of a pillar with Catalonia's shield and a spout in the shape of a Chinese dragon.

A must visit landmark, and a wonderful romantic landscape. The gardens are just superb! 

---

Location: Av. de Pedralbes, 7 Barcelona
Telf: +34 933 17 76 52
http://www.festivalpedralbes.com/es/palau/