Church of Colònia Güell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of Colònia Güell |
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Crypt portion of the church
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| General information | |
| Location | Santa Coloma de Cervelló (Province of Barcelona), Spain |
| Construction started | 1898 |
| Construction stopped | 1914 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Antoni Gaudí |
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
| Part of | Works of Antoni Gaudí |
| Criteria | Cultural: (i), (ii), (iv) |
| Inscription | 1984 (8th Session) |
| Extensions | 2005 |
| Type: | Non-movable |
| Criteria: | Monument |
| Designated: | 24 July 1969 |
| Reference #: | RI-51-0003825 |
The Church of Colònia Güell is a special building designed by the famous architect Antoni Gaudí. It is located in Santa Coloma de Cervelló, a town near Barcelona in Spain. This church was meant to be a place of worship for the people living in a nearby factory area.
Gaudí started working on the church in 1898, but construction didn't begin until 1908. The original plan was very grand. It included two main areas for worship, two tall towers, and a huge dome. However, the church was never fully finished. In 1914, the family funding the project stopped construction. Only the lower part of the church, called the crypt, was almost complete. This part was finished between 1915 and 1917 so it could be used.
The Church of Colònia Güell is one of seven buildings by Gaudí near Barcelona that are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These sites are known as the "Works of Antoni Gaudí." They show how creative Gaudí was and how much he helped architecture grow in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Contents
History of the Church
When Antoni Gaudí was 28 years old, he received several important jobs from Count Eusebi de Güell. The Church of Colònia Güell was one of these projects. Count Güell wanted a church for the workers in his industrial village, Colònia Güell.
How Gaudí Planned the Church
Gaudí used a very unique method to design the church. He called it a "funicular system." Imagine hanging ropes from the ceiling. Gaudí attached bags filled with lead to these ropes. This allowed him to see how the church's curves would look and how much weight different parts would need to hold.
He also used canvas sheets to create the shapes of the walls and ceilings. This method helped him understand the forces that would act on the real building. To turn this hanging model into his actual design, Gaudí would photograph it. Then, he would flip the image upside down and trace over it, adding his artistic touches. This special way of planning helped Gaudí create new architectural shapes, like the ones you see in many of his designs.
Exploring the Crypt
The crypt is the only part of the church that was fully built. It was constructed from 1908 to 1915. Because it's on a hillside, part of the crypt is built underground. Gaudí designed it to blend in with the nature around it.
Outside the crypt, you can see pillars made from many bricks. Some pillars are even made from a single large stone block. The roof of the crypt has interesting geometric shapes. These shapes are formed by the way the different pillars connect.
The crypt is not very bright inside because it's partly underground. However, there are 22 colorful stained glass windows. These windows let in beautiful, colored light, making the space feel special.
The Unfinished Chapel
Even though the chapel was never finished, it's a very important part of the church's story. The designs for the chapel are similar to those Gaudí used for his famous Sagrada Família church. This is because Gaudí used the Church of Colònia Güell as a testing ground. Count Güell gave him a lot of freedom to try out new ideas and theories here.
Gaudí planned every detail of the worship area, even the benches. All the furniture in the church was designed by Gaudí himself. Many of these pieces have been saved. It's rare to find original furniture by Gaudí, but you can still see some examples in the Sagrada Família and in private homes.
Recent Changes
Around the year 2000, local architects started repairing the crypt. These repairs made the building more friendly for visitors. Now, people can even stand on the roof of the crypt, which would have been the floor of the main church if it had been completed.
See also
In Spanish: Cripta de la Colonia Güell para niños
