Portal Miralles Barcelona – A rare Gaudí gem

Without Gaudí's architecture, Barcelona would have a completely different identity.

Everyone knows of Gaudí's work, and most people who have visited the city will probably have experienced at least one of his well-known works such as La Sagrada Familia, Park Güell or La Pedrera.

However, what many people do not know (not even barcelonins) is that Gaudí was responsible for some hidden gems around the city.

Portal Miralles, in Sarrià, is one of those gems.

In 1901, as Gaudí was starting work on Park Güell, he was approached by an industrialist, with whom he collaborated before, called Eugeni Miralles. Miralles commissioned Gaudí to design a private house with a perimeter wall in Sarrià. Gaudí started work but ended up only doing the wall and entrance gate. His assistant, Domingo Sugrañes, built the house, which does not exist anymore.

This huge, 8-meter-high arch, complete with wavy wall and trencadís, topped with a wrought-iron cross, seems to appear out of nowhere, almost surreally, because the original building has gone and it is surrounded by modern apartments.

There is a human-sized statue of Antoni Gaudí by sculptor Joaquim Camps, standing in the entrance.

If you continue walking along the same street, you'll find the impressive Pavellons Güell, another Gaudí gem, which is currently under renovation.

Being honest, I did not know about this architectural gem before; I came across it recently when I was exploring Sarrià with a friend, and I was really impressed. As I think you will be, too.