Bellesguard lies at the feet of the Collserola mountain range just outside of the city. Also known as Casa Figueras, it was erected upon the ruins of a 15th-century residence of the last king of Catalonia, Martin I el Humano. An early work of Catalonia's most famous son, Antoni Gaudi, Bellesguard was constructed in 1900 and quite rightly marked Barcelona's entrance into the whole new era of the 20th Century.

In his reworking of the old structure, Gaudi took advantage of the few remaining elements of the original residence: the battlements, fragments of walls, and the patio. This is why his creation evokes immediate association with a royal fortress rising tall in stone and brick. The fabulous pointed tower, unadorned iron gate and parapets make Bellesguard look like a genuine relic from the Medieval Ages.Visionary mosaics created by Domènec Sugrañes i Gras constitute an additional fantastic touch. In contrast to the facade, the interior of Bellesguard is light and spacious, a true Art Nouveau villa with walls and pillars of white, carefully formed plaster.