Spain Trip #20: Barcelona: Park Guell part 1

Gaudi Building #2 

In today's blog about our trip to Spain, we're going to take you to the famous "Park Guell" located on a hill atop the city of Barcelona. This park was designed by Antoni Gaudi, of whom you learned about in the previous blog on the Sagrada Familia basilica.

WHAT IS PARK GUELL? The Park Güell is a public park system composed of gardens and architectonic elements located on Carmel Hill, in Barcelona, Catalonia. Carmel Hill belongs to the mountain range of Collserola – the Parc del Carmel is located on the northern face.

ADMISSION: Although it's a public park there is an admission charge to get in it. There are also two buildings designed by Antoni Gaudi, and a "marketplace" with columns. TO BUY A TICKET: https://www.parkguell.es/en/portada

WHO DESIGNED IT? Three Architects: Antoni Gaudí, Josep Maria Jujol, Joan Rubió

WHAT WAS IT'S PURPOSE? I was a large park constructed beginning in 1900, but completed in 1914. It was created to be part of a self-contained suburb for the wealthy that included public areas. In the center of the park today sits an elementary school for the neighborhood children.

Gaudi building #1

stonework in building #1

 WHY WAS IT A FAILURE? The idea for the park was to be the center of a neighborhood for the wealthy. The elite were pitched the idea of having homes built around the park. Only 4 homes were purchased, so the project and the idea became a failure. By 1922, after 8 years of trying, the park was donated to the City of Barcelona.

 AMAZING TILE WORK - Gaudi's designs included amazing, detailed tile work. Multicolored tiles were everywhere and on everything!  From the inside to the outside of buildings. Tiny colored tiles lined the back of cement park benches. 

Scott sits on one of the ornamental tiled park benches 

FAST FACT: In 1984, UNESCO declared Park Güell a World Heritage Site. barcelonaexperience.com

OUR OBSERVATION: There was a lot of construction happening in the park. The main portion of the park consisted of the "Marketplace" which you will see in the next blog. The top part of that marketplace was under construction, with earth moving equipment placing dirt over it, and leveling it. Some of it was fenced off so visitors could not access the park. 

Tile in detail

NEXT: The Marketplace & Aqueduct

Entry way from the top of the hill