Review of Park Güell | Barcelona, Spain
08024 Barcelona, Spain
https://www.parkguell.cat/
age fotostock
A pilgrimage to this enchanting park is a must for any Antoni Gaudí fan. Located atop Carmel Hill to the north of the city, the park was inspired by English landscape gardens, but its fantastical elements make sure you know it was created by Catalonia’s most eccentric architect. Though there are multiple entrances, the most impressive is via a grand staircase guarded by an enormous, mosaic-tiled dragon. It leads to a sprawling plaza with a mosaic-covered cement bench stretching some 328 feet around the perimeter. Park Güell was originally designed as a gated residential development, but it failed; a show home built to lure buyers is now the Gaudí House Museum (not included with park admission). Visitors should reserve an online ticket to avoid lines.
Park Güell
A pilgrimage to this enchanting park is a must for any Antoni Gaudí fan. Located atop Carmel Hill to the north of the city, the park was inspired by English landscape gardens, but its fantastical elements make sure you know it was created by Catalonia’s most eccentric architect. Though there are multiple entrances, the most impressive is via a grand staircase guarded by an enormous, mosaic-tiled dragon. It leads to a sprawling plaza with a mosaic-covered cement bench stretching some 328 feet around the perimeter. Park Güell was originally designed as a gated residential development, but it failed; a show home built to lure buyers is now the Gaudí House Museum (not included with park admission). Visitors should reserve an online ticket to avoid lines.
Admire mosaics and gardens designed by Gaudí at Park Güell
While it’s well away from Barcelona’s center, Gaudí’s eclectic park is well worth the trip—be sure to carve out a few hours to examine every nook and cranny.
Mosaics are all around, ceilings decorated with celestial designs, undulating rooftops, the park’s iconic dragon and striking park benches with views of Gaudí’s other masterpiece, La Sagrada Familia. Avoid the crowds with a midweek, mid-morning visit and reserve tickets—no one likes to wait in line. Address: Park Güell Carrer d’Olot, s/n 08024, Barcelona
Fri Jul 18 03:41:25 EDT 2014
Gaudi’s last big project
Park Güell is the last big project that Antoni Gaudi designed for industrialist, Eusebio Güell. It is built up the side of a mountain, overlooking the flatter parts of Barcelona, the port, and the ocean. Far below, almost tiny is that vast sea of city buildings, stands his still unfinished masterpiece, La Familia Sagrada. The spires of the church rise high above the surrounding cityscape with cranes rising still higher. Park Güell is filled with fanciful walkways, a large plaza held up by romanesque columns and surrounded with a snake of continuous concrete benches.
In keeping with Gaudi’s philosophy that nature should be the inspiration (there are few straight lines in nature) and that architecture should be in the service of humanity, those benches are the most comfortable bit of concrete you’ll ever sit upon. In addition, Park Güell is home to famous Gaudi houses and sculptures. It’s a lovely place to spend a late afternoon and evening in Barcelona.
World’s Longest Continuous Park Bench
Tucked into one of Barcelona’s many neighborhoods is the farmed Park Guell. Designed by famous Catalan architect Gaudi, this magnificent park features quirky architecture, a cute little cafe and one ridiculously long park bench. The world’s longest continuous park bench, in fact. Catalans and tourists alike flock to this sunny spot for an afternoon siesta and for some really magnificent people watching.
Parc Güell
Have you been here? Tell us about it below!
Fri Jul 18 03:41:13 EDT 2014
Park Guell
Great use of public space and gardens.
Also has some fabulous mosaics and examples of of Gaudi’s architecture and urban design
Fri Jul 18 03:41:17 EDT 2014
Whimsical Dreams of Gaudi…..
I can only imagine the whimsical dreams that brought this park to life…Thank you Gaudi for sharing your many masterpieces….
Fri Jul 18 03:41:17 EDT 2014
Rendezvous – Gaudi Park Guell
A great melting pot of people admiring Gaudi’s innovative creations.
Fri Jul 18 03:41:17 EDT 2014
On Top of the World: One of my favorite spots in Barcy
I love practically everything about Barcelona! It’s a city that’s a feast for the senses. Say what you will about Gaudi and his creations but seeing them elicits in me this inexplicable awe and wonder. Parc Guell is one of my favorite public parks I’ve ever been to. The mosaic benches are beautiful and a perfect spot for a chance meeting with locals and fellow travelers. And the view of the city is quite remarkable.
Fri Jul 18 03:41:18 EDT 2014
Parc Guell
Parc Guell in Barcelona, Spain, with abundant Gaudi architecture and panaromic city views, is a must see for any traveler.
Fri Jul 18 03:41:18 EDT 2014
Colorful Mosaic of Park Güell – Barcelona, Spain
It’s like a wonderland, the whole park is decorated with colorful mosaic that are shiny and sparkling. Each peice is an individule art.
Fri Jul 18 03:41:19 EDT 2014
Park Güell icon
October 19th, 2011 On a recent unintended trip to Spain we had no itinerary but we knew we didn’t want to spend time in the large cities. On our way to Girona, we blew through Barcelona, but slowed down to tromp all over Park Güell. It is a must see UNESCO World Heritage site. Expect crowds and a lot of walking.
Wave of Tile at Gaudi’s Parc Güell
Gaudi’s ceramic tile work is absolutely stunning. Around each turn in Parc Güell you will discover something new. Come back and do the same walk and you will discover something else. Every angle has purpose with Gaudi so make sure to look at his work from all directions. The panoramic view of the entire city is also spectacular. If you only have one hour in Barcelona, go to Parc Güell.
Fri Jul 18 03:41:29 EDT 2014
Parc Güell
Barcelona is one of the most artistic and funky places in the world. Parc Güell is gorgeous and there are so many local artists who will make you custom pieces while you wait.
The Urban Fantasy Land
If you stay in the center of Barcelona, you will not doubt walk past Guadi’s buildings Casa Batillo and its dragon-spine roof or Casa Mila and it’s fluid facade. Head a little bit out of central Barcelona to the Garcia neighborhood and visit an entire park of Gaudi. There are houses that look like the Cat in the Hat from Dr. Suess could walk right out of them and corridors of mosaic suns. A rainbow lizard greets you at the entrance.
Fri Jul 18 03:41:30 EDT 2014
Breathtaking view of Barcelona
A must see tourist attraction in Barcelona is Parc Güell, designed by Antoni Gaudi. But if you continue to hike up the hill around the park you will get a chance to see the most amazing view of Barcelona. Follow signs for “Turo de les Tres Creus” and you will see a small hill of stones that you can climb to reach the highest point of the park! This was the most breathtaking part of visiting Barcelona, especially since few people make the trek to it!
Fri Jul 18 03:41:31 EDT 2014
Parc Guell, Barcelona, Spain
Designed by Gaudi, Parc Guell combines dramatic architectural elements with landscape features including walking trails and promenades.
Sited on a steep hill the parc contains multiple overlooks that frame breathtaking views to Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia. A visit on the Monday after Easter was crowded with tourists and locals alike.
Barcelona: The Gaudi-Inspired 10K
I didn’t have long in my most recent visit to Barcelona and I had two main objectives for my early morning hours before work. 1) Stretch my legs and get a workout in after a few days of flying and, 2) See some of my old favorite works by Antoni Gaudi for some visual inspiration. A good place to start is on the waterfront near Christopher Columbus’ column statue and head East toward signs for the Parc de la Citadella and Zoo. Once inside the park, head north toward the Arc de Triomf. From there stay North on Pg. Saint Joan. Turn left at Gran Via Corts Catalanes and right on Pg. Gracia, where you’ll soon be greeted by Gaudi’s Casa Batllo on your left. Continue North on Pg. Gracia and you’ll see the astounding work by Gaudi called Casa Padrera on the Provence corner.
Head East (right) on Provence and follow that all the way to the glorious Sagrada Familia. After circling the ever-evolving cathedral, head north again up, up, up to Park Guell for the view pictured. The return trip is all down hill and a straight shot if you’re headed to the waterfront again, making it a great 10 kilometer run or walk in the beautiful city of Barcelona. Note that you’re not paying entry fees because you’re not going in to the two houses or the cathedral, and that the entrance to the enchanting Park Guell is free!
Fri Jul 18 03:41:36 EDT 2014
Invisible Man
Street Art
Fri Jul 18 03:41:44 EDT 2014
Park Guell – A mosaic wonderland
I am lucky enough to live close to this gorgeous park designed by Antoni Gaudi. My husband and I like to see the sunrise from the very top, at the Hill of the 3 Crosses, when the crowds haven’t arrived yet. The sunset is also nice, but it’s not as quiet. I also love taking my clients here on their Gaudi Tours.
I show them the funky structures, explain them the story of the place and how Gaudi had envisioned it. They always love it! Subway is 20-30min walk, so I recommend you take a taxi to get here if walking uphill isn’t your thing!
Fri Jul 18 03:41:46 EDT 2014
Exploring Park Guell
Gaudí has a huge architecture presence in Barcelona and you should definitely check out his work. One of his most famous creations is Park Guell, which is a must see while in Barcelona. Once you climb up the structure, there is a beautiful view of the city at the top. This is a very popular tourist destination and I loved exploring the park!
Fri Jul 18 03:41:56 EDT 2014
View of Barcelona
Park Guell has two portions – the lower portion, which you must pay to enter and the upper portion, which is free. I visited the upper portion of the park for a gorgeous view of the whole city of Barcelona.
Fri Jul 18 03:41:58 EDT 2014
Lose yourself with a harmonic experience in Barcelona
I was lucky to visit Barcelona twice! I always said oh this place is so special that I would come again and lots of people feel the same but then keep discovering about new places! They’re right but u did it again and lived that feeling of losing myself in the giant green park where you can overlook Barcelona and listen to beautiful Andalusian music played by local individual musicians.
Have your breakfast and head direct to the park and enjoy minimum 5 hours. It’s so spiritual and beautiful! Oh now I feel I need to go back again 🙂
Thu May 28 15:40:17 EDT 2015
Tropical Vistas
Parc Guell’s famous plaza is a feast for the eyes in every direction. Palm trees to the right and left, charming villas nestled in between, and clever designs at every turn. The swirling, colorful mosaic bench is surprisingly comfortable. Designer Antoni Gaudi knew what he was doing! Take your photos, then settle in with a coffee or ice cream for some fun people-watching.
Wed Dec 16 16:30:30 EST 2015
My Week in Barca!
Barcelona. A city that cannot be described in a few words. The immense beauty, culture, and spirit of Barcelona would take years to fully experience, but unfortunately I only had four days. My journey began on a Wednesday, when I caught a flight from Manchester Airport in the UK down to Barcelona’s El Prat. The next morning, we headed over to Parc Guell, a massive park located right in Barcelona.
This park was one of my favorite moments of my entire trip. We climbed up the mountain through twisting paths, all the way to the top of the mountain, from which you could see across the entire city. An overlook that will never be forgotten. We jumped on the train and rode it to the coast, where we caught a boat to take us out onto the Mediterranean for an hour and a half. From here we moved on to the beach. I was able to lay in the sand, play some music from my phone, pretty much just throw away all my worries and live right there in that moment. The waves rolling in, the sun setting behind the mountains, and a cool breeze rolling in from the ocean; a more perfect moment could not have been possible. On my final day in Barcelona, there was only one thing I wanted to make sure I did (other than make it to my flight on-time), and that was make it to Quimet & Quimet, a tapas restaurant. Amazing food, amazing people, amazing views; the city of Barcelona is an all around amazing place, one that I will definitely be returning to in the future.
Carpe Diem Amigos!
Step inside the futuristic vision of Gaudí
Jul 13, 2017
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Contemporary & Modern Art
Park Guell: Step inside the futuristic vision of Gaudí
Chantal Menhem 20610
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Park Guell: Step inside the futuristic vision of Gaudí is actually the second article I dedicate to the city of daydreams, Barcelona! This city embraced art and architecture like no other, and this fact is revealed in its remarkable Catalan architecture and many stupendous modernist landmarks designed by Antoni Gaudí.
Park Guell is one of the most surreal landscapes ever build on the planet, the futuristic experiment of the architect Antonio Gaudí and his wealthy patron the Count Eusebi Guell, after whom the park was named.
Though never fully completed, it still remains one of Gaudí’s most vibrant and humorous projects and has been attracting, tourists, art lovers, and dreamers to a visually striking, and technologically complex future of Barcelona. Enough said. This article will embark on a heartfelt journey to rediscover the futuristic and dynamic vision of the fantasy concept of the Park!
In my previous article, I explained why a visit to Barcelona will remain incomplete without a step foot inside Gaudi’s 170-meter-tall Masterpiece “La Sagrada Familia.” However, alongside Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia, Park Güell is one of the most imaginative and one of the most important must-see places in Barcelona.
Introduction to Gaudi’s Vision
In order to value Gaudi’s futuristic vision, one must witness the context in which he envisaged his constructions. His passion for architecture, spirituality, and art helped Gaudi penetrate the door of distinction and fame more rapidly than any architect of his age.
Born in the late 1800’s, Gaudi was a Spanish Catalan architect from Reus who grew up fascinated by geometry and the natural wonders of the Catalonian countryside. He considered each inch and element of his creations and integrated into his architecture handicrafts such as ceramics, glass and marble mosaic tiles and skillful iron work. Seven of his masterpieces were added to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list between the late 1900’s and early 2000’s. Gaudi gained the nickname God’s Architect through his influence in religious images that appear in many of his works. For Gaudí, form and function were indivisible; one found visual splendor only after seeking structural effectiveness, which controls the natural world.
A dreamy walkway in Park Guell
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Barcelona? Well for me, it’s all about the dreamy, gingerbread house-looking buildings ornamented in colorful mosaics overlooking the city skyline! The ethereal beauty of Park Guell gives you a spectacular dream-like view of Barcelona.
This Park is also believed to be one of the world’s most beautiful sites for contemporary mosaic art, colorful tiles, and recycled ceramics!
Mosaic Art and a tribute to nature
Last but foremost, as Gaudí gave it the most interesting texture, the famous lizard in Barcelona is actually known as “El Drac”, or the dragon, one must not forget to mention the ethereal modernity of this mosaic stained which contribute to the overall interest and futurism inside the Park.
Ps: If you’re planning your visit to Park Guell, make sure to touch the famous lizard, it is said to bring luck!
Have you ever been to Park Guell?
In one word, how you describe your experience? Share your thoughts in the comment box below!
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Park Guell + Sagrada Familia
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Park Güell
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The uniqueness of Park Güell in Barcelona
Amazing and unique, Park Güell is best suited to be called the “soul of Barcelona”. There are many reasons why this mysterious and unusual art zone could appear only here. After all, Barcelona is a city of expression, a borderline psychological state, in which a fiery temperament and a special, southern melancholy coexist.
What this leads to, the world will understand only with the advent of Dali. In the meantime, at 19On the 14th, Gaudi undertook to embody the light version of surrealism. And, I must say, he succeeded – in 1984, Park Güell entered the UNESCO list.
Catalan magnate Eusebi Güell, fascinated by the talent of the great Gaudi, who made his dreams come true in the construction of a family palace, issues a new order to the architect. This time it is a new idea for Barcelona – to create a green residential area for wealthy gentlemen on the outskirts of the city in the image and likeness of the then popular English park areas.
It must be said that the very idea of creating a garden city on the outskirts of the Catalan capital was initially doomed to failure – both the distance to the benefits of civilization and the size of the site were too great. The 17-hectare zone was divided into more than 60 properties, and only 2 of them were sold. Thus, from a business point of view, the idea failed miserably.
However, Gaudi was little interested in the entrepreneurial side of the issue: he was inspired by the unique opportunity to realize his old dream – to combine the perfection of the forms of Nature and the architectural creations of human hands. The degree of success of this plan today is evidenced by the popularity of Park Güell among tourists from all over the world – and at the same time the sympathy for this place of Gaudi himself, who bought one of the houses built here and lived in it until 1925.
The history of the creation of Park Güell can be divided into several stages. In total, construction and related work took 14 years.
- Preparatory stage. Before proceeding with the construction, it was necessary to strengthen the slopes of the hill, on which it was supposed to build buildings.
- Infrastructural stage – an internal road was laid, the walls of the complex and an elegant entrance complex were equipped. In addition, one of the residential buildings was built – as a model, which was shown to future buyers.
- The final stage is the improvement of the park itself, the construction of an esplanade, stairs and a residential area in which six dozen mansions were to be built.
However, of all the works, only the part related to the arrangement of the park was completed. Only two houses were built – and both were not designed by Gaudí himself.
There was a unique situation: a huge area, already marked out for houses, was empty, while from a design point of view the landscape was already prepared to receive new residents. As a result, the uninhabited area was transferred to the Barcelona City Hall, which arranged a city park in it. Over time, it has become one of the most visited attractions in the Catalan capital – it is enough to visit here at least once to understand why.
Architectural features
As one would expect from Gaudí, the architect approached the park beautification outside the box, giving full freedom to his imagination.
Here are the main objects that attract attention in the Park Güell.
- Entrance area with “gingerbread”, unusual houses, as if descended from the pages of a fairy tale book. One of them was intended for the gatekeeper, the other (with a cross) – an administrative building.
- The central massive staircase leading to the “Hall of a Hundred Columns” is an art object, at the foot of which is the famous “Salamander” with multi-colored mosaic scales.
- “Hall of a Hundred Columns” – a failed market pavilion for a garden-city. The main feature is 87 (not one hundred) massive columns supporting the ceiling of the original form.
- The large terrace is the center of the entire architectural park ensemble, which is located just above the Hall. On it you can see the world-famous curved bench, decorated with a huge number of fragments of ceramic tiles and colored glass.
- The rest of the park ensemble is also very beautiful, which includes man-made galleries “built into” man-made walls, and the famous tiled facades, which have become a real signature style of the master.
Of course, one cannot fail to note the harmonious combination of all the buildings in the park with its natural beauty – there are birds singing, and a huge amount of greenery, and the fragrance of flowers.
Must see
Fortunately, especially for those who came to Park Güell for the first time, there is a stand at the entrance with a map of attractions located on it. At the same time, it is worth considering that the park itself is divided into two zones – “historical” and actually walking. Access to the second is free, you do not need to purchase a ticket.
In addition to the central architectural ensemble of the park with a market, a staircase and a terrace, the following places must be visited.
- Gaudí House. It was in it that he lived almost until his death – today there is a small museum in which you can see the original furniture designed by the architect himself. Entrance here is not free, you need to purchase a ticket.
