Parc de la Ciutadella in Barcelona
The Parc de la Ciutadella is very idyllic and probably the greenest oasis in the megacity of Barcelona. It invites you to relax, to rebound and to go for long walks, as well as for a picnic. You can also use a rowing boat on the lake.
On the grounds of the Parc de la Ciutadella, there are several attractions: the zoo, the Catalan Parliament. The Museu d’Art Modern is situated in the building of the parliament. The Zoological Museum and the Museu de Geologia are placed in the area of the park.
In 1714, after the successful war at the time of Felip V., a citadel was placed on this ground. To build this fortress, Felip V. pulled away a considerable part of the quarter Ribera.
Therewith, the Bourbon king wanted to put the people under his control. La Ciutadella represented everything that the Catalans hated: the Bourbons and the central government in Madrid. Later, the Citadel was converted into a prison – mostly for political prisoners.
At the north-western entrance of the Parc de la Cuitadella, at the Passeig de Pujades, one will find a equestrian statue of General Prim, who gave the order for sanding the citadel in 1869.
The 1869 warrant for the grinding of Zidadelle existed. In 1998, the World Exhibition was placed here.
The park was designed under the command of Josep Fontsère, the young and then unknown architect Antoni Gaudí supported him with the design of the waterfall “Cascada. Gaudí immortalised himself on the fountain, which stands by the lake. The water basin in front of fountain is guarded by winged dragons, a figure quite commonly found in his work.
The Parlament de Catalunya can be vistited on the first Friday of the month with a guided tour (in Catalan). Similarly, the building is open to visitors on 11th September (the Catalan national holiday) and 12 th September. In the parliament building, the Museu d’Art Modern has got its place.
Many of the Modernism buildings are still preserved, but a little more attention to them and care would do well.
Four very remarkable buildings are located on the side of Passeig de Picasso, the southwestern side of the Parc de la Ciutadella.
Castell dels Tres Dragons (Castle of the three Dragon)
The northernmost of the buildings, the Castell dels Tres Dragons (Castle of the three dragons), houses the Zoological Museum. The brick house is an example of early Modernism. The building was built in 1887 by architect Lluis Domènech i Montaner, one of the leading representatives of the Catalan Art Nouveau. Since 1920 it houses the Zoological Museum. The Castell dels Tres Dragon is a good example that the performance of Modernism in particular consisted of to combine different styles and techniques. The construction with bricks and bearing steal elements was inspired by the then very famous Amsterdam Stock Exchange. The towers and battlements are reminiscent of the Moorish style. The art to decorate building facades with ceramics, was revived and became an important technique of Modernism.
Hivernacle
Right next to the Castell dels Tres Dragons the winter garden “L’Hivernacle” is located. The winter garden is a pavilion made of cast iron and glass. The architect was Josep Amargós. In the summer is a particularly nice café. There are also several jazz concerts. The plan had the building Amargós in 1884, at a time when the architecture had the steel and glass constructions by Eiffel as a model. The Hivernacle is still attributed to the Modernisme. The building was inaugurated in 1888 to the World Exposition.
Geological Museum
The Hivernacle located next to the building of the Geological Museum, built in 1882 by Antoni Rovira i Trias in neo-classical style. The construction of the museum was made possible by a donation from Francesc Martorell Peña. It was the first museum in Barcelona and it has today a large collection of minerals.
Umbracle – Tropical greenhouse for shade-loving plants
The Umbracle is a wood-brick construction.
In it grow large tropical plants, which prefer the shadow of the great virgin forests. Although this building needs an urgent rehabilitation, but it offers a very impressive atmosphere in the interior. The architect was also Amargós, finished to the World Exposition in 1888.
Here you find the buildings on the map of the park, and here is the park on the city map.
Also on the grounds of the Parc de la Cuitadella is the Zoo of Barcelona.
Our tip: If you take the subway to the Parc de la Ciutadella , take the line L1 to station Arc de Triomf. Pass through the Arc de Triomf and head for the car-free Passeig de Lluis Companys directly to the main entrance.
You will get 20 % discount on entry price of the zoo with the Barcelona Card.
Parc de la Ciutadella (Park in Barcelona)
Barcelona / Parc de la Ciutadella
Visit the Ciutadella Park Barcelona with the cascada and zoo
Visit Parc de la Ciutadella in Barcelona with the cascada and Barcelona Zoo.
One of the most beautiful free parks in Barcelona, the Ciutadella Park from the 1888 World Fair.
Info & Tickets Parc de la Ciutadella |
|
| Address | Pg Picasso, 21 Barcelona |
| Metro | To get to the Ciutadella park, you can take Metro L1 to Arc de Triomf or Metro L4 to Ciutudella – Villa Olimpica (or station Jaume I, if you want to see a bit of the El Born district on foot). From Arc de Triomf, you can enjoy a nice walk under the giant palm trees. |
| Tickets | You can visit the park for free, so no tickets are needed |
The Parc de la Ciutadella is Barcelona’s largest park and very popular among the city’s residents. The Parc de la Ciutadella dates back to 1888 and features a historic waterfall, a pond, and a romantic English garden, surrounded by two boulevards lined with trees.
The area is also home to various museums and the Barcelona Zoo.
History of Ciutadella Park
The Parc de la Ciutadella has a long history. It was originally a fort, designed in the shape of a star by Prosper Verboom in 1715, for then King Philip V. The citadel was built to be used by his army in the fight against the queens of House Bourbon. After a siege lasting 18 months, the fort finally fell and became a prison in the time of Napoleon. In 1888 the park was used as the site for the Word Fair. Many buildings were built in the Ciutadella Park at that time.
The park in the El Born is a fifteen-minute walk from the Barri Gòtic. It is a haven of tranquillity in the middle of the bustling city, offering lots of green, pathways, and playgrounds for children. It has an area of 30 hectares, and the gardens were designed by the French landscape architect Jean Forestier. They are spread out around a number of fountains which were in part designed by Antoni Gaudí.
Things to see in Parc de la Ciutadella
In the Barcelona Ciutadella park there are not only gardens and greenhouses, but also:
The ‘Arc de Triomf’ of Barcelona, the old entrance gate of the World Fair.
The zoo of Barcelona, Parc Zoologic de Barcelona
The Hivernacle, or the greenhouses in the style of Catalan Modernism.
Font de la Cascada del Parc de la Ciutadella, the famous monument with waterfall and fountain that was built for the world exhibition of 1888.
The Parliament of Catalonia: open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays and public holidays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The mammoth in the middle of the citadel park of Barcelona.
The pond of the citadel park where you can rent a boat.
The park’s music tent.
Castell dels Tres Dragons.
Location of the Ciutadella park in Barcelona
Near the park are:
Arc de Triomf
Picasso Museum
Cathedral of Barcelona
MEAM
Our readers say
4.
8
(95.83%) 13
reviews
February 28, 2023
Michael: “We had an amazing trip to Barcelona city because of the interesting local tips for sightseeing, activities and best things to do in Barcelona Spain.”
Park Güell
Barcelona things to do
Magic Fountain
Sagrada Familia
Picasso Museum
Camp Nou
Montjuïc
Casa Mila
Casa Batllo
Parque Ciutadella: an oasis in the center of Barcelona
Strikingly spectacular Ciutadella Park is located in the Old Town and covers about 30 hectares. This oasis in the center of the metropolis is a favorite place for walks of the city’s residents and one of the best parks in Barcelona. The parks of Barcelona are the decoration of the city, each has its own history and is attractive for tourists and Barcelona residents.
Parc de la Ciutadella in Barcelona is associated with the events of the 18th century, when a very powerful fortress first appeared in this place, restricting too freedom-loving Spaniards, and a century later the Catalans symbolically changed the purpose of this place.
Parc de la Ciutadella has been turned into a corner of paradise by the efforts of the people of Barcelona, it has been decorated:
- flower gardens
- terraces
- waterfalls
The Ciutadella Park was designed by the city’s most famous and talented architects: Antoni Gaudí and Luis Domènech y Montanera, who did their best to make this place no longer have memories of the dark past.
They created a wonderful fountain of incredible size “Cascade”, made in the baroque style and a stunning “Castle of the Three Dragons”. Their work has not been lost – Parc de la Ciutadella has changed, harmoniously blended into the city, and everything that is located on its territory evokes incredible emotions among both Barcelona residents and guests of the city.
Why Citadel Park is so remarkable
The amazing park is literally filled with various sculptures and monuments, almost a real open-air museum. In 1951, this Barcelona park was awarded the title of historical monument. Among the parks of Barcelona, he took a worthy place.
Brilliant architects have thought of everything, to the smallest detail, in the Citadel Park and left a small part of the historical past of this place, here is:
- old military chapel
- Governor’s Palace
- arsenal
The buildings have changed their purpose, now the latter two are located respectively – the School-Institute of the Government of Catalonia and the seat of the Parliament of Catalonia.
For the World Exhibition of 1888, changes were made in the Citadel Park, which have survived to this day, the premises reserved for exhibition expositions became a place for a botanical garden and greenhouses.
This park in Barcelona invites you to walk along its luxurious shady alleys. The lake, located on the territory of the park, is a favorite vacation spot for many citizens who want to take a boat trip on the water surface. You can ride a bike in the Citadel Park, you can enjoy walking, or you can just sit on a bench, tired of the hustle and bustle of the metropolis.
In the Citadel Park there was also a place for a zoo, a favorite place for recreation.
Attractions Parc de la Ciutadella
1Cascade Fountain
The northern part of the Citadel Park will undoubtedly interest you because of the presence of a monumental fountain – the Cascada. It was created in 1875-1888 by Josep Fontsére with the help of the young Antoni Gaudí.
The fountain is externally made in the form of a triumphal arch, the center of which is the figure of Venus riding on a shell. Venus is surrounded by numerous figures of mythical animals and sea creatures. A bronze sculpture of Aurora crowns the stone structure.
2Zoological Museum or Castle of the Three Dragons
The Castle of the Three Dragons (Castell dels Tres Dragons) was conceived and used as a restaurant. He appeared in the Citadel Park for the World Exhibition, after which he was supposed to disappear, but they did not demolish the building, but repurposed it into the Zoological Museum. The building is currently under renovation.
3Museum of Geology
This park in Barcelona houses the city’s first public museum, founded in 1882, called the Museum of Archeology and Natural Sciences.
The Museum of Geology was founded thanks to Francisco Martorello, who donated his collection of geological and archaeological finds, as well as his personal library, to the city.
Later, only the geological part of the collection remained in this building. Therefore, the museum was renamed the Geological Museum.
Opening hours of the Museum of Geology:
- from Tuesday to Saturday 10:00 – 18:30
- Sunday 10:00 – 14:30
- Monday – non-working day
A visit to this museum costs 3.70 for an adult.
4Zoo in Citadel Park
The southern part of Barcelona’s park will please you with the presence of a zoo. One of the best European zoos appeared here after the World Exhibition. A rich collection distinguishes the Barcelona Zoo from similar ones in other parts of the country. You can walk around the zoo all day long, there are all conditions for this.
You can get to the zoo:
- from 1 January to 29 March 10:00 – 17:30
- from March 30 to May 15 10:00 – 19:00
- from May 16 to September 15 (June 6, 2014) 10:00 – 20:00 (10:00 – 18:30)
- from September 16 to October 25 10:00 – 19:00
- from October 26 to December 31 10:00 – 17:30
- December 25 10:00 – 14:00
Entrance ticket price: an adult visit will cost 21.
40€, children under three years old are free, and from 3 to 12 for 12.95€.
You can purchase tickets online at the link on the official ticket platform.
5Catalan Parliament Building
Parliament building of Catalonia. The former arsenal has become a significant place in the city, the building is decorated with the sculpture “Despair”.
You will not be able to pass by this building, the former arsenal is located in the center of the Ciutadella Park. It was designed by the architect and military engineer Prospero de Verbum. The original architecture of the palace is almost completely preserved from 1748.
The building was partly given over to the Museum of Modern Art, but since 2004 the expositions have moved to Montjuic, to the National Museum.
6 Arc de Triomphe
Another object erected for the World Exhibition was the Arc de Triomphe, which turned the entrance to the event into a solemn event.
For this reason, it is located outside the Ciutadella Park, at the top of Louis Compagnas Avenue.
How to get to Citadel Park
There are 2 ways to get there:
- take metro L4 to Ciutadella / Vila Olímpica
- tram T4 to Wellington stop
How Barcelona Ciutadella Park works
Barcelona Park is open every day from 10:00 am to sunset (depending on the season).
The favorable location makes Ciutadella Park one of the most attractive parks in Barcelona.
- How to avoid queues at Barcelona attractions. Tickets for Sagrada Familia and Park Güell bypassing the queue.
- How not to be deceived by local taxi drivers. Order a taxi in advance with fixed rates online. The most reliable service for ordering a taxi is KiwiTaxi .
-
Excursions in Barcelona with locals will help you to get to know this city for real. The best way to get comfortable in an unfamiliar city is to walk around it with a person who has lived here for many years.
- We advise you to take out travel insurance so that there are no unpleasant surprises while traveling to Barcelona.
- Barcelona City Pass is a one-stop card that makes organizing your holiday in Barcelona easier and saves a lot of time and money.
- Hotels in Barcelona: is our selection and recommendations.
- Bus Turistic is a tourist bus and a great way to get to all the necessary monuments of Barcelona quickly, with a breeze and comfort.
- Drimsim is a universal international SIM card and a free travel application. Best prices, fast internet and worldwide calls.
Citadel Park
Home / /
/
/
Mikhail Schwartz
19
Citadels is an excellent park with its own history. There are several attractions, a zoo and a pond with ducks.
It is good to take a walk, ride a boat or have a picnic on the grass.
Parque de la Ciutadella (photo: Ping & Wenji) buildings on an area of 30 hectares. It is located in the Old City. This place fascinates tourists, and for the inhabitants of the Catalan capital is a symbol of freedom.
The history of the park began in the 18th century, when a powerful fortress was erected here by order of Philip V in order to suppress the freedom-loving inhabitants. Only a century later, the Catalans were able to get rid of the formidable building of the occupation regime. In its place, a park with terraces, flower beds, waterfalls and monuments was arranged.
Famous architects Luis Domènech y Montaner and Antonio Gaudí participated in the creation of the park. The results of their work are the huge baroque Cascade fountain and the amazing Castle of the Three Dragons. Skilled craftsmen have created a unique world of fauna and flora, which harmoniously fit into the urban framework.
What to see in Parc de la Ciutadella?
Due to the large number of sculptures and architectural structures, the park is called an open-air museum. Since 1951, it has acquired the status of a historical monument.
Palace of the Governor, 18th century (photo: stuehmeierrolf)
Only the military chapel, the palace of the Governor (now the School-Institute of the Government of Catalonia) and the armory, which is currently the seat of the Parliament of Catalonia, have survived from the original 18th century fort in the Ciutadella Park .
L`UMBRACLE – a mini botanical garden (photo: Alonso Fidalgo)
L’Hivernacle – a small greenhouse (photo: Jerome Bautru)
Many buildings in the park are left over from the 1888 World Exhibition. Some of them house museums, some of the buildings are used by the zoo, others are converted into greenhouses and botanical gardens.
Lake in the Ciutadella Park (photo: Wessel Bloem)
In the Parc de la Ciutadella, visitors can walk along the luxurious shady alleys, go boating on the water surface of the lake, take a bike ride, see the architecture or just enjoy the silence.
You can see rare species of animals in a beautiful zoo.
Cascade Fountain
Cascade Fountain (photo: Viktoria Wickzen)
In the northernmost part of the park, next to Passeig de les Pujades, there is a monumental fountain – Cascada. It was created in 1875-1888 by Josep Fontsére with the help of the young Antoni Gaudí.
The fountain itself is made in the form of a triumphal arch. The main figure of the whole composition is the sculpture of Venus, riding on the shell. Around it are numerous mythical and sea creatures. From above, the stone structure is decorated with a bronze sculpture: the goddess of the Dawn (Aurora), driving a chariot with four harnessed horses.
Zoological Museum or Castle of the Three Dragons
Castle of the Three Dragons (Castell dels Tres Dragons) (photo: Anne Helmond)
The Castle of the Three Dragons (Castell dels Tres Dragons) was built for the 1888 World’s Fair and was used as a restaurant. After the end of the exhibition, the building was planned to be demolished.
However, this did not happen. In 1920, the Museum of Natural History opened in it the Laboratory of Nature (Laboratori de Natura) with a zoological collection. The exposition presents the skeletons of various mammals and fish, stuffed animals, a collection of insects and much more.
The museum is currently under reconstruction.
Martorell Museum
Museum of Geology (Museu de Geologia) (photo: Secció Natura UES)
The city’s first public museum is the Museum of Archeology and Natural Sciences (Museo Martorell de Arqueología y Ciencias Naturales). It was opened in 1882. Its founder was Francisco Martorello, who donated to the city his collection of geological and archaeological finds, as well as his personal library.
Since 1924, only the collection of geology has remained in the museum. Today it is called the Martorell Museum (Museu Martorell).
The museum is temporarily closed due to reconstruction.
Zoo
Entrance to the Zoo (photo: Marcelo N.)
The Barcelona City Zoo is located in the southern part of Ciutadella Park. He appeared here in 1892, after the end of the World Exhibition. Today the zoo has one of the most significant collections of animals in Europe. The zoo has everything you need so that you can walk around it all day, watching its inhabitants.
Zoo opening hours:
Daily from 10:00 to 18:00.
Admission price:
| adult | € 19.25 |
| children aged 3 to 12 | € 11.65 |
Entrance ticket price:
Parliament of Catalonia
Parliament of Catalonia. In the foreground is the famous Despair (Desconsol) sculpture (photo: Pere Casafont Clotet)
Almost in the center of Ciutadella Park, in the former arsenal of the fort, is the seat of the Parliament of Catalonia. The building was designed by architect and military engineer Prospero de Verboom.
The original architecture of the palace is almost completely preserved from 1748.
Until 2004, part of the Parliament building was occupied by the Museum of Modern Art (Museo de arte contemporáneo). Now he has moved to Montjuic, to the building of the National Art Museum of Catalonia.
Arc de Triomphe
Arc de Triomphe (Arco del Triunfo) (photo: W.i.m.)
Another object erected for the 1888 exhibition was the Arc de Triomphe (Arco del Triunfo). It was used as the main entrance to this solemn event, and therefore it is located outside the Ciutadella Park, at the top of Passeig de Lluís Companys.
Opening hours Ciutadella Park
The park is open every day from 10:00 am to sunset (depending on the season).
How to get to Ciutadella Park?
Take the L4 metro to Ciutadella / Vila Olímpica or the T4 tram to the Wellington stop.
Ciutadella Park
Parc de la Ciutadella
Passeig de Picasso, 21 08003 Barcelona
GPS: 41.