Gaudí’s unique park complex, Park Güell, shows Gaudí’s love for nature in this fascinating and intriguing park in Barcelona.
Park Güell Gaudí Barcelona built by Antoni Gaudí from 1900 to 1914 in the Gràcia district of Barcelona and opened in 1926. A visit to this park is probably among the 5 most important sights you must see in Barcelona. One reason is there simply is nothing like Park Güell, and another reason is its history and association with Antoni Gaudí.
The park is known for an artistic explosion of all of Gaudís influences created into one urban space. Park Güell also features Gaudí House Museum, which has a collection of some furniture and objects designed by Gaudí and was also his home for almost 20 years.
Park Güell is one of Gaudí’s most popular visitor attractions, along with the Sagrada Família. Tickets may be sold out due to the high demand for visiting this unique park.
What Makes Park Güell So Popular With Visitors?
The project was based on an idea by Eusebi Güell a close friend of Antoni Gaudi, to build an urban park with residential houses. The idea of making the park an urbanization was not successful. Only two houses were built, not one was sold, neither house was actually designed by Gaudí. The current popularity of the park is as an urban garden, featuring many constructions and features by Gaudi within the park.
The reason Park Güell has become so popular, is that Antoni Gaudí has also become hugely popular lately. Furthermore, the fact that you can view Gaudis creative additions to the park while enjoying its massive 12 hectares of space away from the hectic life of the city. Besides, some of Gaudí’s works that have been constructed in the park are so unique, you simply won’t see anything else like them. You can also visit the actual house that Gaudí once lived in, as it is now a museum. Inside, you will also discover furniture designed by Gaudí as well as other unique exhibits.
There are many Gaudí works of art, including the following, that you must see when visiting Park Güell –
- The Dragon Fountain – A unique mosaic sculpture of a dragon that you will find at the entrance of the park. The dragon you will find in between the stairs and also serves as a decorative fountain. It has since become an iconic symbol of Barcelona.
- The Terrace Area – A great space with the famous waving coloured serpentine mosaic wall / seat that you see featured so much in photos. A great place to enjoy a view of Park Güell and Barcelona.
- Austria Gardens – An area with a different contrast to the rest of the park. This part of park Güell features many interesting structures of balconies, stones, and columns.
- Gaudí Museum – Visit the actual house that Antoni Gaudí lived during the final years of his life. Now preserved as a museum, featuring many interesting Gaudí items.
- The Calvary – A small, almost medieval castle ruin, that features three crosses. This building, designed by Gaudí, and as always, Gaudí liked to include religion in his projects.
- The Hypostyle Room – A room with over 80 beautiful columns that were inspired by the Doric Order. The roof will astound you with the clay domes and tiled mosaics. The Hypostyle Room is quite a spiritual part of the park.
- Laundry Room Portico – Influences of waves of the sea and constructed with stone. A great example of Guadí’s blend with nature and practicality. The main pillars of the Laundry Room Portico support the road above.
The great thing about Park Güell Gaudí Barcelona is that there is so much to see, even small details become quite fascinating. People with a keen eye might be able to spot over 400 dragons within the park. Gaudí used the dragon within several projects, including the famous iron Dragon’s Gate. Park Güell is another example of Anonti Gaudí’s influence from nature and blends on perfectly within this urban space in the heart of Barcelona.
How To Get To Park Güell Gaudí Barcelona
You can visit Park Güell by metro line 3, arriving at the following stations, Lessops or Vallcarca. Park Güell is about 15 or 20 minutes walk. You can catch the following buses H6 or D40, this will take about 10 minutes walk to the park. Arriving by taxi may be the best option if you have the budget to do so. There are no spaces to park near Park Güell, so think carefully if you attempt to arrive by car.
