Barcelona tours: Citadel Park, a virtual tour

This is our Barcelona Tours section. Here you can take a virtual photographic tour of Barcelona, enjoy the Barcelona pictures and learn about an interesting aspect of the city or the region of Catalonia. We will spotlight a new Barcelona tour frequently throughout the year, so be sure to visit often.

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Visit the previous Barcelona Tour page: Fiesta Major de Grácia, the definitive Barcelona Festival.

Barcelona tours: Citadel park, a virtual tour-barcelona pictures. This group of young men are enjoying a day at the park, pedalling their way through the wide trails. This group of young men are enjoying a day at the Citadel park, pedalling their way through the wide trails.

Barcelona tours: Citadel park, a virtual tour-barcelona pictures. This pond and its elegant statue are in front of the Parlament building. This pond and its elegant statue are in front of the Parliament building.

Barcelona tours: Citadel park, a virtual tour-barcelona pictures. This modernist building houses the Zoological museum. This modernist building houses the Zoological Museum.

Barcelona tours: Citadel park, a virtual tour-barcelona pictures. One of the Griffins, that are a part of the central fountain, shoots a stream of water. One of the Griffins, that form part of the central fountain, shoots a stream of water.

Barcelona tours: Citadel park, a virtual tour-barcelona pictures. Visit the Barcelona Zoo. Visit the Barcelona Zoo.

Citadel Park: a virtual tour

Images and Text byGaston Magrinat. Click on any image for a larger version.

Soon after Barcelona surrendered to the Bourbon Empire in 1714 and became a part of modern Spain under the rule of Felipe V, the building of the ciutadella (citadel) began. Within five years this large fortress occupying 150 acres and with the ability to launch a cannon ball to any part of the city was completed. It and its walls became a hated symbol of Bourbon rule for the Catalan people until it was finally destroyed 150 years later in order to create what is today the Parc de La Ciutadella, developed as the site of the World Exposition of 1888.

The Citadel park was designed by the Catalan architect Josep Fontseré i Mestres (1829-97) who subscribed to the maxim that “Gardens are to the city what lungs are to a man”. The park was to be the embodiment of the renaissance of Catalonia erected over the remains of the hated symbol of Bourbon rule, the citadel and its walls. A public space with ponds and ornamental fountains, a winter garden, a zoology and geology museums, a shade house, a zoo and honorary statues of the great men of Catalonia all make the park a great way to spend a lazy afternoon.

Fontseré succeeded in his endeavor and today the Citadel park is one of Barcelona’s most popular public spaces. For both locals and visitors, the park offers an escape into a peaceful world. During the spring, summer and fall months you can enjoy the many sights that the Citadel park offers. A great place to bring the family or simply take a walk along the many paths that zigzag through the park.

Some interesting things to do while in the Citadel park include visiting the zoo, renting a bike, taking a boat on the pond, seeing the zoological museum with its dinosaur remains, taking in the shade gardens, enjoying the fountains, joining a drum circle, having a picnic lunch (bocatas are always nice) or just finding an agreeable spot, kicking back and enjoying a quiet moment. The Citadel park is open all year round.

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Barcelona tours: Citadel park, a virtual tour-barcelona pictures. There are many quiet places to sit and take a moment to relax, read or even take a siesta. There are many quiet places to sit and take a moment to relax, read or even take a siesta.

Barcelona tours: Citadel park, a virtual tour-barcelona pictures. A view of the pond. Have a seat and enjoy its placid waters. A view of the pond. Take a seat and enjoy its placid waters.

Barcelona tours: Citadel park, a virtual tour-barcelona pictures. Under this lovely building one can walk amongst a shaded garden. This is one of the Citidel Fort's original chapels.

Barcelona tours: Citadel park, a virtual tour-barcelona pictures. A delightful way to take in the park. Row your boat amongst the cypress trees. A delightful way to take in the park. Row your boat amongst the cypress trees.

Barcelona tours: Citadel park, a virtual tour-barcelona pictures. People walking down the main walkway. The Arc the triumph is just up ahead through the main entrance. Along the main walkway. The Arc de Triumph is just up ahead through the main entrance.