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Antoni Gaudí's Park Güell
Antoni Gaudí's Park Güell: Making Nature a Mosaic
Antoni Gaudí’s Park Güell is an excellent place to visit as it provides a spectacular view of the city. From its walkways you can see Barcelona stretching out below, until it suddenly melts into the Mediterranean.
Park Guell History
Antoni Gaudí’s Park Güell covers 15 hectares on a hillside overlooking the city.
Previously occupied by Can Muntaner de Dalt, the site was acquired in 1899 by Eusebi Güell, who planned to create a “Garden City” in accordance with the most advanced town planning ideas current in Europe at that time.
The residential development, designed for the affluent, was to have an open market, roads, and other amenities. Antoni Gaudí, a close friend of Güell, was commissioned to build this “Garden City”. He worked on the project from 1900 to 1914, when it was abandoned owing to financial difficulties.
Barcelona’s City Council acquired the property in 1918 and in 1923, just 3 years before Antoni Gaudí’s death, made it a public park. In 1984, UNESCO declared Park Güell a World Heritage Site.
Park Guell Highlights
The Park Güell dragon, Barcelona’s unofficial mascot, welcomes visitors near the entrance to the park.
Blanketed in mosaic, the dragon slinks down the staircase on which he is positioned. If you get a chance, take a picture with him; it’s truly an iconic Barcelona Experience.
The dragon’s staircase gives way to an open, columned space called the “Nature Square.” It is here that classic columns support a ceiling covered in soothing taupe mosaic with bursts of colored discs featuring bright blues.
The Carob’s viaduct splits off to the left of the Nature Square, luring you into its walkway. Colums hold up the slanted, low-slung ceiling as light alternates with shadow in this popular photo spot.
Walkways on both sides of the square lead up to an open space on top of the square. Visitors like to pass the time in this plaza-like location taking photos, eating lunch or admiring the amazing views of Barcelona and the Mediterranean Sea.
Trails and stairs lead farther up the park, where trees dominate the landscape. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch some of Barcelona’s street performers wowing the crowds with their talent.
Interesting Facts About Gaudi's Park Guell
- The park originally was intended to be an urban community where residents could purchase a plot of land and a build a home to their liking.
- Only one plot was ever purchased.
- Before Gaudís project, Park Guell was a dry, dusty brown chunk of land without much greenery.
- Antoni Gaudi lived at Park Guell in what was the model home built to illustrate the potential of such a wonderful park.
Images of Park Guell
The main entrance to Park Guell.
One of the set of steps that lead up to the main plaza of Park Guell.
A closer look at the steps leading to the main plaza of the park.
A father and daughter enjoy exploring Gaudi's Park Guell.
Gaudi incorporated many practical items such as this bench on the park grounds for residents to enjoy.
A close look at this iron wrought gate and its decorative elements.
A visitor gets a picture of the famous park "dragon".
The famous Park Guell bench..
Visitors relaxing on perhaps one of the most unique park benches in the world.
Looking beyond the horizon that lies just past the two main gate houses at the main entrance to the park.
One of the "gate houses" meant to be used for administrative purposes.
A closer look at the roof of this "gate house".
The other of the "gate houses" located at the main entrance to Park Guell.
Visitors enjoy wandering the halls of this colorful gate house.
Park Guell Hours & Contact Information
Opening Hours for Park Guell are:
| Date | Opening Times |
| Daily | 8 a.m. to 9 p.m |
| Please Note | Tickets are required to enter the park. |
Location & contact information:
- Carrer d’Olot, 08024
- You can take the green metro line to the “Lesseps” stop. It is a 20-30 minute mostly uphill walk from there.
- Telephone: +34 902 200 302
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