Park Güell Barcelona, Spain
Surely you have heard of Antoni Gaudi’s Park Güell. It is one of the most picturesque places in the Mediterranean city. Antoni Gaudí, the celebrated Catalan architect known for his unique modernist designs, left an indelible mark on Barcelona. Park Güell is one of his most emblematic creations, a testament to his boundless creativity and innovation. Located in the Gracia neighborhood, it is divided into two zones: the monumental zone, a World Heritage Site, and the wooded area. This colorful park is a harmonious blend of nature and architecture, a place where you can escape the hustle and bustle of the city and experience Gaudí’s brilliance firsthand.
Barcelona’s Park Güell was designed by Antoni Gaudí between 1900 – 1914, commissioned by Eusebi Güell. The original commission was to build a housing development for wealthy families on an estate of over 17 hectares popularly known as the Montaña Pelada (Bald Mountain). This urbanization had a series of very restrictive requirements such as only being able to build on one-sixth of the estate, the location and height could not obstruct any neighbor from the sun or the sea views, as well as the esplanade of Barcelona.
The name Park Güell came from the influence and the request to recreate the British residential parks that Eusebi Güell was so enthusiastic about. The construction of the park belongs to Gaudí’s naturalist stage, a period when he perfected his personal style with the inspiration of the organic forms of nature, where Casa Batlló also stands out as an example of this stage of maximum expression.
Construction began in 1900 and in 1914 with the outbreak of World War I, when after the difficulties the park had in selling the different properties, the work was stopped and completely abandoned.
There were only 2 houses built, one of them belonging to Eusebi Güell, who moved to live in his dreamed park in 1907.
Is Park Güell worth a visit?
Definitely yes, Park Güell is worth a visit because it is a unique example of Gaudí’s talent applied to an entire landscape, not just one building. This attraction offers not only the opportunity to see the impressive creations of the Catalan modernist architect but also the chance to enjoy 2 or 3 hours strolling through a beautiful natural setting in the heart of the city.
Let’s dive in and see the curiosities of Gaudi’s Park Güell…
Eusebi Güell commissioned Gaudí to create an urban oasis for wealthy families on a large estate he had acquired in the area known as Montaña Pelada. Güell was inspired by British residential parks and wanted to create something similar, so he called it Park Güell, using the English spelling of the word “park”.
Gaudí designed Park Güell to be a residential development.
The original plan was to use Park Güell as a modern housing development. It was not intended to be a park at all. Gaudí’s original vision involved the creation of a modern housing development to provide an escape from the pollution and chaos of the city. His plans included houses with modern conveniences, a market, a laundry, a church and a public square.
Gaudí, along with his father and niece, moved there in 1906. However, they only managed to sell two of the 60 planned plots: the one that housed the Gaudí House-Museum and the Trías house. With the outbreak of World War I and the lack of buyers, the project came to a standstill. The Barcelona City Council bought the park after the death of Eusebi Güell in 1918 and transformed it into a public park in 1926.
Park Güell is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
In 1969, Spain finally recognized Gaudi’s Park Güell as an important and historic site. They declared Park Güell a Monument of Cultural Interest for its architectural and artistic uniqueness. It took UNESCO another 15 years to declare it a World Heritage Site in 1984.
Later, in 2005, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization added six more of Gaudí’s buildings to the list: the Güell Palace, Casa Milá, Casa Vicens, Gaudí’s work on the Nativity façade and the crypt of the Sagrada Familia, Casa Batlló. and the crypt of the Colonia Güell.
This recognition emphasizes Gaudí’s exceptional contribution to the evolution of architecture and building techniques in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. UNESCO stresses that Gaudí’s legacy extends beyond architecture to include gardening, sculpture and the decorative arts.
Hall of a Hundred Columns… but there are 86?
The Sala Hipóstila is undoubtedly one of the most emblematic places in Park Güell. This corner of the park is also known as the “Hall of a Hundred Columns”, although this is not entirely accurate as there are only 86 columns.
The pillars of the hall support the upper esplanade, originally designed to function as a marketplace for the residents of this exclusive (and failed) real estate development. Unfortunately, it never served its intended purpose. However, it has now become a popular place to take photographs and is a testament to Gaudí’s inventive architectural style.
The inclined columns
Why are the exterior columns of Park Güell leaning? Gaudí’s own explanation sheds light on this mystery: “I was asked why he made leaning columns, to which I replied: ‘For the same reason that the tired walker, when he stops, leans on the leaning staff because if he put it upright, he would not rest.”
Gaudí’s house was not designed by Gaudí
Gaudí lived in one of the houses in the park for 21 years; curiously, however, he did not design it. His assistant, Francesc Berenguer, designed Gaudí’s house and built it between 1904 and 1906.
After Gaudí’s death, they sold the house and used the proceeds to build the Sagrada Familia, as Gaudí had indicated in his will. Initially, an Italian couple acquired the house. In 1963, the “Friends of Gaudí Association” bought the house and founded a museum dedicated to the architect’s legacy.
Trencadís: what is it?
Trencadís, a mosaic technique that combines ceramic fragments, is a hallmark of Gaudí’s work. In Park Güell, Gaudí used trencadís (the Catalan term for this union of ceramic fragments and tiles) to cover the curved surfaces of the park’s structures. In addition, he specifically used remnants from the Pujol i Bausis factory in Esplugues de Llobregat and fragments from other sources. This unique mosaic technique adds an explosion of color and vitality to the park’s designs.
Is it a salamander or a dragon?
Some say it’s a salamander, while others argue that it’s actually a dragon. But who really knows? Some believe it is a dragon, symbolizing the famous dragon of Sant Jordi, the patron saint of Catalonia. On the other hand, others argue that it could be an alchemical salamander, meaning fire. This would not be surprising, as Guadí drew on mythological influences when building the park, particularly from the Temple of Apollo at Delphi. Regardless of the debate, one fact is undeniable: it is one of the favorite places for tourists to take pictures in Barcelona.
Is Park Güell free?
Park Güell is not free. It is only free for residents in the area and accredited citizens of Barcelona. For tourist visits it is necessary to purchase a ticket.
Although Park Güell is free for residents throughout the day, the Monumental Zone of Park Güell requires a ticket for anyone who is not a local.
Park Güell ticket prices
- General admission 10€.
- Children from 7 to 12 years old 7€.
- Children from 0 to 6 years old 0€ 0
We advise you to buy your ticket in advance. Despite this, Park Güell has free spaces that you can visit, especially the exteriors of the area with all the Gaudinian architecture. The views of the city are unique, perhaps one of the most used photos to illustrate Gaudi’s Barcelona.
Park Guëll Skip the Line Entry tickets are included FREE with the Barcelona City Pass. If you are also interested in visiting the Sagrada Familia and sightseeing, you may prefer to book the Barcelona City Pass, which includes:
- skip the line tickets for the monumental area of Park Guëll,
- skip-the-line tickets for the Sagrada Familia,
- audio guides to visit the Park Guëll, which you would not get if you buy your Park Guëll tickets without the Barcelona City Pass,
- audio guides to visit the Sagrada Familia,
- 24-hour tickets for the Barcelona Hop-On-Hop Off double-decker bus,
- a 10% discount coupon to use on your next ticket or tour booking in Barcelona.
You can buy your Barcelona City Pass here
Opening hours of Park Güell
Park Güell is open every day of the year.
from 9:30 am to 7:30 pm (from 10/29/2023, 5:30 pm).
Tourist visits are not allowed in the following time slotsq
“BON DIA BARCELONA from 7:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
“BON VESPRE BARCELONA” : FROM 8:00 P.M. TO 10:00 P.M. from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm (from 10/29/2023, from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm).
More info official website
How to get to Park Güell?
You can get there from Line 3 (Green) getting off at Lesspes or Vallcarca stops and from there walk for about 20 minutes to the main entrance located on Larrard street. Or the bus lines, H6, D40, D24 and V19. Or getting off at the “Park Güell” stop of the green route of the Tourist Bus.
Practical tips for your visit to Park Güell
Now that you have an idea of what Park Güell has to offer, here are some practical tips for your visit:
- Buy tickets in advance : Given the popularity of the park, it is advisable to book tickets online in advance to avoid long lines.ç
- Visit early or late : to enjoy the park with fewer people, consider visiting early in the morning or later in the afternoon.
- Wear comfortable shoes : you will be walking quite a bit on uneven paths, so comfortable shoes are a must.
- Respect the environment : remember that Park Güell is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so be respectful of the environment, avoid littering and do not touch or deface the works of art.
- Take your time : this park is a work of art and should be savored. Take your time to explore its nooks and crannies and get lost in Gaudi’s wonderful world.
Antoni Gaudi’s Park Güell is a testament to human creativity and the beauty that can be achieved when architecture and nature coexist in perfect harmony. So, when in Barcelona, be sure to include this beautiful and historic park in your itinerary.
TIP. If you want to see a jewel of Catalan modernism be sure to visit the Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau.
Do you want to visit Park Güell? Come and join us.
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