Park Guell

Park Güell is located on Carmel Hill. The construction lasted for 14 years, from 1900 to 1914, and it was officially opened to public in 1926. Gaudi’s design was inspired by English gardens, but he adjusted it to his distinguishable style. This park consists of many various mosaics that dominate the space. At the park’s entrance there are two small houses designed in Gaudi’s typical style. When you pass the gate, you will come to stairs that lead to a terrace above the stairs. At the stairs, there is the guardian of the park – a dragon sculpture plated with ceramic tiles. The dragon symbolizes Python, the guardian of subterranean waters.

In this way, Gaudi wanted to present a tank for collection rainfall that stays behind the sculpture. Collected rainfall was used for watering the park, where there was no source of water.
 
The terrace above the stairs offers a magnificent view of the park and a large part of the city. At the terrace, there is a serpent-like bench. Looking at the bench, you may think it is yet another Gaudi’s work, but this one belongs to his associate, Josep Jujol, who worked with him on projects such as Casa Mila.

Ticket price for the park
Regular ticket price € 8.50
for children from 7 to 12 years 6 €
for children from 6 years old the entrance is free.
It is best to buy a ticket online a few days before going to the park.

Six interesting facts about Guell Park There is a popular anecdote when Antonio Gaudi told Guell: “Sometimes I think that we are the only two people who like this architecture”, and Guell responded: “I do not like your architecture, I respect it”.
 
Pottery in Guell Park is very colourful, architecture is unsual, and yet it is one of the best known symbols of Barcelona, and one of the most famous parks in the world. It is known for its colourful tones, for livery colours and curve lines.
 

1. Seven Gaudi’s works under the protection of UNESCO – all of them are located in the park.
2. Before the park was constructed on the hill where it is located now, there was a space with few trees and a lot of stones and rocks. Gaudi was inspired by English royal gardens, and he wanted to design a city district for the rich. Thankfully, his plan was not realized, and more beautiful park open for public came to be.
3. Gaudi lived and worked in a house located in the park until 1926, when he tragically died. Namely, he gave in to a modest lifestyle, he stopped drinking, he looked more like a beggar than a renowned architect, he even stopped shaving. He died when he was 73, when a tram hit him while he was on his way to the church.
4. There are no straight lines in the park. They all follow trees and resemble a play between trees and houses.
5. Part of the park called “Austrian gardens” came to be in 1977 because Austria had donated some of the plants for the park.

Eusebi Guell was a Spanish businessman who helped Gaudi and funded the construction of the park. Gaudi decide to name the park after him – Guell Park.

Author of the article::

Ana Lazarević - our correspondent for the city of Barcelona
Contact: [email protected]