Park Güell is a garden complex with architectural elements located on the hill of El Carmel in the Gracia district of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. It was designed by the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí and built in the years 1900 to 1914. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Works of Antoni Gaudí”.
History
The Park Güell was originally part of a commercially unsuccessful housing site, the idea of Count Eusebi Güell, whom had commisioned the famous architect Antoni Gaudí to carry out the work. Gaudí was given a large budget and almost complete creative freedom, resulting in a unique design. In the years 1914 to 1923 Gaudí and his team worked on the park and its buildings. It officially opened as a public park in 1926.
Features
The park covers an area of 17.18 hectares (42.5 acres) at the northern edge of the city of Barcelona. It can be divided into three distinct parts: the upper zone, the middle zone and the lower zone.
Upper Zone
The upper zone of the park is a vast landscaped area with pavements and built-in seating in the form of stone benches. This area is surrounded by many trees and shrubs. The most notable feature of this area is the famous dragon staircase, or “El Drac” as it is known in Catalan. It is a large staircase with a dragon sculpture at the top.
Middle Zone
The middle zone of the park is the main square of the complex. This area is surrounded by two large curved stone benches which were designed by Gaudí. In the center of the square is a large circular pond with a fountain at its center. This area also contains two large hypostyle halls with a total of 86 Doric columns.
Lower Zone
The lower zone of the park contains the so-called “el Raval de Gaudí”. This area is a large walled enclosure with a variety of buildings and structures. These include Gaudí’s famous mosaic lizard, a small market, a playground, a gazebo, and a chapel.
Attractions
Park Güell is one of Barcelona’s most popular tourist attractions and has become an icon of Catalan modernism. It attracts millions of visitors each year who come to see its unique architecture and landscape design. The park is also a popular venue for cultural events such as concerts, art exhibitions and festivals.
- Gaudí’s Dragon Staircase – The famous dragon staircase at the entrance of the park.
- The Hypostyle Halls – Two large halls with a total of 86 Doric columns.
- El Raval de Gaudí – A large walled enclosure with a variety of buildings and structures.
- Gaudí’s Mosaic Lizard – A large mosaic lizard at the entrance of the park.
- The Chapel – A small chapel at the lower end of the park.
- The Market – A small market in the lower zone of the park.
- The Playground – A playground in the lower zone of the park.
- The Gazebo – A gazebo in the lower zone of the park.
Conclusion
Park Güell is a unique example of Gaudí’s work and a popular tourist destination in Barcelona. It is an iconic symbol of Catalan modernism and attracts millions of visitors each year. Its unique architecture and landscape design make it a must-see destination in Barcelona.
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