Quick and Easy Access to Gaudi's Magical Park Güell
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TIP: Book tickets in advance - they sell out quickly during the summer months as entry is limited to 1400 people per hour.
Park Güell covers around 12 hectares (just over 30 acres) and is nestled between the neighbourhoods of El Coll, La Salut, Vallcarca I els Penitents, El Carmel, and Can Baró. The park includes the famous Monumental Zone, forested areas, and panoramic viewpoints.
Visitors enter Park Güell through the iconic Dragon Stairway, which features a mesmerizing mosaic dragon, a symbol of Catalonia. This captivating entrance sets the artistic tone for the park. Learn about the Dragon Stairway's history and its significance, and imagine Antoni Gaudí here during the design phase.
The Porters Lodge Pavilion is home to two gingerbread-style houses. One serves as the park's visitor center, and the other as its gift shop.
Winding around the main terrace is the famous 'Serpentine Bench', showcasing Gaudí's mastery of organic forms. This bench (one of the park's most photographed monuments) is approximately 110 meters long and it's unique design was intended to foster communal living in the garden city (the garden city was the original plan for the land). The bench seamlessly integrates with the natural landscape, offering incredible panoramic views of Barcelona.
At the heart of Park Güell lies the 'Hypostyle Room', or the 'Hall of a Hundred Columns,' despite having only 86! This forest of Doric columns was inspired by the Greek town of Delphi, and it supports the terrace above. Originally designed as a marketplace, the area now serves as a surreal and dreamlike architectural marvel. Explore the intricate mosaic ceiling representing the four seasons and the towering columns imitating a forest.
Mosaic magic comes to life at Park Güell through Gaudí's trencadís technique, which uses broken ceramic tiles to create vibrant, textured surfaces. He also used the technique in Casa Batlló and it adds a burst of colour to the park's features, including the famous Salamander and the Portico of the Washerwoman.
No visit to Park Güell is complete without seeing the colorful Salamander, a mosaic creature known as 'the Dragon of Park Güell.' This iconic symbol is another major photographic hotspot. Discover its symbolism and significance. Then, explore the Portico of the Washerwoman on the main terrace, with its trencadís-covered columns and ceiling transporting visitors to a world of fantasy. Each column was created by a different artist to ensure no two are the same. The most famous, the Portico of the Washerwoman, includes a sculpture of a woman carrying a basket on her head, symbolizing the laundry she carries.
Discover the Greek Theatre, a large open space surrounded by a circular bench. Designed for public events and performances, this venue embodies Gaudí's vision of architecture that respects and celebrates the natural world. Uncover how the theatre integrates seamlessly into the hillside, enhancing the park's overall natural harmony.
Park Güell earned the prestigious title of a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984, along with several other Gaudi designs in Barcelona. Visitors can explore and enjoy the cultural and artistic significance that led to this award.
Situated in the heart of Barcelona, Park Güell stands as an artistic masterpiece and a captivating testament to Antoni Gaudí's genius and Catalonia's vibrant spirit. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is more than just a leisure space; it is a celebration of creativity, welcoming millions of visitors each year.
The story of Park Güell, also known as Parc Güell, begins in the early 20th century when industrialist Eusebi Güell commissioned Antoni Gaudí for a residential project. The vision was to create a private garden city with 60 luxury properties, intended as a weekend retreat for Barcelona's elite.
Gaudí, renowned for his Catalan Modernism architecture, commenced construction in 1900. The first plot was sold to Martí Trias i Domènech, a lawyer and friend of Güell. Simultaneously, Gaudí's assistant, Francesc Berenguer, designed a showhouse to encourage sales. Gaudí, along with his father and niece, moved into this house in 1906. Today, this property is known as the 'Gaudí House Museum' and is open to the public.
Eusebi Güell also developed a residence on the site, transforming an existing property into what became known as ‘Casa Larrard.’
Despite the grand vision, the residential project faced difficulties. By 1907, key features like the Grand Staircase, the entrance, and the Hypostyle Hall were completed. However, only two properties (Gaudí's house and Güell’s redeveloped property) were finished before the project was abandoned in 1914.
Following its abandonment, Güell allowed the site to be used for public events, and it began appearing in tourist guides for Barcelona. After Güell's death in 1918, his family offered the land to the city of Barcelona, which purchased it in 1923. The park became city property and was opened to the public in 1926.
Today, Park Güell remains a historic and cultural landmark, embodying the artistic flair of Gaudí and the cultural heritage of Catalonia.
Park Güell Address: As the park is so large it doesn’t actually have an address, as such! However, there are 3 entrances that you can refer too, and they are: