Parc Guell – Designed by Antoni Gaudi
Parc Güell © Alice Joyce
Brilliantly expressive, the Modernist art and architecture of Antoni Gaudi is reason enough for an admirer to plan a pilgrimage to Barcelona.
A good part of a day in Barcelona may well be devoted to taking in the ambiance of Parc Guell. At the entrance, the artistry of a mosaic dragon arguably merits the city’s prime photo op for tourists. The masterfully sinuous configuration of the balcony terrace affords far-reaching views that are not to be missed.
Parc Güell Dragon from Wickipedia
Barcelona’s city center, Parc de la Ciutadella boasts natural science and zoology museums, historical buildings to delight architecture buffs, a lake with pleasure boats, and great grassy expanses for relaxation and people-watching.
The late 19th century park features a baroque fountain known as ‘the great cascade’ – a stunning centerpiece.
Barcelona’s most magnificent secret garden!
Barcelona Parc de la Ciutadella Fountain © Alice Joyce
The Ciutadella’s verdantly rich flora emerges in contrast to more formal areas, providing a landscape well worth exploring, with sculptures appearing throughout the landscape.
I found two shade or palm houses intriguing. Referred to as umbracle in Catalan, one ancient edifice built in the late 1800s was closed to the public; the other, a greenhouse structure of iron and glass – the Hivernacle – appeared welcoming.
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I so enjoy getting to see places like this … even if it is vicariously through your blog. What fabulous gardens and structures … love the Parc de la Ciutadella Fountain and your shot of Parc Guell. Marvellous!
Oh, it’s all so fabulous. Would dearly love to visit Spain someday, and of course, these beautiful gardens. A most enjoyable post!
I love the Parc Guell, and Gaudi. Barcelona is one of my most favorite places to visit, mainly because of Gaudi. I am assuming the reason you do not have your own photo of the Dragon, is because of constant stream of tourists standing in front of it getting their picture taken. (I stood there for about 10min waiting to get a picture of it, but eventually gave up.
Thanks for the kind words, Bernie and Karen!
Sunny, Indeed, I found it too tiresome to deal with the endless stream of tourists congregating around the Dragon.
Unfortunately, the photo I used does not convey its beauty. Next time I’ll find a way to capture a better image!
It is amazing to think that as a commercial exercise the park was a failure at the time – it was meant as the centre piece to a new ‘garden city’, but then Harlow and Milton Keynes were better in theory than practice, and at least Parc Guell is a stunning national treasure years later!