What Is Park Guell?

Park Guell is a large park situated in the Lessops area of Barcelona. It is a park designed by Antoni Gaudi between 1900 and 1904. The original idea was to create a garden city for Barcelona's elite. The city would contain Gaudi´s renowned architectural genius in the form of housing, walkways, benches and walls. The project was a failure, however, with few plots sold and so it was turned into a public park, which now has UNESCO world heritage site status

The entrance to the park is very impressive. A Gaudi building holds a small museum to your right, and another building houses a souvenir shop to the left. A grand staircase sweeps up to the top of the park. This staircase holds the famous salamander mosaic statue and other mosaic fountains and sculptures.

At the top of the park there is an undulating seating area, each decorated with brilliant mosaics. There is also a market place filled with grand columns and intricately mosaic ceilings. Huge crowds gather here and there are street sellers with a variety of wares for sale. Everything in the park is designed by Gaudi and features his love of natural forms and disregard for straight edges.

There are several pathways you can choose through various trees and shrubs lined by uneven fences and overhung with bridges and walkways. Pass through the leaning gaping arches to get to The Three Crosses which offer a wonderful vantage point and views over Barcelona. In the opposite direction, you can visit the house that Gaudi occupied, though it is not designed by him. The park is a fantastic magical place and well worth a visit.

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