The park is divided into two zones:
All the major attractions within the Park Guell are located within the monumental area, which was declared a World Heritage Site in 1984.
Nature square or Placa de la Natura is a large esplanade located right at the center of Park Guell. It is a huge open area surrounded by Antoni Gaudi's artistic carvings. It was earlier known as the Greek theatre, as the area was originally planned as a site for outdoor shows, which could be enjoyed from surrounding terraces as well. You can relish the fascinating panoramic views of the park from here. One part of this space is excavated in the rock and the other rests against the Hypostyle Hall. On the side of the stairway, there is an undulating bench coated with a tile-shard mosaic acting as a handrail.
The main entrance to Park Guell is located on the south side of the park, on Carrer d'Olot. The wall which surrounds the entrance is made of rustic stone with ceramic tiling and medallions. The sharp iron gates are designed in the form of palm leaves to give them a natural impression. On each side, two pavilions shape the potter's lodge out of which the left one is utilized as the pathway to the porter's lodge. The one to the right was previously known as the porter's residence but presently it is a part of the Barcelona History Museum. Both of these pavilions have gorgeous roofs planned by Antoni Gaudi.
The stairway on the entrance leads to the Hypostyle room which is made of 86 streaked columns, prompted in the doric order. The outermost columns are sloped in an undulating pattern. The gallery of the hypostyle room is crowned by an architrave on which the bench is positioned. There is a channel that collects rainwater and sends it to an underground tank, which then overflows from the dragon's mouth. The ceiling of the room is formed of a small arch, made up of clay bricks garnished with original tile-shard mosaics by Joseph Jujol. Inside the room, sections where columns are absent, create a space that looks like three naves, or a large temple.
Austria Gardens is called so because in 1977, Park Guell received a donation of trees from Austria. The garden has all kinds of plants and it is maintained regularly. In comparison to the rest of the areas of the park, this area has a wholly distinct look. The garden offers delightful views where you can take beautiful pictures with your beloved, friends, or family. The gardens was later used as a plant nursery when Park Guell was converted into a public park. You can also see two houses from its center that were built in Eusebi Guell's time, one of which is none other than the Gaudi House Museum, one of the original homes built in the park.
The dragon stairway encloses a dual flight of stairs guarded by two walls with merlons that form terraces. The staircase is divided into three sections. The first staircase retains capricious shapes like goblins, and as you move on to the next stairway, you can find the emblem of Catalonia. And the last staircase is surrounded by a dragon or salamander, covered with tile-shard mosaic. The dragon, like many beautiful structures within Park Guell, has been made using the trencadis technique that Gaudi introduced into many of his works. This multicoloured lizard is one of the most photographed attractions in all of Barcelona.
The laundry room portico is situated on the eastern side of the Greek theatre square. This walkway leads you to what used to be the gardens of Casa Larrard, which Eusebi Guell adopted as his own house. The gallery of the room has the pattern of a great wave crowned with sloping columns, and a double terrace that acts as a supporter. At the end of the room, there is a spiral ramp that takes the tourists down to the house. This structure is one of the best examples of Gaudi's architectural experimentation with organic shapes and forms that strive to mimic and dissolve itself beautifully into its natural surroundings.
On the east side of the Carretera del Carmel exit, Point de Baix is located. It is the foremost viaduct of the network that supports the topography and connects several parts of the park. Gaudi had three viaducts planned in his mind with a width of five meters. The three viaducts are named Pont de Baix, the Pont del Mig, and the Pont de Dalt. They are made up of unhewn stones arranged on a structure of slanting columns. The hand trails on the upper parts are crowned by plots with vegetation. The other road is known as the transversal road which is ten meters wide. It connects the Catheters del Carmel with the Sant Josep de la Muntanya exit.
Park Guell is spread across 12 hectares and all sections of the park have unique and fantastical structures and designs. This means that visitors can take hours to complete a whole tour of the park, which is why it has several relaxation areas as well as a variety of recreational facilities, such as games and outdoor activities. These relaxation areas have been developed after keeping every kind of age group in mind, from newborns to seniors. The equipments in these relaxation area includes tables, benches, urban furniture, and games for kids and teenagers. While you are exploring Park Guell, take a breather, relax and have some fun in one of these spaces.
Park Guell was modelled by Antoni Gaudi upon the request of Count Eusebi Guell, who wished to build a contemporary park for the elites of Barcelona. It is one of the largest architectural works in southern Europe.
Natural bricks, carved stone columns, and landscapes are used to procure a natural feeling in the park. To make the benches attractive and comfortable, Gaudi used mosaics, ceramic shards, iron, balustrades, and colorful tiling.
Gaudi has a beautiful habit of fusing nature with his flamboyant style and Park Guell is the biggest and best example of it. His experimentation with nature and architecture worked like magic, considering how popular and relevant it is in the cultural landscape of Catalonia.
Detailed Park Guell Design and ArchitectureThere are numerous attractions in Park Guell such as the Serpentine Bench, El Drac', Austria Gardens and the Gaudí House Museum, Hypostyle Room and Laundry room portico.
Yes, you can tour inside Park Guell. To enter the monumental zone, which houses the attractions created by Gaudi, you need to purchase tickets. You can book Park Guell tickets here.
Park Güell is spread across 12 hectares, which comprises the monumental and accompanying forest areas.
Yes, you can take pictures inside Park Guell.
You can visit the forest area of Park Guell for free. However, you need to purchase tickets to visit the Monumental Zone.
Yes, a visit to Park Guell is a must for those in Barcelona. Here, one can witness the beautiful architectural designs of Gaudi that seem to seamlessly blend in with nature.
Antoni Gaudi designed Park Guell.
Park Guell is located in Barcelona, Spain.
Park Guell was built in 1926.