Park Guell Architecture & Design | Gaudi's Modernisme Marvel

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Spread across 19 hectares of land, Park Guell, Barcelona, is a lush natural park featuring numerous architectural elements. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the most famous landmarks by Antoni Gaudi and is known for his eclectic and unique style of Trencadis, a mosaic created by broken pieces of ceramic. Park Guell is inspired by curved lines, nature, and motifs of Catalan nationalism, making the historic park apart from the rest.

About Park Guell

Architecture & Design of Park Guell | Quick Overview

Official Name: Parc Güell (Catalan)

Status/Function/Attraction Type: Municipal Garden

Location: Carmel Hill, Gracia, Barcelona

Founded: 1914

Area: It occupies 17 hectares of space, including the forest, monumental and panoramic areas.

Architectural Style: Modernisme

Main Architects: Antoni Gaudi

Alhambra Palace Architectural Highlights

Who Designed Park Guell?

A portrait of Antoni Gaudí, The architect of Park Guell, Barcelona.

Antoni Gaudi

Park Guell was designed by Antoni Gaudi, a prominent visual artist of the 19th and 20th centuries from Spain. Renowned for his intricate craftwork in various buildings across Spain, Gaudi follows a distinctive architectural style and most of his work was inspired by Modernisme, Neo-Gothic styles, and Art Nouveau.

As he worked on Park Guell, he developed the style of Trencadis, an art form where mosaic structures were built by blending broken vivid tiles. You will find influences of religion and nature in his work. Animals such as octopuses, snakes, salamanders, and lions were built at various junctures by using Trencadis, and flowers are introduced from various motifs spread across the park.

The Architect of Park Guell

The architecture of Park Guell, Barcelona.

Park Guell Architecture & Design

Park Guell was built in Antoni Gaudi’s signature Modernisme style. Throughout the park, you will see the use of Trencadis style of architecture. Antoni Gaudi believed that there were no straight lines or sharp edges when it came to nature, and hence the whole park features curved lines and fluid structures.

The most famous of the Trencadis mosaic creations in the park is the El Drac, which can be spotted at the entrance. Park Guell also has motifs from Catalan nationalism and religious mysticism. You can enjoy panoramic views of the city from the Calvary, featuring a stone hill with steps leading to a platform consisting of three large crosses.

Structure of Park Guell

Park Guell is one of the largest parks in Barcelona covering 19 hectares of land. You will see Gaudi’s most original and enigmatic creations, such as the colourful mosaic dragon on the main entrance, the undulating bench of the central square, the entrance pavilions, Museu del Garda (Guard Museum), Sala Hipostila (the Hypostyle Room), Placa de la Natura (Nature Square or terrace), Jardins d’Austria (Gardens of Austria), and a lot more roads and pathways, offering glorious views over the city.

All these structures are packed with symbolism, making Park Guell a magical and essential place to visit in Barcelona. He managed to bring a fairy tale alive through his architecture and invented the method of Trencadis. Right from the fluidity in the design to their structure, from sculptures to motifs, this concrete architecture is one that blends beautifully with the nature

Stages of Construction of Park Guell

The Catalan industrialist Eusebi Guell I Bacigalupi had acquired land on the outskirts of Barcelona with the aim of building a housing area for well-to-do families. In 1854, due to political pressure, the city walls were dismantled, preventing Barcelona from expanding into the adjacent plain. This level of urbanisation meant that the city would get closer to villages within the region, thus expanding all the way to the mountain range.

Numerous initiatives were put in place to build the peripheral zones. The most original one was the one designed by the trusted architect Antoni Gaudi, who designed a housing development on the city’s hills, allowing its inhabitants to stay closer to nature.

However, due to economic circumstances, the project led to a failure in 1914, resulting in it being transformed into a municipal public park in 1922, and continues to be one of the most visited places in Barcelona.

Inside Park Guell

The architecture of Park Guell is a sight to behold. Its interiors have been constructed with a careful attention to detail that upholds Gaudi's vision for its design.

The Entrance

Gaudi designed an eye-catching park entrance using theatrical style constructions with the use of colour and exoticism on the buildings that aimed to distinguish between two areas: Heaven and Earth, and Park Guell is the Paradise.

The Stairway

The stairway at Park Guell is built of four flights (three with eleven steps and one with twelve steps) and split into two symmetrical sections by three fountains. These together represent the idea of the geographical magnitude of Catalonia.

The Marketplace

Located on the second level of Park Guell, the hypostyle hall is a striking backdrop that gets impressive the closer you get. Its design was influenced by Doric columns from classical Greece. Used as a marketplace by the inhabitants, the hall consists of 86 columns that are made from rubble and mortar, supporting a large square above.

The Main Square

Inspired by agoras in Greek cities, Gaudi designed a recreation area for the inhabitants where numerous activities and religious ceremonies could be conducted. This is located in the geographical centre of Park Guell, with a layout resembling ancient Greek theatres in the past.

The Pathway

Antoni Gaudi designed various porticos, paths, and tracks with functional designs and routes that blended aesthetically with the area around them. He was inspired by the 19th-century English garden and came up with an idea that connected every area of the park with beautiful pathways.

The Austria Gardens

This area was used as a nursery once Park Guell was made into a public park. The garden offers delightful views and consists of a variety of plants that are well-maintained.

The exterior of Park Guell

Relaxation Areas

All the sections in the Park Guell are built with unique designs and structures. Once you are done taking a tour of the park, the park offers relaxation areas and recreational facilities such as games and outdoor activities.

Park Guell | An Architectural Marvel

A marvellous yet sprawling wonderland, the Park Guell follows an architectural style inspired by nature and colourful mosaics and is Antoni Gaudi’s greatest creation. Filled with whimsical sculptures and motifs of Catalan modernism, the park continues to be famous for its architecture. Today, Park Guell has more than 12 million visitors every year visiting from across the globe and most of them leave mesmerised with the architectural wonder.

Frequently Asked Questions About Park Guell Architecture

What is the Park Guell architectural style?

Park Guell is designed in Modernisme style, which is characterised by curved lines and vivid colours.

Who designed the Park Guell?

Park Guell was designed by Antoni Gaudi between 1900 and 1914.

Why is the Park Guell architecture famous?

The Park Guell’s architecture is famous for having designs that are inspired by the nature, curved lines, and motifs of Catalan nationalism, making the park an architectural marvel.

What was Park Guell inspired by?

The Park Guell was inspired by the English garden city movement.

When was Park Guell built?

The Park Guell was built between 1900 to 1914, which later opened as a public park in 1984.

How old is Park Guell?

Park Guell is 109 years old.

What’s inside Park Guell?

Inside Park Guell you will spot architectural elements and flora that blend perfectly together. The significant highlights of the park include the Hypostyle Room, The Greek Square, the Dragon Stairway, The Lodger’s Pavilion, The Viaducts, The Laundry Portico, and Roads and Pathways.

How big is Park Guell?

Park Guell covers an area of 19 hectares that is inclusive of monumental, forest, and panoramic views.