Take a Look at What’s Inside Park Guell in Barcelona
Park Guell in Barcelona is an enduring symbol of Gaudi's artistic prosperity. It is an extensive park system with incredible and diverse architectural components modeled by the well-known Catalan architect, Antoni Gaudi.
A creation straight out of the imagination of an artistic genius, Park Guell never fails to amaze its visitors.In 1969, the artistic essence and architectural pattern of Park Guell were identified by the Spanish state and was declared a monument of cultural interest. In 1984, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) proclaimed Park Guell as a World Heritage Site because of its significance. Read on to find out what you can find inside this cultural heritage park.
Zones of Park Guell
The park is divided into two zones:
- Monumental Zone: The monumental zone spread over 12 hectares is the core attraction of Park Guell. It is home to a series of spectacular buildings and some of the most iconic works of Gaudi. This area accounts for only about 5% of the total Park Guell area and was declared a world heritage site in 1984. Visitors need a ticket to enter this zone and in order to control the crowds, only a maximum of 1400 people are allowed inside every half an hour.
- Woodland Zone: The adjacent woodland zone is spread over another 8 hectares, and accounts for about 90% of the park's area. The woodland zone is open for everyone to visit and doesn’t require a ticket. The lush gardens boast of some masterful landscaping and walking trails. You will be able to spot some exotic flora such as the common hawthorn and oaks, and some fauna, as well, here.
Inside the Monumental Zone
Top Things To See Inside Park Guell
All the major attractions within the Park Guell are located within the monumental area, which was declared a World Heritage Site in 1984.
The Greek Theatre or Nature Square
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 artistic carvings of Antoni Gaudi. It was earlier known as the Greek theatre as the area was planned as a site for outdoor shows, which could be enjoyed from surrounding terraces as well. It has been renamed as Nature square. 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 Entrance and the Porter's Lodge Pavilions
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 carrying the name of Park Guell which seems astonishing. 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 Hypostyle Room
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 undulating bench is positioned which has an attractive appearance.
There is a channel that collects the 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 which is made up of clay bricks garnished with original tile-shard mosaics by Joseph.M. Jujol. Inside the room, sections where columns are absent, create a space that looks like three naves, as in a large temple.
The Austria Gardens
Austria Gardens was used as a plant nursery when Park Guell was converted into a public park. 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, friend, or family. You can also see two houses from its center that were built in Eusebi Guell's time.
The Dragon Stairway
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 there is the emblem of Catalonia which has a fearless appearance. And the last staircase is surrounded by a dragon or salamander, covered with an adorning tile-shard mosaic.
The Laundry Room Portico
The laundry room portico is situated on the eastern side of the Greek theatre square. This carries you to where there used to be 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.
It is one of the greatest representations by Gaudi. At the end of the room, there is a spiral ramp that takes the tourists down to the house.
The Roadways Pathways, and Viaducts
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.
Antonio 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.
Relaxation Areas
Park Guell is spread across 12 hectares and all the sections of the park have different unique structures and designs. This means the visitors can take hours to complete the whole tour which is why the park has several relaxation areas and every kind of recreational facility such as games and outdoor activities. The relaxation areas have been developed after keeping in mind every kind of age group from newborn to old.
The equipment in the relaxation area includes tables, benches, urban furniture, and games for kids and teenagers to help people relax.
Animals of Park Guell
It is no secret that Guadi was heavily influenced by nature. His love for nature is evident in all his works, and one of the ways this has manifested has been through various animal creations places across Park Guell.
The Dragon: One of the most popular highlights inside Park Guell, El Drac needs no introduction. The Lizard was made in collaboration with Joseph Maria Jujo, and features colorful scales thanks to the broken colourful tile shards it was made with .
The Serpent: Located on the same stairway as the dragon, the Serpent is a cute little creature that is surrounded by the Catalan flag. It is believed the snake represents Nejustan, the snake on the staff of Moses.
Lion: You will find a line of lion heads along the outside the balcony. It was added on to act as a drainage system for the balcony.
Octopus: At the center of the Hypostyle Room, you will find a huge Octopus on its ceiling.
Design & Architecture
Park Güell is a park modeled by Antoni Gaudí upon the request of Count Eusebi Güell, who wished to build a contemporary park for the gentle people of Barcelona.
It is designed to bring peace and calm that is expected from a park. It is one of the largest architectural works in south Europe.
Natural bricks, carved stone columns, and landscape are used to procure a natural feeling of the park. To make the benches attractive and comfortable he used mosaics, ceramic shards, iron, balustrades, and colorful tiling.
Gaudi has a beautiful style of fusing nature with his flamboyant style and Park Guell is the biggest example of it. Throughout the project, the experimentation of nature and architecture Gaudi worked well and Park Guell was built.
How to Enter Park Guell?
If you are a tourist who wishes to visit Park Guell, you will have to get your hands on Park Guell entry tickets. While you can enter the woodland area without tickets, you need a paid ticket to enter the monumental zone, which houses Gaudi's works.
Local citizens can visit Park Guell for free any time between 7 AM to 10 PM. You simply have to identify yourself as a local citizen at the entrance.
Book Tickets
All Your Questions About What’s Inside Park Guell Answered
A. There 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.
A. 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.
A. Park Güell is spread across 12 hectares, which comprises the monumental and accompanying forest areas.
A. Yes, you can take pictures inside Park Guell.
A. Yes, you can visit the forest area of Park Guell for free. However, you need to purchase tickets to visit the Monumental Zone.
A. 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.
A. Antoni Gaudi designed Park Guell.
A. Park Guell is located in Barcelona, Spain.
A. Park Guell was built in 1926.
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