Description: Parc Guell was a place I had long wanted to visit. The pictures of the Gaudi works in this public park, to me, always looked fascinating. On my last 2 visits to Barcelona, I did not have time to explore Parc Guell, so I made sure it was definitely on my agenda for this trip.
The Parc Guell is a public park, spread over 20 hectares on El Carmel hill and overlooking the city of Barcelona. In terms of scope it was Gaudi's biggest work. It opened to the public in 1922, and people were then able to see this place, where Gaudi was given complete freedom to design as he saw fit. As is normal for him, there are no straight lines or right angles, everything is curved, wavy and flowing.
The park is open between 10am and 8pm daily. Entrance is free. We visited by metro, the park is about 15 minutes walk from the metro station (very well signposted though) and the last section is up quite a steep hill.
When we got close to the park, I was astounded at the crowds of people visiting. There were literally people everywhere and the noise level was loud. It did not feel peaceful or like a fun day out at the entrance. The weather was terrible during our visit, it poured with rain, so I can't imagine how bad the crowds would have been on a nice day! I was a little put off by this, but we braved the crowds and further into the park, although it was busy and there were people absolutely everywhere, it did not feel quite so crammed.
The main entrance to the park is at Calle Olot. The gate has 2 gingerbread house buildings at each side. They are lovely - apparently the chimneys are in the shape of wild and toxic mushrooms. I had read that one of the gatehouses had plans and suggested routes you should take in the park. We went in, but couldn't find anything of this nature. It was a (very packed) gift shop, so we didn't hang around for long inside. We couldn't find any maps anywhere, so just decided to follow our noses and go where the fancy took us.
On the steps by the entrance is "Draco" the mosaic dragon. This is one of Gaudi's most famous and well loved creations. You can touch the dragon, but everybody wants to do that! This is something you have to do though in Parc Guell.
We walked past the Room of a Hundred Columns. Our son quite liked exploring this area - lots of stone pillars and columns and echoey sounds.
Further up the hilll , there are grottoes with stone pillars which have plants and pathways on the top. Again, children like walking on the pathways and peering over the tops.
The gardens are very nice - manicured with some beautiful plants - even on a wet day, you could appreciate their beauty.
If you climb to the top of the park, there are the most wonderful views over the city of Barcelona, with the Sagrada Familia jutting out above everything and the sea in the distance. There are 2 miles of paths weaving through the Parc Guell, and here and there you find Gaudi sculptures and works.
The Gaudi museum is here in the Parc Guell. It is actually inside the house where Gaudi used to live. We did not go inside, the length of the queue put us off.
We walked right to the highest point, where there is a cross on a little hill, then all the way back down again. It is a nice walk, and our 8 year old enjoyed it too.
The main square above the Room of Columns has a huge, wavy bench which goes all the way around the square and lots of people were sitting on it having a picnic. You get a good view of the gingerbread houses at the entrance here.
We spent a couple of hours strolling around the park. We may have spent longer, if the sun had been shining and it had not been so wet. I enjoyed it, but it was a very crowded place and although I am glad I have visited, I would probably not go back again if I visited Barcelona in the future. I think Gaudi's other creations are more interesting and inspiring for me.
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