Park Guell
Park Guell, Barcelona, is a colorful Candy Land of gingerbread house palaces and Dr. Suess-style landscapes, located on bald Mountain in the neighborhood of Gracia. As its name suggests, the park was commissioned by Antonio Gaudi’s friend, Eusebi Guell, and was intended to be a residential garden city, like those built in England. Planned and constructed by Gaudi between 1900 and 1914, the project was intended for a community of sixty single-family residences, and includes lush vegetation, winding roads, a covered market place, and a central plaza overlooking the sea. Also, the park has a grand stairway, which features the traditional symbol of the park: a large, colorful tile mosaic dragon.
Gaudi, who had a great appreciation for the topography of the site, took special care in avoiding any leveling, which would take away from the mountain slope’s beauty. The architect devised a system of viaducts, supported by tidal waves of inclined columns, which allowed for an extensive road system, while still retaining the land’s natural shape. Antonio and Guell also drew up a mandatory contract for Park Guell, which was required to be signed upon the purchase of a plot, prohibiting the felling of trees as well as other such aesthetic and environmental conditions.
However, only three plots were ever sold. Two went to the private residence of the Trias family, and one for the location of the show-home, which Gaudi eventually ended up buying as his own residence in 1906. Today, the house has been converted into the Casa-Museu Gaudi, where visitors can view a collection of the architect’s personal memorabilia, as well as some of his furnishing designs.WE were unable to visit the entire park as the children were exhausted and although delighted by the park - Iggy was super keen to get to Barce Stadium.
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