Park Guell - Barcelona

February 24, 2014 - Park Guell is a popular, whimsical space to enjoy the Barcelona spring weather and Gaudi architecture.  Situated at the foot of a mountain, on the edge of the city, it's quite a hike, so we took a cab for 10 euros instead of trying to navigate the bus/subway system.  I used the app, Hail O, to hail the cab... worked like a charm.  A line of taxis waits outside the park for the easy fare back.

The entire park encompasses 17,000+ acres, which is free to the public except for the area called the 'Monumental Zone' which requires a ticket for entrance.  Tickets can be bought online (and are slightly cheaper).  When buying online you must purchase entrance for a specific time period.  A limit of 400 tickets per 30 minute increments has been set to control crowds.

Online tickets:  general admission - 7 euros, children 0-6 years - free, children 7-12 - 4.90 euros
Onsite tickets:  general admission - 8 euros, children 0-6 years - free, children 7-12 - 5.60 euros

www.parkguell.cat

Background - in 1900, industrialist Eusebi Guell, commissioned Antoni Gaudi to create an estate for wealthy families on the property he bought called Muntanya Pelada (bare mountain).  The restraints placed on the acquisition of land in Park Guell, the exclusive nature and the challenging transportation issues of the time led to the demise of the project in 1914.  After Guell's death, his heirs offered the city a chance to buy the property which it did in 1922.  The park was opened to the public in 1926 and declared a UNESCO Cultural Heritage of Humanity site in 1984.  

trencadis (tile shard mosaic) - decorative technique, loved by Gaudi - green before it was trendy!

Casa del Guardia - one of two porter's lodges flanking the main gate

the interior of the porter's lodge

iron gates brought from Casa Vicens, earlier Gaudi work

metal door on the porter's lodges

interior stairway of one porter's lodge

Casa del Guardia - porter's lodge used by residents and visitors, now the gift shop

double flight of steps from front entrance up to the columns room

wall leading up the stairs

probably one of the most photographed, easily identified Gaudi pieces

fountain in the center of the stairs

Hypostyle Room (columns room) - conceived as a covered space to be used as a market for the estate

stairs leading to the esplanade known as the Teatre Grec (Nature Theater)

backside of the undulating bench that winds around the esplanade was planned by Josef Maria Jujol between 1910-1914.  Celebrations were held here from sports events to balloon flights to demonstrations of Catalan national affirmation.

view from the esplanade

view from the esplanade

wavy bench the wraps around 3 sides of the esplanade

navigating Park Guell

portico of the washerwoman - gardens of the former farmhouse, Casa Larrard, acquired to make Park Guell.  Casa Larrard became the residence of Eusebi Guell and his family.  In 1931, when the park was public, the Baldiri Reixac municipal school moved into the building. 

fika - refuel

portion of the exterior wall of Park Guell

Catalan architect, Antoni Gaudi, lived in this house from 1906 until his death in 1926.  It was originally a show house for the Park Guell residential development project.  The house was used as a private residence after Gaudi's death then turned into the Gaudi House Museum in 1963. 

Gaudi's work was inspired by nature, creating designs that felt good (ergonomic) and were functional.

Gaudi often designed furniture to compliment his architectural work.

a bassinet Gaudi designed for a family

a peep hole designed by Gaudi

tile in the house

same shape as the cross on top of Casa Batllo - maybe a model?

same sculpture that adorns a portion of the Basilica de la Sagrada Familia

many paths and porticos wind their way through Park Guell - these areas were originally meant to be divided into residential plots but was instead a plant nursery.  It was officially made into a public garden in the 1960s designed by Lluis Ruidor.  Officially called Austria Gardens due to the donation of trees from Austria.