Park Güell, occupying roughly 17 hectares, serves as a vibrant showcase of the creative brilliance of architect Antoni Gaudí i Cornet. The park is a fruitful collaboration between the artist and the investor.
◦ The Origin of Park Güell
The name Park Güell can be traced back to Eusebi Güell, a wealthy businessman who was a long-time patron of Gaudí. Güell envisioned a residential complex that would blend natural scenery with urban living and entrusted Gaudí with its design. Although the housing project was ultimately unfinished, the park that emerged is reminiscent of a magical scene from a fairy tale.
◦ A Whimsical World Heritage Site
The park is a playground of imagination, heavily utilizing ochre-colored rough stones, mosaic tiles, and the distinctive Trencadís technique to create a style reminiscent of a fantasy story. Gaudí embraced the irregularities of the terrain, incorporating whimsical elements into the design of Park Güell. These elements include mushroom-shaped structures, houses with gingerbread-like features, undulating benches, a mosaic dragon fountain, and a colorful lizard. All of these elements contribute to the park's unique charm.
Park Güell, one of Gaudí's masterpieces, was proclaimed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1984.
Park Güell How to get there: Take Line 3 of the subway to Vallcarca or Lesseps stations, and from there, it's a 20-minute walk to the main entrance of Park Güell.