Antoni Gaudí's Park Güell
|
|
The history behind Park Güell (1900-1914) |
Park Güell was never finished. The buildings you see in the park today are just a fraction of those who where intended to be built if the original plan had been followed. But Barcelona was suffering after the so called Tragic Week (Setmana Tràgica, 1909) characterized by a deep crisis, and the wealthy people of the city, that the Park was built for withdrew from the project. Eusebi Güell, who stood behind the project, died in 1918 and a few years after that his son sold to the Town Hall. Thus Park Güell became a public park, one of the largest in Barcelona.
Park Güell is one of the most popular places in Barcelona at all. Indeed, it is Barcelona's most visited turist attraction. Park Güell is known for its excellent views, its street performers, musicians and entertainers and, off course, for the designs by Antoni Gaudí.
|
Facts about Park Güell
Park Güell is a nearly 20 acres big and is located on the Caramel hill in the Gracia Quarter. The park is among other things known for its stunning mosaic bench on the terrace overlooking the most of Barcelona. The bench was designed by Antoni Gaudí, in collaboration with Josep Maria Jujols. In the Park you will also find the house where Gaudí lived from 1901 to 1925, not designed by Gaudí himself but by one of his students, Francesc Berenguer. The house currently operates as a museum where it is possible to see some of Antoni Gaudí's furniture.
|
The Tragic Week 1909
Antoni Gaudí began construction in 1900. However, In the middle of the building project, the crisis La Setmana Tragica (The Tragic Week), startet. This conflict would mean problems for the Park, a conflict that startet when the government in Madrid demanded that the 40,000 Catalans were enrolled in the army for a war against Morocco.
|
Guided tour with an English speaking guide
If you are interested in a private guided tour of Gaudí's Park Güell and other buildings of Antoni Gaudí, City Tours Barcelona arrange Gaudí/Modernism-tours in Barcelona for groups and companies.
Prices for tours start at 140 Euros for small groups. For groups of more than 8 people, we offer private guided tours by bus in Barcelona and excursions to the area outside of Barcelona (wine tours in Catalonia, excursions to the Costa Brava, Montserrat, etc.)
|
|
|
