Park Güell by Antoni Gaudí
The story behind Park Güell (1900-1914) in Barcelona
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.
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
- Casa Batlló (Gaudí's first masterwork)
- Casa Milà (the intent to surpass Casa Batlló)
- La Sagrada Familia (the world famous unfinished church)
- Casa Lleó Morera (Domènech i Montaner's corner building on the passeig de Gracia)
- Casa Amatller (one of Puig i Cadafalch's masterpieces)
- The Triumph Arch
- Casa de les punxes (Puig i Cadafalch's castle in medieval style)
- Park Güell (the architect parc built for Barcelon's rich families)
- New Tendencies: The Barcelona Pavilion by Mies van der Rohe and Palau Nacional.
- Optional: other modernist buildings in Barcelona by Puig i Cadafalch, Domènech i Montaner can be added. Let us arrange a custom made tour.
register number: ESB65632929)
