Guell Park

Gaudi’s Guell Park in Barcelona, Spain

Of all the many parks in Barcelona, Guell Park is like no other. First, it was designed by the architect, Gaudi, and his concept of imitating nature which means avoiding straight lines. The park is built into the side of a hill and has a delightful view over the city and on to the Mediterranean Sea. That leads to the second unique feature, it is built on many levels.

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This part of the park is undergoing some maintenance. It is a terrace supported by a forest of columns below.

When you visit the park the domes in the foreground below may be covered with water. You may ask, Isn’t that an unusual shape for the bottom of a pool. Yes it is but remember, no straight lines. When you see it from below it will make more sense.

The tile work decorating the benches on the terrace around the pool area are rather special. All of the tiles have to fit on a continuously changing curved surface. HOW DO THEY DO THAT? They buy flat tiles and break them apart then glue them back together on the curved surfaces.

Do you remember the domed part of the pool? This is what they look like from underneath.

Below the terrace and the Concrete Forest is a small village that looks like it is part of a fairy tale.

There are a lot of buildings in the park.

There is a lot of walking but it is worth it.

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One of the pillars along the pathways has this statue in it. It was added by one of Gaudi’s creative laborers. Gaudi did not approve since it was not in keeping with his theme of nature. But rather than having it destroyed he told the craftsman not to do it again. That is how the story goes as I recall it.

From the terrace, the view over the city can be captivating.

– Where do you want to go today? –

Here is link to a map of the park.

http://www.parkguell.cat/en/prepare-the-visit/map-and-services/

Here is a link to a a bonus video https://youtu.be/DrWHUN6d0Uo