Park Guell

The Park Guell is a giant walled compound of gardens on the Carmel Hill, in the Gracia district of Barcelona. Named after it's commissioner, Eusebi Güell, the grand park was built between the years 1900 and 1914. It is one of the most unique parks in the world, because of it's winding roads, vibrant colour tiling, sculptures and majestic view of Barcelona. Now a popular museum, one of Gaudi's many residences is also situated in the park. Before Count Guell's death in 1922, the park was private and many of the residences within belonged to the wealthy. Since it's opening, it has attracted several visitors.

In keeping with his love of nature, Gaudi was deeply considerate of the environment, this reflected in his work. He designed the park to inhabit several trees and plants as well as sculptures and stone pieces, mixing the two different elements to create a balance. Due to the several different levels of the steep mountain, Gaudi designed Viaducts for Cars and pedestrians as excavation of the land would have had a massive impact on the shape and design of the mountain. As you'll see below, the Viaducts are pieces of art on their own.

(By: roryrory on Flikr 3/3/2009. Some rights reserved.)

(By: roryrory on Flikr 3/3/2009. Some rights reserved)

To the side of the park is a Greek theatre used for occasional performances and littered through the park are beautiful coloured mosaic sculptures of animals. At the entrance, one in particular that catches the eye is a giant mosaic of a Dragon lizard. It also doubles as a fountain and the sheer size and vibrancy of the colours make for a big impact upon entrance. Even in the creation of the mosaics, Gaudi complied with the environment and kept costs low by using factory seconds to make up his pieces of art. Throughout the construction of the park, Count Güell and Antoni Gaudi maintained a strong working relationship, although i wanted to highlight one quote that really made me laugh. When Gaudi seemed to be having a low moment, he turned to his commisioner saying:

"Sometimes I think we are the only people who like this architecture."

To which Güell replied:

"I don't like your architecture, I respect it." (Taken from Wikipedia entry)

(By Life in LDN on 23/11/2008 Flickr. Some rights reserved.)

(Picture of Park Guell entrance by jamesbt on Flikr 6/6/2005. Some rights reserved)