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PARK GÜELL (1900-1914)
Visiting Hours: J November
to February from 10.00 to 18.00; March and October from 10.00 to 19.00;
April and September from 10.00 to 20.00; May and August from 10.00 to 21.00
Address: Olot s/n o Carretera del Carmel. Barcelona
Getting there: METRO L3 Vallcarca
BUS 24, 25, 28, 31, 32, 74, 87
Prices - Museo Gaudí: Individual: 4 €; Groups + than 20 pax, students, pensioners:
3 € |
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Güell originally wanted his property to become a "garden-city," like those which were built in England, for the rich bourgeois of Barcelona. He divided the land into 60 plots between 1000 and 2000 square meters in size, and triangular to adapt to the topography of the land.
Only three plots were sold: two for the home of the Trias family, which they still own, and another to build the show-home, which Gaudí ended up buying in 1906, and which is now a museum dedicated to the park's architect.
The vegetation of the mountain was scarce; Gaudí wanted to cooperate with nature, so he ordered the creation of an autochthonous natural area based on Mediterranean species, which are stronger, but require less water and maintenance.
Gaudí designed the famous viaducts which allowed the mountain's natural shape to be preserved. These viaducts are supported by inclined columns, with manufactured brick centers, covered with natural stone from the site.
The main gate was located on the Carrer d'Olot, and there are two pavilions, built between 1901 and 1902, have an egg-shaped form with the complete absence of straight lines or angles, and their structure is based on wrought reinforced ceramic beams and brick vaults supported by weight-holding walls.
A large double stairway, made up of two symmetrical flights interrupted by landings, where is the famous multicolor dragon, takes us to the la Sala Hipóstila (Hypostyle Hall) and the Greek theatre.
The Hypostyle Hall had to be the marketplace and the Greek Theatre had to be a place for cultural and social events, and there is the famous ondulated bench made of trencadís.
It was declared a universal monument by UNESCO in 1984.
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