I absolutely love Antoni Gaudí’s most famous landmark, Park Güell. You simply can’t visit Barcelona without seeing it. Park Güell is Antoni Gaudí’s most colorful and playful masterpiece. Park Güell is so creatively done, it’s as if Antoni Gaudí’s imagination was allowed to run rampant, and the result was the creation of this fascinating park.
Park Güell features gardens, fountains, pavilions, sculptures, winding pathways, and much, much more! It was designed with such complexity and intricate details, it would take many visits to truly absorb it all. Here’s a guide to Antoni Gaudí’s Park Güell, let’s go!
The Ultimate Guide to Antoni Gaudí’s Park Güell
The “Gingerbread House” Pavilions
Upon entering the park you’ll find two large pavilions that resemble a gingerbread house.
Antoni Gaudí’s Staircase Fountain
Next, you’ll walk up a grand stairway towards the columns and terrace.
The Dragon Fountain
As you walk up you can’t miss the famous multicolored salamander fountain. It is beautifully decorated in colorful tiles at the entrance of the park. This piece of art has since become a symbol of Antoni Gaudí’s work, and you can find miniature replicas for purchase at shops around the city.
The Main Terrace
The park’s main feature is the large terrace with fantastic views overlooking the city. The edge of the terrace is outlined by a long wavy bench in the form of sea serpent, embossed with colorful mosaic designs.
The Sea Serpent Bench
One of my favorite features of the bench’s design is the way it curves and creates cozy nooks for socializing. It provides a more intimate atmosphere, despite the fact you are sitting on a long, singular bench in a public park.
The Doric Columns
Supporting the roof of the terrace you’ll find oversized Doric columns that make you feel like you’re walking through an elaborate stone forest.
Tiled Mosaics on the Ceiling
And looking up to the ceiling you’ll find beautifully tiled mosaics.
The Sloping Stone Columns
Continually gaining inspiration from nature, Antoni Gaudí designed sloping stone columns that simulate palm-tree trunks that support the vault under the walkway.
The Bird’s Nests
And interesting enough, you’ll see that Gaudí actually built in bird’s nests into the sides of the terrace walls, to further simulate the tree trunk design.
Gaudí House Museum
Hidden within the park you’ll also find a small house that Antoni Gaudí actually lived in for almost 20 years. The house has now been converted into a museum, The Gaudí House Museum, and contains a collection of furniture and other objects also designed by Gaudí.
Tickets to the museum are also available for purchase.
Tips for Visiting Park Güell
- Due to Park Güell’s location and the size of the park, I would recommend spending half a day here.
- Bring some snacks
- Park Güell is a great location to have a picnic
- Guided tours of Park Güell are available
Read More
The “Antoni Gaudí” Guide to Barcelona
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What’s your favorite feature in Antoni Gaudí’s Park Güell? Love to know in the comments below!
Love the way you tell things with such detail and your pictures are stunning. Feels like I’ve been there!