Sights to See in Barcelona Parc Guell

Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Parc Guell is yet another of several great gifts to the city of Barcelona from architect Antonio Gaudi. Built between 1900-1914, this 20-hectare park sits on the hills to the north of Barcelona's main areas. It provides a peaceful oasis of lush greenery and outstanding architectural elements.

Located on the northern edge of the town, visitors to Parc Guell have a spectacular vista of much of Barcelona arrayed below them. The terraced gardens provide an excellent combination of the natural and artificial. Seating available shows another example of the colorful mosaic tile that Gaudi loved to incorporate in his design for the park.

Stop for a few moments at the small cafe on the outer edge before entering and have yourself a cool drink. After all, Barcelona can get very hot at times and many of the hills there are steep. For visitors needing something with a little more sustenance, there are several small restaurants nearby to choose from.

As you enter Parc Guell, take note of the outstanding dragon-themed fountain (shown above) as you enter. Take a moment to enjoy the multi-colored tile adorning it. Then stroll down the flower-festooned walkways dotted with many mosaic tiles that show Gaudi's distinctive influence and style.

But there are just as many interesting sights further within the confines of the park itself. There's a museum dedicated to Gaudi's art, filled with photos and other items both instructive and decorative. Once the architect's house, it contains furniture which was designed by Gaudi himself.

Once outside again, located alongside the lush shrubbery reside many worthy sights, including sculpture, columns, restaurants and museums. Even the very benches are works of art. There is one enormous, curved example that is famed throughout the city, the Paseo de Palmas.

Further on are still more examples of wondrous sights.

The Hall of the Hundred Columns (Sala de las Cien Columnas) is an array of classical supports. But what they support is drawn from later styles, such as the romantic-era balcony, which is covered in mosaic tiles of a more modern design.

Nearby there is a walkway which is supported by twisted rock pillars, introducing yet another style. Irregular and yet organic in appearance, they demonstrate another facet of the organic eclecticism Gaudi embraced.

GETTING TO PARC GUELL

There are several entrances to the park and visitors will want to choose accordingly. Taking the metro to the Lesseps stop, brings one to the base. That leads to a steep climb up the hill on which the park rests. Challenging, but great exercise in Barcelona's fine air. Taking the metro to the stop at Vallcarca brings the traveler via outdoor escalators to the top of the park, allowing for an easy walk down the hill.

Admission to the park is free and most buildings open at 10 a.m.

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