Guell Park

 

As we approached Guell Park

we could see the name of the park spelled out in the Trencadis mosaic technique that was pioneered by Gaudi and which is still used today. 

Trencar, equivalent for 'to break' in Catalan, creates mosaic forms and shapes by putting together broken ceramic tiles, plates, cups, etc. This is one of the notable design elements in the park - Gaudi used the trencadis method extensively in Park Guell to decorate many structures including benches, walls and roofs.

Guell Park is located in the Gracia district of Barcelona. It was constructed between 1900 and 1914. It was originally envisioned as a housing development but was later converted into a public park by Gaudi. It's a surreal, enchanting place where the Modernista architect's passion for natural forms took flight, with the artificial almost seeming more normal than the natural. 

The north part of the 20-hectare hillside retains a wild feel, and much of the park is still wooded, but laced with trails. The monumental section, furthermore, is a fragrant expanse of oaks, pines, wisteria, olive groves, lavender, rosemary, magnolias and more. 

There were so many people visiting the park that it was difficult to take a photograph that captures the magnificence of the entrance

The entrance is marked by two gatehouses

that look right out of a fairy tale

We entered through the magnificent gates

We noted the trencadis work on either side of the grand staircase as well as the columns that remind one of palm trees

wonderful detail

and started going up the Dragon Stairway,  named thus because of 

the multicoloured mosaic salamander, popularlyl known as El Drac (the dragon) which guards the entrance to the park. The salamander is said to represent Ladon, the serpent from Greek mythology who guarded Hera's golden apples in the Garden of the Hesperides. This symbolises Gaudi's desire to create a harmonious connection between nature and architecture within the park. Three fountains sit between the symmetrical sides of the staircase and the salamander acts as an overflow.

We reached the top - oh! so many people

good view of the city and the two gate houses from here

The grand staircase leads to the Hypostyle Room, envisioned as a potential marketplace within the estate. It has 86 intricately carved columns, drawing inspiration from the Doric Greek columns.

The outermost columns deviate from classical norms with their undulating slopes, yet they serve to accentuate their structural significance. The design creates a cathedral-like ambiance, with sections devoid of columns, simulatiung the naves.

The ceiling is adorned with small domes and tiled mosaic

Atop the colonnade rests an architrave supporting a sinuous bench which we will visit shortly. But before that, 

we wanted to take this vaulted path, the De la Bugadera (Laundry Room Portico), a gallery of twisted stone columns resembling a cloister beneath tree roots  (a recurring motif)

A whole system of these pathways (originally designed for carriages) threads through the park. Designed by Gaudi using local stone, they blend seamlessly with the landscape. Their columns and vaulted supports mimic tree trunks and natural forms. Gaudi has used inverted catenary arches to achieve optimal load-bearing compression.

Note how one of the columns is shaped like a Karyatis

This one follows the angle of the hill, so that you almost want to lean left as you walk along it

At one point you can see how it winds round the corner

We moved on

to the park's focal point, the terrace, the plaza, a large square also known as Placa de la Natura. It overlooks the city at the top of the complex. 






which is bordered by a long, curving bench shaped like a sea serpent and it's decorated with colourful mosaics

and from here you can see how the Doric columns support the terrace. It's a great meeting place

and because they are curved and undulating, the benches are extremely comfortable

a closer look at the intricate mosaic

Great views from here, of the city and the park

this is where we walked just before coming up here

We left the terrace and started exploring the viaducts that are to be found all over the park

as always with Gaudi, each one is different

a model home exemplifying the homes that were planned to be built here

you can walk under these viaducts or on top of them, and we did all of it

looking closer. On the top of this one, are tall pots laid our and planted with agave - there are circular benches between them, and we will see those later

Inside this viaduct are three rows of columns that support vaults with ribs that create a hexagonal shape. 

It was planned as a place to rest, with stone benches inside the portico.

Further on, the benches between the pots.

One of the main reasons why Park Guell stands out is because it reflects Gaudi's deep connection with nature. He believed that architecture should be integrated with its surroundings rather than standing out from them. This philosophy is evident throughout the park as it features winding paths that follow the natural contours of the hillside and structures that blend seamlessly with the landscape.

We took the steps to walk to the top of the viaduct we had walked under

busking on the plateau

at the top

more benches here

good views of the park below us but also of the city 

as the viaduct winds around, following the line of the hill, we get a good view of its structure

detail

We got to the top of the hill, where Casa Marti Trias i Domenech is situated. We could see the house from the entrance to the park and now we had reached it

a plateau and more busking

from now on downhill, walking towards the park entrance

Park Guell supports a diverse range of wildlife, including non-native parrots and sightings of the short-toed eagle. It is also known for hummingbird hawk moths.

and all along, good views of the city

and of the viaduct we had walked under earlier

We got to the bottom of the hill and decided to walk under the viaduct once more

I am mentally leaning to the left was I write this

down the steps to get to the

Hypostyle Room

down the steps, the crowds as large as ever

past the El Drac

Thought about exploring the gate house, but the queue put us off

went inside this one, but it was packed, so we left

after admiring the ceiling.

had a last look at the park entrance

and moved on to explore La Gracia district.