Exploring Park Güell: Must-see landmarks and hidden treasures

Park Guell's main entrance is on the south side, on Carrer d'Olot. The entrance is framed by a rustic stone wall decorated with ceramic tiles and medallions. The iron gates, crafted to resemble palm leaves, add to the park's theme. On either side of the entrance, there are two pavilions. The left pavilion serves as the porter's lodge entrance, while the right pavilion, once the porter's residence, now belongs to the Barcelona History Museum. Both pavilions showcase Antoni Gaudí's unique roof designs.

Nature Square, or Plaça de la Natura, is a large open esplanade located in the center of Park Guell. Surrounded by Antoni Gaudí's artistic carvings, this central area was initially called the Greek Theatre because it was designed for outdoor performances. Part of the square is excavated into the rock, while the other part rests against the Hypostyle Hall. An undulating bench covered in a tile-shard mosaic acts as a handrail along the side of the stairway, adding to the square's artistic charm.

The entrance stairway leads to the Hypostyle Hall, featuring 86 Doric-style columns. The outermost columns are arranged in a wave-like pattern, adding to the hall's unique design. The gallery above is crowned by a main beam. A cleverly designed channel collects rainwater and directs it to an underground tank, which comes out of the mouth of the dragon fountain. The ceiling is composed of small arches made of clay bricks, adorned with intricate tile-shard mosaics by Joseph Jujol. The absence of some columns inside creates spaces resembling three naves, giving the hall the appearance of a large temple.

The Dragon Stairway consists of a dual flight of stairs flanked by two walls with merlons, creating terraces. The staircase is divided into three sections. The first section features a goblin-like shape, while the second section showcases the emblem of Catalonia. The final section is adorned with a colorful lizard, often mistaken for a dragon, covered in tile-shard mosaic. This "dragon," created using Gaudí's trencadís technique, is one of the most photographed attractions in Barcelona.

The Austria Gardens were originally intended to be part of the residential plots in the Park Güell estate. When the park became public, this area was used as a municipal plant nursery. Unlike the rest of the park, this section has a unique look and was named after a donation of trees from Austria in 1977. The garden offers great views, and from its center, you can see two houses built during Eusebi Güell's time: one designed by architect Juli Batllevell for lawyer Martí Trias i Domènech, and the show home by Francesc Berenguer, which was later bought by the Gaudí family and is now the Gaudí House Museum.

The Laundry Room Portico is one of the most important structures in Park Güell. Located at the top of the park, it is one of the first sights you'll encounter. Built in 1907, it was originally a meeting area or laundry room for park workers. Today, it is a popular tourist attraction known for its impressive design and historical significance. The portico's stone benches are designed to resemble snakes, and its corrugated roof mimics dragon scales. The columns are crafted to look like trees, with their branches joining at the top to form a leafy roof. These unique features make the portico a fascinating structure to explore.

At the highest point of Park Güell, 182.30 meters above sea level, lies the Hill of the Three Crosses, also known as Ore Hill or the Hill of Mines and Caves. Originally, a chapel was planned for this spot as part of Gaudí's housing estate design. When the project failed, the plan was abandoned, and instead, three stone crosses were erected to symbolize Calvary.

The Gaudí House Museum is where Antoni Gaudí lived. It was originally a model home for the housing complex envisioned by Eusebi Güell. The house was initiated by the contractor Josep Pardo i Casanovas and built following the plans of Gaudí’s friend and collaborator, Francesc Berenguer i Mestres. In 1906, Gaudí's father acquired the house, and Antoni Gaudí lived there until 1925, a year before his death.