Park Güell is one of Barcelona's top attractions, known for its stunning location on the hills overlooking the city. Designed by the renowned Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí, who also created famous landmarks like Casa Milà, Casa Batlló, and the Sagrada Família, Park Güell has a unique history. Here are 10 fascinating and surprising park Guell facts that you might not know.
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1. It was originally a failed housing project
Park Güell wasn't initially meant to be a public park. Antoni Gaudí, along with landowner Eusebi Güell, envisioned it as a modern housing estate with all the latest amenities, such as running water and heating. The site, perched above the bustling city of Barcelona, offered incredible views of the sea and the surrounding area. They planned to build 60 triangular plots, connected by paths, steps, and viaducts, but faced significant challenges. Due to strict building restrictions, only one-sixth of the land could be developed. A show home was constructed to attract buyers, but complex sales conditions, lease terms, and poor transportation access made the project financially unfeasible. After Eusebi Güell's death in 1914, the project was abandoned. In 1926, the City of Barcelona purchased the land and turned it into the public park we know today.
2. It took four years to build Park Guell
In 1900, Eusebi Güell hired Antoni Gaudí to design an upscale housing estate on the hillside. By 1903, Gaudí had completed key elements, including the two entrance pavilions, the steps, the viaducts, the outer walls, and a part of the large central square. The first plot of land was purchased by Martí Trias i Domènech, a lawyer and friend of Güell, who had architect Juli Batllevell build his villa. Even during Güell's lifetime, Park Güell had already become one of Barcelona's major tourist attractions. The large square was frequently used for Catalan cultural events, traditional Sardana dancing, and other civic gatherings.
3. “No straight lines in nature”
Güell aimed to create a space modeled after the British residential gardens of the early 19th century, which is why he named it "Park Güell" in English. Gaudí, deeply inspired by nature, ensured that his designs blended seamlessly with the natural surroundings. He preserved the existing vegetation, such as carob and olive trees, and added only Mediterranean plants that complemented the landscape. Gaudí also designed water collection and storage systems based on the irrigation methods from his rural upbringing. In his architectural designs, Gaudí avoided straight lines, as they don't occur in nature. Instead, he used curves, slanted lines, and scalloped edges, drawing inspiration from the forms and structures of the surrounding trees.
4. Gaudí lived inside Park Guell
In 1906, Gaudí purchased the model house in Park Güell and lived there with his father and niece until his death in 1926 after being struck by a tram. Living on-site allowed him to supervise the construction closely. Today, his former home is the Gaudí House Museum, featuring furniture he designed and personal items he used. Interestingly, Gaudí didn't design this house himself. It was designed by Catalan architect Francesc Berenguer, but Gaudí signed the plans since Berenguer was not yet a licensed architect. Around the same time Gaudí moved in, Güell converted the existing mansion, Casa Larrard, into his residence. Today, this building serves as a school.
5. The Hypostyle Room was actually supposed to be a market place
The Hypostyle Room, one of the most striking features in Park Güell's Monumental Zone, was originally intended to be a market for the residents. Inspired by Roman temples, the room features 86 twisted columns and a wavy bench. The design also includes a system that collects rainwater from the square above, channeling it to an underground tank with a dragon's mouth serving as the overflow outlet. The colorful tile-shard mosaics on the ceiling were designed by Josep M. Jujol, one of Gaudí’s assistants.
6. Park Güell is where Gaudí developed his mosaic technique
The colorful trencadís salamander, which is the most photographed feature in Park Güell, is where Gaudí first experimented with the mosaic technique known as trencadís. The term "trencadís" comes from the Catalan word for "chopped," as the method involves breaking ceramics into small pieces and then cementing them together to create intricate designs. This technique later became one of Gaudí's signature styles.
7. The park is named after Gaudí’s patron
The park is named after Eusebi Güell, Gaudí’s longtime patron and friend. Gaudí, known for his modesty, likely wouldn't have wanted to name the park after himself. In fact, this isn’t the only Gaudí creation named after Güell—other examples include Colonia Güell and Palau Güell.
8. Austria Gardens was originally meant for housing plots
The area now known as Austria Gardens was originally designated for housing plots. However, after Park Güell was opened to the public, this section was repurposed as a municipal plant nursery. In 1977, the Austrian government donated trees to the park, leading to the area being renamed Austria Gardens. This spot offers excellent views of the park, and from the center, you can see the two houses that were built on the property.
9. A variety of wildlife lives in Park Güell
As you explore Park Güell, you'll encounter various types of wildlife, especially birds. Parrots are particularly noticeable, with several species residing in the park that aren't native to the Barcelona area. You might also spot other bird species like the short-toed eagle. Additionally, keep an eye out for the hummingbird hawk moth, an insect that resembles a tiny hummingbird. If you're a fan of birds or insects, Park Güell will give you plenty of opportunities to spot these fascinating creatures.
10. The iron gates of Casa Vicens
The palm-leaf-shaped iron gates surrounding Park Güell were not part of Gaudí's original design. These gates were brought from Casa Vicens after Gaudí's death to replace the original wooden gates.
