Didn’t it occur to you that Park Guell wasn’t always intended as a park? Initially, Eusebi Guell envisioned a modern housing estate far from Barcelona’s smog. Gaudí was commissioned to design Park Guell.
The plan included modern conveniences. Running water was to be included. There would be a market, laundry room, church, and public square. Construction began in 1900. A guardian’s house and a model house were built. These would attract investors.
However, the plan was unsuccessful. Work stopped in 1914. In 1926, the area was opened as a public park. The park is named after Eusebi Guell. He was Gaudí’s patron and friend.
The original name of Park Guell used the English word “park”. This was because Gaudí was inspired by the British garden city movement. These communities combined outdoor, industrial, and commercial areas.
Gaudí lived in Park Guell until his death. In 1906, he bought the model house. He lived there with his family. Gaudí died in 1926. He was hit by a tram and mistaken for a pauper due to his simple clothes.
The house where Gaudí lived wasn’t designed by him. It was designed by Francesc Berenguer. Today, it’s the Gaudí House Museum.
Many visitors only explore the monumental area of Park Guell. The park extends beyond this area. It includes walks among native trees. The monumental area requires an entrance fee. The other areas are free. Both offer impressive city views.
Park Guell’s design is inspired by nature. Gaudí integrated the park with the natural environment. He used the mountain’s topography. Many columns resemble the shape of trees. Gaudí believed there were no straight lines in nature. Therefore, Park Guell features slanted lines and organic curves.
One of the park’s famous features is the mosaic salamander. This salamander exemplifies “trencadís”. This technique uses small pieces of chopped ceramics. Gaudí pioneered this method.
Eusebi Guell wanted to recreate British residential parks. That is why he named it Park Guell, in English. Gaudí respected the existing vegetation. He chose Mediterranean plants that needed little water. He designed systems to collect and store water. This prevented erosion and provided water for the inhabitants.
By 1907, events were held in the great square. The hypostyle room was covered. The tiled bench around it was completed in 1914. Complex sales conditions and a lack of transport made the housing development unviable. Only two of the sixty houses were built. The park became a private garden. Guell allowed public events. It appeared in tourist guides.
Guell died in 1918. His heirs offered the park to the City Council. It was purchased in 1922 and opened in 1926. The Guell family house became a school. In 1963, Gaudí’s house opened as a museum.
Park Guell is now a public park. It is appreciated by Barcelona’s inhabitants. It is a major attraction for visitors. It was recognized as an artistic monument in 1969. UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site in 1984.
So as you wander through Park Guell today, remember its original purpose. It was to be a place for the wealthy. Now, it is a park for everyone. Its blend of nature and architecture continues to inspire.