In the first part of our travels in the footsteps of Antoni Gaudi, we visited Casa Batlló - https://steemit.com/travelfeed/@otek/travel-in-the-footsteps-of-antoni-gaudi--1---casa-batll--

This time it's time for another famous work of this artist /visionary - Park Güell. This garden was built by Gaudi, commissioned by his friend and patron: Eusebi Güell - hence the name of this place.

According to plans, this place was supposed to be a luxury housing estate for the wealthy inhabitants of Barcelona. It was planned to build 60 houses connected by winding paths full of greenery. Ultimately, the project was not completed. Only 5 buildings were created. Gaudi himself lived in one of them - now there is an artist's museum. Another building was inhabited by the Güell family - currently there is a school there. In 1922, the city of Barcelona bought the whole area and turned it into a city park.

What can we currently see in Park Güell?

Former main gate with two pavilions built in 1901-1902. In one of them there is a souvenir shop, and in the second there is a small exhibition - a part of the building visible in the picture below.

Famous entrance stairs to the pavilion. There are three islands on them: the first one resembling a grotto, the second with the form of a snake against the background of the Catalan flag and the third with the sculpture of a dragon. 

Column hall - the main pavilion, which is built of 86 antique columns. In Gaudi's vision, he was to serve as a market place.

Terrace above the column hall. It has the 'longest bench of the world', a phenomenal bench adorned with a beautiful and colorful mosaic, and we can admire the beautiful panorama of Barcelona from the terrace.

Portico of the Washerwoman - one of the few viaducts that allowed moving up the cabs, and at the bottom walking even when it was raining :) Columns that support it were made by different artists- this most famous column has the shape of a woman who keeps on the head of a basket with washing.

Lots of winding paths, viaducts, beautiful flowers and places from which you can see the panorama of the city.

FCertainly, it is worth visiting Park Guell - the more that its external part is open to visitors for free :)

 

As for the paid part of the park, as always, we recommend buying tickets online, because crowds can be huge on the spot. You can make a reservation on the website: https://www.parkguellonline.cat/pg_muslinkIII/venda/index.jsp?lang=3&nom_cache=PARC&property=PARC&_ga=2.171838112.1208780007.1550560094-1211295186.1550560092

Park Güell reviews on TripAdvisor:  https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g187497-d190624-Reviews-Parc_Guell-Barcelona_Catalonia.html