A stone garden (Artigus Gardens (Spain))

Member Name: mumsymary

Product:	Artigus Gardens (Spain)
Date:	31/08/08 (161 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: really fantastic art work

Disadvantages: none

Antonio Gaudí - was a Catalan architect who was born in 1852. I really like his work and have visited some of the sites that he is famous for in Barcelona,
This year we stayed in the Spanish Pyrenees near the town of la Pobla de Lillet. We caught a narrow gauge tourist train from Pobla de lillet this took us about 10 minutes to the Jardins Artigus. This is about 45 minutes by train from Barcelona

Antoni Gaudi was commissioned by Joan Artigas to design this garden near his factory. This garden was constructed between 1902 and 1910.
Stone masons and sculptures created the paths, arches, waterfalls, bridges, and sculptures. Gaudi's work blends in with the natural aspect of this site.

This garden is not a flower garden only a few flowers here the browns of the rock sculptures and the greens of the leaves compliment the rocky backdrop of the mountains beyond. Gaudi has used natural rocks.

On the train platform is a small kiosk where we paid 3 euros each to get into this garden. We entered the gardens by descending down some steps. As we went down the path we could see the garden it was a good view .We turned left and came to a waterfall and a relief of some stone pines some real trees in front off the stone trees complimented their shape. We came to a face of an ox that sprouted water through its mouth.

Following the path down we went into a "cave" structure it was cool, in here there are two entrances to this area and 2 opening to let some light in and to get a view of the river.


We went up steps to an ornate bridge crossing the river Llobregat this had two pillars at the entrance with plants in the top .This led to a sculpture of and eagle made with small stones that was fantastic the eagle looked as if it were about to take of . There were resting places at different levels to enable us to take the view of this park and the backdrop of mountains in. There are rails along this bridge that imitate tree trunks with bark.

Over the bridge there is a down hill zigzaggy path, this leads us to an area where there is a stone table and seat. From this the El Puente de los Arcos: bridge of arches crosses the river again this is a bridge with 5 arches made of stone at the either side of beginning of this bridge were sculpture of man and a woman each with a basket on their head . This bridge is truly an amazing piece of work we sat on the benches and drunk the sight in for a while.

The other side of the bridge took us back to the bottom of our entrance path again so we ascended back to the train.


Walking around the garden took us about 45 minutes the train went hourly so this was a good time to spend here.
There were not many other visitors when we went so it was quiet which was good as this is a tranquil spot one to look and wonder at the art. I found the stone work fascinating. The lines of the stone arches were perfect. I did not think these gardens suitable for a wheel chair user.

In the summer these gardens are open 10am till 7 pm from October to June they are open only weekends 10am till 5pm

Antoni Gaudi was commissioned by Joan Artigas to design this garden near his factory. This garden was constructed between 1902 and 1910.
Stone masons and sculpturers created the paths, arches, waterfalls, bridges, and sculptures. Gaudi's work blends in with the natural aspect of this site.

After 1932 the gardens were neglected and fell into disrepair it was not till 1971 that interest in these gardens were renewed.
Work to repair the gardens was commenced in 1992. We can now view these gardens and the sculptures designed by Gaudi.


Gaudi died in 1926 he was run over by a tram in Barcelona. Because he looked like a tramp with no money no one would take him to a hospital someone did eventually take him to a pauper's hospital when his friends found him the next day and tried to move him into a better hospital, Gaudi refused, reportedly saying "I belong here among the poor."

If you are in this area I would certainly recommend a visit to these gardens. They are a peaceful quiet place.

When I loooked for info on the enterence price I came across a good website http://www.gaudiallgaudi.com/AA019%20Artigas%20Gar dens.htm

Summary: A garden designed by Gaudi