Parc Guell - Gaudi's Fantasy (Parc Güell)

Member Name: karenroach

Product:	Parc Güell
Date:	16/06/09 (7 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Magical Place

Disadvantages: Only go by train if you are really fit!

Parc Guell is on the hill of el Carmel in the Gràcia district of Barcelona on the outskirts of Barcelona. Travel on the train to Lesseps and walk along Travessera de Dalt and then up Av del Santhuari de Sant Josep de la Muntanya (bit of a mouthful) Only go by train if you are very physically fit, if not, drive or get a taxi.. When you get off the train you will have to walk 100 yards on the flat, the rest is uphill all the way. From the road, the park is reached by climbing up a road on a very steep incline. When you think you are almost there, you look up and see a series of flights of steps till you get to the top. When you reach the top, just before you collapse from exhaustion and lack of oxygen, turn around and look across Barcelona to see the most amazing breathtaking view.

Entrance to the Parc is free. Inside the entrance to the Parc you will walk along lush trees and vegetation, all the while catching glimpses of beautiful but slightly strange structures. You will walk through some surreal prehistoric looking stone walkways built on collonades that look like piles of stones shaped like stalagtites. These stalagtites were built by the Parc's creator Gaudi little over 100 years ago.

The walkways and paths all lead to openings full of buildings and sculptures, all completely different in style. Gaudi used different kinds of materials like a rainbow assortment of broken tiles, ceramics and stained glass in an unusual way. He did not feel constrained to make symmetrical conventional proportioned buildings. Each of his buildings is like a work of art. His buildings are dotted all around Barcelona.

The Centrepiece of the Parc is a structure built into the side of an incline. At its bottom, there is a Dragon sitting above a pond. Tourists sit her to have their photos taken with the Dragon. Steps lead up above the Dragon to a wonderful auditorium supported by rows of columns. You may be fortunate enough to find a musician playing there. You will certainly find children playing hide and seek behind the forest of columns.

More steps lead up to a large open sand covered area where people sit and play. Sellers hawk their wares and every one relaxes. Running around most of the perimeter is a ledge that forms a seat and parapet decorated with broken ceramic tiles that glint in the sun. From this vantage point, you can see the whole of the city. It is a breathtaking place.

The whole Parc is evocative of a Doctor Seuss alternative world. If you love quirky sculpture and art, or if you just want a bit of escapism to release you inner child, Parc Guell is the place for you.

Summary: Well worth the climb!