Barcelona: Park Güell
Park Güell has an interesting history and was commissioned by Eusebi Güell (pronounced Goo-eh) in 1900. He and Antoni Gaudí envisioned a gated community for Barcelona’s rich movers and shakers. In 1900 the park was in the countryside, away from the hustle and noise of busy Barcelona. These days the park is within the city limits, though it isn’t centrally located. There were to be 60 houses in Eusebi Güell’s gated community, in addition to a large square, market area and other services needed to sustain the population.
However, Barcelona’s elite was not interested in Eusebi Güell’s plan, and only two of the 60 houses were built. WWI and the lack of interest saw the project abandoned in 1914, and eventually, in 1922, the city turned the land into a public park.
In the park you can also see the house where Gaudi himself lived, although interestingly it was not designed by him, nicknamed the ‘pink tower’, from 1906 until 1925. When Gaudí left the ‘pink tower’ he moved to La Sagrada Família and lived on site there until he was run over and killed by a tram in 1926. He was dressed humbly, not like a man of wealth during that time, and therefore laid there unrecognized and no one stopped to help him. Sad ending to their beloved artist.
If you go to the park before 8am there are way less people and entrance is free! This is really the best timing to see the park.
