Parc de la Ciutadella

Barcelona’s Old Town grew around the features of La Rambla with it’s wide avenue leading to the sea, the Barri Gotic with its winding streets, La Ribera and it’s amazing mansions, and the Parc de la Ciutadella which features several huge, important museums of art and culture.

The Parc de la Ciutadella has a long and interesting history. Originally this was a fortress designed in the shape of a star, in 1715 by Prosper Verboom (possibly a Dutchman?) for then King Felipe V. The Citadel was built to be used by his forces against the Bourbon kings. Following an 18 month seige, the fortress fell, and eventually became a hated symbol of oppression for the local Catalunyans under the Napoleonic regime – as a prison.

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Castell de Montjuïc on the top of the hill

This large park and exhibition area lies at the foot of Barcelona occupying a big hill overlooking the harbor and city. On top of the hill is an old fort, Castell de Montjuïc, which contains a military museum, a good outdoor self-service cafe, lots of guns still facing out to sea, and some of the best views in the whole city.

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Antoni Gaudí designed this park around 1900, as a residential area surrounded by nature. Gaudí lived here while he worked on his many projects in Barcelona. Famed around the world, Park Güell incorporates Gaudí’s flamboyant style into a well-planned, well-used public space. Lush gardens, winding paths, fanciful buildings, open spaces, mosaic patterns, angular columns, colorful fountains all compete for your attention. The park is a photographer’s delight with so many vantage points, each yielding splendid views of the park’s attractions, and the city itself.

One of many unusual features in Parc Güell

The Casa Museu de Gaudí is the house where Gaudí lived while working on his many projects he did not design it, however. It’s been turned into a museum, and can be visited most days. Hand-carved ornate woodwork, purple marble, and Gaudí’s own furniture are highlights of this museum. Surprisingly, Gaudí’s own bedroom, with a small single bed, and austere furnishings are a sharp contrast to his public works. Perhaps the man did most of his dreaming elsewhere…

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