Perhaps the madman side of Gaudi emerged with his effort at Parc Guell. This massive undertaking was supposed to create a new settlement but it failed to gain support from the high class clientele it was aimed at. Parc Guell is named after one of Gaudi's biggest patron, Count Guell. In 1900 a rocky hill called Bare Mountain was subdivided into 60 lots and a grand new garden city development started. Two houses were built and in 1904 one was put up for sale but no one would buy it. Count Guell encouraged Gaudi to buy it, which he did. The Count moved into the other house in 1906. No other houses were built and in 1914 the idea of a new settlement was abandoned and by 1924 it was donated to Barcelona as a park. It is a USESCO world heritage site and we really loved it!
The Count's house
A not to the church
Gaudi's Cathedral still being built after 100 years. It was started in 1882
The shapes are fantastic and whimsical at the entrance to the park
A castle like tower adjacent to the park
Beautiful iron work
A series of paths were built with supports that look like palm trees
A large open area
This is the house that Gaudi purchased
Lots of crosses
the Gatekeeper's house
Mosaics everywhere
The press of people down by the gate area was insane
Looking down at the crowds
An iguana
These look like cobras
The greenery gives much shade to the traveler
Overkill in the columns
They support the open area and the top is surrounded by benches
Big and beefy columns that go on and on
Mosaic on the ceilings between the columns
Looking out through the columns
Many large tile structures in the entrance area
Folks were lined up to get a picture
The tile does not end
Concave tiles with great detail
So many people
Looking back uphill to the columns
Catalonia colors in the tile
Walkways, towers and plants
Birds flying by
These viaducts were designed to support carriages moving through the park
Layers of viaducts with bird nests built into the structures
Walking under the top level
Looking out to Barcelona
We got to say hi to Fleck the greyhound
The plants on the top make these stone pillars look like palms
Great views of the sea from the top of Park Guell
Two tiers of columns like a switchback on a mountainside
we kept hearing this unusual bird call. It was melodious and reminded me of the NZ bell birds. It turns out that these bird whistles were the source.
Yet another incredible detail
The brick work is amazing
The house of Count Guell
