Park Güell

Historical narrative

Park Güell is a landmark in Barcelona and one of the most imaginative creations of Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. Commissioned by wealthy industrialist Eusebi Güell, the project began in 1900 as an ambitious residential garden-city development for affluent families. Gaudí designed the development around the natural landscape, incorporating winding pathways, stone viaducts, columns, colorful mosaics, and fanciful buildings. The residential project ultimately failed commercially, and the property was transformed into a public park in 1926. Gaudí’s extensive use of trencadís, a technique incorporating broken pieces of ceramic and tile, gives Park Güell its distinctive colors and textures. In 1984, UNESCO designated Park Güell a World Heritage Site as part of the “Works of Antoni Gaudí.”

Oil

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