Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Just inside the main entrance on Carrer d'Olot, immediately recognisable by the two
Hansel-and-Gretel gatehouses, is the park's newly refurbished Centre d'Interpretació, in the
Pavelló de Consergeria, which is a typically curvaceous former porter's home that hosts a
display on Gaudí's building methods and the history of the park. There are nice views from
the top floor.
Sala Hipóstila (The Doric Temple)
The steps up from the entrance, guarded by a mosaic dragon/lizard (a copy of which you can
buy in many central souvenir shops), lead to the Sala Hipóstila (aka the Doric Temple). This
forest of 88 stone columns - some leaning like mighty trees bent by the weight of time -
was originally intended as a market. To the left curves a gallery, with twisted stonework
columns and roof that give the effect of a cloister beneath tree roots - a motif repeated in
several places in the park. On top of the Sala Hipóstila is a broad open space. Its centrepiece
is the Banc de Trencadís, a tiled bench curving sinuously around its perimeter, which was
designed by one of Gaudí's closest colleagues, architect Josep Maria Jujol (1879-1949).
With Gaudí, however, there is always more than meets the eye. This giant platform was de-
signed as a kind of catchment area for rainwater washing down the hillside. The water is
filtered through a layer of stone and sand, and it drains down through the columns to an un-
derground cistern.
Casa-Museu Gaudí
The spired house above and to the right of the entrance is the Casa-Museu Gaudí, where
Gaudí lived for almost the last 20 years of his life (1906-26). It contains furniture he de-
signed (including items that once lived in La Pedrera, Casa Batlló and Casa Calvet) along
with other memorabilia. The house was built in 1904 by Francesc Berenguer i Mestres as a
prototype for the 60 or so houses that were originally planned here.
Much of the park is still wooded, but it's laced with pathways. The best views are from
the cross-topped Turó del Calvari in the southwest corner.
