Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Parc de la Creueta del Coll
Pg.delaMaredeDeudelColl77•Daily10am-dusk•Free•Bus#28fromPl.deCatalunya,viaPg.deGrácia,
stops 100m from the park, or El Coll/La Teixonera
There couldn't be a greater contrast with Parc Güell than Horta's
Parc de la Creueta del
Coll
, a contemporary urban park by Olympic architects Martorell and Mackay that was laid
out on the site of an old quarry. You're greeted at the top of the park steps by an Ells-
worth Kelly metal spike, while suspended by steel cables over a reflecting pool is a massive
50-tonne concrete claw by the Basque artist Eduardo Chillida. There's a stand of palm trees
by a small artificial lake, which becomes a summer swimming pool, and concrete promen-
ades and picnic areas under the sheer quarry walls.
Combining the park with a visit to Parc Güell is easy, too, though you'll need a keen sense
of direction to find it from the rear exit of Parc Güell - it helps if you've climbed to the top
of Güell's three-crosses hill and fixed in mind the quarry walls, which you can see across the
valley. It's far easier to visit Parc de la Creueta del Coll first, then walk back down the main
Passeig de la Mare de Deu del Coll until you see the signpost pointing down c/Balears (on
your left) - from there, signposts guide you into Parc Güell the back way.
Parc del Laberint
Pg. dels Castanyers 1-17 • Daily 10am-dusk • Free • Mundet: use the Pg. Vall d'Hebron (Muntanya) exit,
walkupthemainroadandagainstthetrafficflowfor1min(pastthesportspitches)andturnleftintothegrounds
of the Velòdrom (cycle stadium)
HalfadozenstopsfurtheroutonthemetrofromGràcia,andconfrontedbytheroaringtraffic
on the Passeig Vall d'Hebron, it seems inconceivable that there's any kind of sanctuary to
hand,butjustacoupleofminutes'walkfromMundetmetroputsyouatthegatesofthe
Parc
del Laberint
, sited behind the cycle stadium. The former estate mansion is now used by the
city's parks and gardens department, while the late eighteenth-century gardens (the oldest in
the city) are open for public visits and are an enchanting spectacle. A series of shady paths,
terraces, pavilions and water features embrace the hillside, merging with the pine forest bey-
ond.Attheveryheart oftheparkisthefamed topiary maze, ElLaberint, created bytheMar-
quis de Llupià i Alfarràs and designed as an Enlightenment puzzle concerning the forms of
love. A statue of Eros in the centre is the reward for successfully negotiating the maze. Near
the park entrance are a drinks kiosk, picnic area and children's playground.
