Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Parc de la Ciutadella
Unfolding languidly just to the east of the old town, this green, tranquil oasis
provides a welcome respite from the city centre. Built in the late 1860s on the
site of a former military fortress
(ciutadella)
, the park was artfully designed to
offer Barcelona's citizens an experience of nature (shady corners, paths and
greenhouses), recreation (rowing boats on the lake) and culture (two
museums). The 1888 Universal Exhibition was held here and in preparation
the city's great
Modernista
architects were brought in
to work their magic. Lluís Domènech i Montaner
created the eye-catching
Castell dels Tres Dragons
(today the Zoological Museum) and a young Antoni
Gaudí helped design the flamboyant Cascade Fountain.
Top 10 Sights
1 Cascade Fountain
2 Arc de Triomf
3 Parc Zoològic
4 Llac
5 Antic Mercat del Born
6 Museu de Ciències Naturals
(Castell dels Tres Dragons)
7 Museu de Ciències Naturals
(Edifici Geologia)
8 Hivernacle & Umbracle
9 Parlament de Catalunya
0
Homenatge a Picasso
Statuary on the Cascade
Fountain
Pick up a picnic at
the bustling Santa
Caterina food market
(northwest of the
park), or have a drink
and a snack within
the colonial elegance
of the Hivernacle
café. If it's a hot day,
cool down with a
bowl of
gazpacho.
!
Cascade Fountain
One glimpse of this
Baroque-style fountain
(right)
and you'll guess
Gaudí had a hand in its
creation. Winged horses
with serpent tails rear over
a waterfall and cherubs
play amid jets of water.
• Main entrance:
Pg Pujades • Map R4
• Park: open 8am-
10:30pm daily; free; DA
• Zoo: open Nov-Feb:
10am-5pm daily; Mar-
May & Oct: 10am-6pm
daily; Jun-Sep: 10am-
7pm daily; €16, children
€10; DA • Museu de
Ciències Naturals
(Castell dels Tres
Dragons) & Museu de
Ciències Naturals (Edifici
Geologia): open 10am-
6:30pm Tue-Sat, 10am-
2:30pm Sun; €3.50 joint
ticket; DA
@
Arc de Triomf
The grandest entrance
to the park is the Arc de
Triomf
(above)
, designed for
the 1888 Exhibition by Josep
Vilaseca i Casanoves. Topping
the arch are angels tooting
horns and offering wreaths.
£
Parc Zoològic
These colourful flamingos are just some of the stars
at this child-friendly zoo, which also has pony rides,
electric cars and a train
(see p62)
.
16
For sights in the Barri Gòtic & La Ribera
See p70-73
