Park de la Ciutadella
By Advisor. Filed in Florida |
Built in the second half the 19th century, Parc de la Ciutadella is one of the key green spaces in the city of Oh-Barcelona. For a number of years it was actually the just one in the town and one of the first to be designed especially to be used as a public park. In 1951 it was declared a monument of historical and inventive interest and is now thought to be an open-air museum, given the profusion and quality of its sculptures by Frederic Mars, Eusebi Arnau, Josep Clar, Josep Llimona, Pau Gargallo, Manuel Fux and others.
Today, Parc de la Ciutadella is one of the places with the most leisure and cultural activities in the town. A good example of this is the jazz program held each year between June and Sep. The park also contains museums, the Parliament of Catalonia and numerous sculptures.
The layout of the park is rather eclectic, winding, more natural lines combining with more classical, geometric shapes. Prominent features of the landscaping include the huge, gigantic waterfall, a lake on which you can sail in little rowing boats, and a summerhouse for music.
Another major feature of the park is the Plaa d’Armes, in front of the parliament building, which was designed in 1916 by the French civil engineer J.C.N. Forestier and the highlight of which is El desconsol, a sculpture of a female undressed by Josep Llimona in the middle of the pond at the center of the plaa.
Passeig dels Tillers starts at the park’s most spectacular entrance, at the end of a wonderful walk that starts with Passeig de Sant Joan, continues along Passeig de Llus Companys, at the head of which stands the superb Arc de Triomf, to the park gates, just in front of the Rius i Taulet monument. This is one of the most attractive urban sights in Barcelona.
Parc de la Ciutadella is rich in plant life, all the more notable given the undeniable fact that much of it was introduced at the end of the 19th century. There are several trees, palms and bushes which are identified so visitors can recognise the primary species or the most exotic, of which there are a lot.
Over one hundred species of birds can be found in the park, including an enormous colony of gray herons, the largest in Catalonia this day. Sublime and majestic, it is easy to spot them flying round the park, a handy place for ornithology enthusiasts.
There are also popular sculptures, like the gigantic stone mammoth of 1907 and La dama del paraiges, above the ornamental fountain, which for several years was one of Barcelona’s landmarks.
Parc de la Ciutadella is closely linked to Barcelona’s history. It is on the site where, in 1715, the Spanish King, Felipe V, following the city’s rendition on eleven Sep 1714 and his victory in the War of Succession, had an enormous fortress, or citadel, built. To supply the mandatory land, the walls at the intense south end of the town were demolished, along with more than a thousand houses in the Ribera neighbourhood. If you want to visit this historic park, you can now rent an apartment thanks to Oh-Barcelona.com
