Park de la Ciutadella

Built in the second 1/2 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 the just one in the city and one of the first to be designed especially to be used as a public park. In 1951 it was announced a monument of historic and inventive interest and is now said 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 city. A nice 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 big, enormous waterfall, a lake on which you can sail in tiny 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 high spot of which is El desconsol, a sculpture of a female naked by Josep Llimona in the middle of the pond at the centre of the plaa.
Passeig dels Tillers starts at the park’s most impressive entrance, at the end of a fabulous walk that starts with Passeig de Sant Joan, continues along Passeig de Llus Companys, at the head of which stands the wonderful 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 loaded in plant life, much more noteworthy given the incontrovertible 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 key species or the most exotic, of which there are a lot.

Over one hundred species of birds can be discovered in the park, including a massive colony of gray herons, the most important in Catalonia today. Classy and majestic, it is easy to spot them flying around the park, a good place for ornithology fans.

There also are well-liked sculptures, like the gigantic stone mammoth of 1907 and La dama del paraiges, above the decorative fountain, which for many 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 11 Sep 1714 and his victory in the War of Succession, had a massive fortress, or castle, built. To provide the mandatory land, the walls at the intense south end of the city were demolished, along with over 1000 houses in the Ribera community. If you want to visit this historic park, you can now rent an apartment thanks to Oh-Barcelona.com