This will be my last post about Barcelona...after all, we've been back almost two weeks. But the city had so many charms and was extremely photogenic, so I can't resist adding just one last post about a couple of the beautiful (and very expansive) open spaces. Here you'll see images of two very lovely parks.
The first is in the Parc de La Ciutadella, Barcelona's central park, located in lower Barcelona, near to the sea. It has a really fantastic fountain of monumental proportions, a zoo, a lake for boating and endless walking paths.
At the center of the park is the Catalan Parliament building, still used by the government.
At the other extreme of the city, in the Zona Alta, there is the Parc Güell. It is situated in the most northern part of Barcelona, which is more residential and quite steep. The park is a UNESCO world Heritage Site. You find there numerous shady walkways, sun-lite terraces, and plenty of Gaudi's organic mosaic creations. It is a very popular place for people to congregate. It is quite a hike to get from the metro, which leaves you out at the bottom of the hill, up through the precipitous streets leading to the Park, but it is well worth the effort, for the view points afford an incredible panorama of both the city and the sea beyond.
The park is named for Gaudí's patron Eusebio Güell, who encouraged and commissioned the architect to create some of his most dramatic buildings, including his fantastical church Sagranda Familia. Gaudí helped to develop the park. I think it's safe to say that it's truly unique.
Casa Museu Gaudí is located at the foot of the park. It was originally built in 1904, but Gaudí made it his home from 1906 until he died in 1926. The house was bought, restored and became a museum to honor Gaudí in 1963.
My next post will bring us back to France, where it is definitely spring!
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