Parc Guell

At the turn of the 20th Century, the wealthy Count Eusebi Guell envisioned a Moderniste housing development on the side of a hill above Barcelona that would provide fresh air away from the factories of the city.  He commissioned Antoni Gaudi to design the development using the English "garden city movement" as his model.  Hence,  Parc Guell was born.  It was originally intended as a site for 60 luxury homes but the idea was a flop and today only 2 houses are standing, neither which were designed by Gaudi.   It stands today as a municipal garden and one of the most popular spots in all of Barcelona for locals and tourists alike.  Despite the rain, the day we visited was no exception. The dragon (the symbol of Barcelona) greets you and while there are many quiet areas in the park, its main appeal is the long undulating and colorful snake bench made of one long ceramic mosaic. It is an excellent backdrop for photos and views of the city all the way to the sea.

After his work on Parc Guell, Gaudi devoted the rest of his life to his opus, La Sagrada Familia church.