Built on the site of the old fortress of the Ciudad Condal, it was, for many years, the only public park in the city. A marvel for both tourists and residents, it is undoubtedly a pleasant place to visit where the noise and pace of the city fade away for a while.
A bit of history
During the time of King Philip V (1715), a military fortress stood here. Years later, in 1869, General Prim ordered the demolition of that structure and the return of the land to the city. Prim’s vision was to turn the area into a public park, and it remains so to this day, making it the first public park in Barcelona.
Monuments and art in the area
Not only is it a stunning place because of its natural beauty, but there are also monuments and works of art that enhance the scenery. Among them, you’ll find the Parlament, the Cascada Monumental, the Castle of the Three Dragons, remains of the old citadel, the Greenhouse, the Martorell Museum, the Umbracle, and many sculptures scattered throughout.
As if that weren’t enough, some of the trees in the park are centuries old. In particular, there is an Albizia julibrissin (silk tree), an Australian pine, a specimen of Quercus polymorpha (a type of white oak), and several bald cypress trees located by the lake. These were all planted between the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
“If you visit Barcelona in the summer, don’t forget to bring sunscreen and a bottle of water to stay hydrated. The park is the perfect spot to cool off and spend an unforgettable day with family or friends, enjoying nature at its finest”