Park Güell

Antoni Gaudí, along with landowner Eusebi Güell visioned Park Güell as a modern housing estate with all the latest amenities, such as running water and heating. In 1900, Eusebi Güell hired Antoni Gaudí to design an upscale housing estate on the hillside. By 1903, Gaudí had completed key elements, including the two entrance pavilions, the steps, the viaducts, the outer walls, and a part of the large central square.

They planned to build 60 triangular plots, connected by paths, steps, and viaducts, but faced significant challenges due to strict building restrictions beacuse only 1/6 of the land could be developed. Finnaly a show home was constructed to attract buyers but complex sales conditions, lease terms, and poor transportation access made the project financially unfeasible. Its first plot of land was purchased by Martí Trias i Domènech, a lawyer and friend of Güell, who had architect Juli Batllevell build his villa. Even during Güell’s lifetime, Park Güell had already become one of Barcelona’s major tourist attractions. After Eusebi Güell’s death in 1914, the project was abandoned. In 1926, the City of Barcelona purchased the land and turned it into the public park we know today.