Parc Güell, Barcelona

Close by the entrance, with its beautiful iron gate, is a porter's house built in a fluid style, decorated with a tower and largely covered in colored majolica. This is at the bottom of a twin set of symmetrical steps leading up to a hall with columns. It is divided by a fountain, with the main emphasis on a brightly-colored salamander-like animal in majolica.The columned hall to which the steps lead displays elements of the Greek Doric style; the outside rows of columns lean noticeably inwards, to counteract the sideways force exerted by the vaulted roof. Between the capitals of the rather gloomy and archaic-looking columns can be seen some rich polychrome decoration made of ceramic and glazed mosaics. On the roof of this hall a wide, flat area has been laid out, the surrounding wall of which forms a long, wavy seat. This curved wall-line results in a number of individual, semi-closed conversation seats. Here visitors can observe the original decoration of multi-colored ceramic fragments which completely covers the seats. The terrace offers a panoramic view of the city and the sea.In the park are a number of other features designed by Gaudí: colonnades, viaducts, grottoes, etc.