Barcelona - Parc Güell

In the Vallcarca district of Barcelona, between Eixample and Tibidabo, on the side of a hill lies Parc Güell, laid out between 1900-14. It was designed by Antoni Gaudí, who also had his house here. The rather difficult climb can be avoided by taking the escalator on the right of the Avinguda de l'Hospital (to the northwest of the Lesseps metro).

Along the southeastern wall (Carrer Olot) some brightly-colored majolica medallions spell out the name of the park.

Must-see attractions nearby:

Parc Güell

Casa Milà (La Pedrera)

Palace of Music

Cathedral

La Rambla / Las Ramblas

Columbus Monument

Fundació Joan Miró

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.