The Parc de Monterols
formerly known as El Turo d'en Gil, owes its origin to the romantic garden owned by the family of the same name. The garden survived periods of speculation to preserve its mysterious charm intact, perhaps because of its difficult relief.
Designed by the architect Luis Riudor i Carol and covering an area of 1.94 hectares (4.8 acres) and opened as a public park in 1947. the site conserved its rustic character and the route of its winding, shady paths which cross the park and climb up to the top of the hill, at a height of 121 metres (400 feet).
On the other hand, in order to adapt it to meet modern needs, paths have been widened to install benches and children's playgrounds over the years. The addition of squares, avenues and stairs have made it more suitable for public use, as the original layout was aimed at private use.
This rustic wooded park has dense, varied vegetation, consisting largely of native species and others of rural origin. The range of tree species is evident, featuring carobs, cypresses, and flowering cherry trees, among others. The most outstanding tree, however, is an imposing cork oak which is listed as a tree of local interest.
Also of interest is the dens undergrowth, with an abundance of laurustinus, Japanese pittosporum and Italian buckthorn. There is also a space for aromatic plants.
The Parc de la Ciutadella
has been one of the main landmarks among the green spaces of Barcelona since the last quarter of the 19th century. This is because of its area, covering, 17.43 hectares (43 acres), and its contents. It was originally designed in 1872 by the master builder Josep Fontsere as one of Barcelona's first public parks. It has been altered over the years, including for the Universal Exhibition of 1888.
Of special interest are the landscaped gardens, including the waterfall, the lake and the bandstand, as well as the Placa d'Armes, the former parade ground. Created by the French landscape engineer Jean Claude Nicolas Forestier, and the tree-lined avenues. The park is rich in plants of different species, some of which are over a hundred years old.
The park was declared an artistic and historic monument in 1951. and is considered an open-air museum because of the number and quality of its sculptures. Outstanding among these are Mamut (Mammoth) by Miquel Dalmau (1907), Desconsol (Grief) by Josep Llimona (1903), a replica of the original (1984); the Prim Monument by Frederic Mares (1940), also a replica of the original (1882) by Lluis Puiggener; the Bust of Manuel Milai Fontanals by Manuel Fuxa (1908) or the only bust of a woman in the Parc de la Ciutadella, that of the painter Pepita Teixidor, which is also the work of Manuel Fuxa (1917).
The park features several interesting buildings:
- The Zoology Museum.
This building by Domenech i Montaner, known as El Castell dels Tres Dragons (the castle of the three dragons), is one of the those which survive from the universal exhibition of 1888.
- The Greenhouse.
Planned by Josep Amargos for the Universal Exhibition, this iron and glass structure has been restored on several occasions.
- The Geology Museum.
The work ofAntoni Rovira Trias, this was the first municipal building constructed to house a museum (1879-1882).
- The Shade House.
This was designed by Josep Fontsere and built by Josep Amargos (1883). It is an unusual building, which makes use of brick, wood and iron. The wooden lath structure provides shade for the subtropical plants.
- The Parlament.
Originally built as an arsenal for the former citadel by Prosper Verboom in the 18th century, it housed the museum of fine art, was the seat of the Catalar parliament during the Seconc Republic (1932) and once again performs this function today.
- The Waterfall.
Designed to Josep Fontsere for the Universa Exhibition of 1888, with some help from Antoni Gaudi. The sculptural work is by differen, Catalan artists of the late 19tt century.
