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Parc Güell (Güell Park) Description: Created by the renowned Spanish architect, Antonio Gaudí between 1900 and 1914, Parc Güell is a fantasy land that combines the natural and the man-made. The park was originally conceived as a residential garden city and built for Gaudí’s patron, Eusebi Güell Bacigalupi, a textile manufacturer who had a keen interest in the arts and helped develop the architect’s career. The project was not a great commercial success, however, and the park became municipal property in 1923. Covering a hill to the north of Barcelona and offering excellent views of the city, the park has fantastic pavilions, stairways and columned halls. Highlights include the organic plaza, decorated with stunning broken-mosaic work (trencadís), designed by Gaudí’s assistant, Josep Maria Jujol, and the giant lizard that divides the grand stairway and is the most photographed symbol of the park. Casa-Museu Gaudí, which houses a collection of Gaudí’s furnishings and other memorabilia, stands at the bottom of the hill. Designed by Francesc Berenguer in 1905, the building is Gaudí’s former residence in the park, where he lived for the last 20 years of his life. Contact Addresses: Casa-Museu Gaudí, Park Güell, Carrer del Carmel, s/n 08024, Barcelona, Spain Tel: (093) 219 3811. Fax: (093) 284 6446. E-mail: parcsijardins@mail.bcn.es Website: www.bcn.es/parcsijardins Transportation: Air: Barcelona International Airport. Rail: Underground: Vallcarca or Lesseps. Road: Bus: 24 or 25. Opening Times: Park and Museum: Daily 1000-1745 (Oct-Mar); daily 1000-1945 (Apr-Sep). Admission Fees: Park: Free. Museum: EUR3/Pta500. 
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