Park Güell is where Gaudí turned his attention to landscape gardening. Originating in 1900 when Count Eusebi Güell purchased a hillside property, he hired Gaudí to create a miniature garden city of houses for the affluent.The project was later abandoned in 1914, but by that point, Gaudí had already created 3km of roads and walks, steps and a plaza in his unique style, in addition to the two Hansel-and-Gretel-esque gatehouses on Carrer D’Olot.
After you go up the steps at the front entrance, a mosaic dragon-lizard guards the Sala Hipóstila, a forest of 84 stone columns intended to represent a market. On top of the Sala Hipóstila is a large, open space where the Banc de Trencadís, a tilted bench curving around its perimeter, attracts people of all ages to plop a squat and enjoy the panoramic views out over Barcelona.
