Barcelona Citadel Park

The Parque de la Ciudadela de Barcelona was, for many years, the only public park in the town. It was built on the grounds of the old fortress of Barcelona on the occasion of the Universal Exposition of 1888 and Today it is one of its main green lungs where many citizens go to disconnect from the rush and traffic of Barcelona.

Origins of the Ciudadela Park

After the War of the Spanish Succession, the winning king Felipe V ordered the construction of the Castle of Montjuïc and a huge citadel that lasted until the Revolution of 1868, when a large part of the citadel was demolished and only the Palace of the Governor and the arsenal (current seat of the Catalan Parliament) and the chapel.

Two decades later, on the occasion of the Universal Exhibition of 1888, the beautiful park that we know today was built, for which it had the collaboration of the popular architect Antonio Gaudí. Thus it became the first park in Barcelona.

How to get to the Ciudadela Park?

The Parque de la Ciudadela is located in the neighborhood of La Ribera, specifically on Passeig de Picasso, 21. It opens its doors every day from 10 am to 22:30 pm. The easiest way to access it is through public transport, either by metro (Ciutadella and Vila Olímpica stops, line 4) or by bus (lines 14, 17, 36, 39, 40, 41, 42, 45, 51, 57, 59, 64, 141 and 157).

What to do in the Ciudadela Park?

The park is an oasis in the concrete jungle, a place where many Barcelonans go to relax and practice sports. Some of its most iconic spaces are:

• Monumental waterfall: It is a giant waterfall built by Josep Fontseré between 1875 and 1888 with the collaboration of Antonio Gaudí when he was still an architecture student. The set represents a structure in the shape of a triumphal arch with steps that border a pond preceded by a wide circular plaza. At the top of the monument, there is a statue of 'The Quadriga of Dawn' by Rossend Nobas.
• Greenhouse: It was the work of the architect Josep Amargós built on the occasion of the Universal Exhibition of 1888, but is currently in disuse and in a deplorable state of conservation. As it is listed as a Cultural Asset of Local Interest, the city council is going to resume the restoration work on the greenhouse so that it will look again in all its splendor.
• Gazebo for concerts: Formerly it was here where the municipal music band was located.
• Sculptures: Throughout the Citadel Park you can find several sculptures and monuments such as that of General Prim, the Monument to the Centennial of the Exhibition by Antoni Clavé or the sculpture of the Mammoth by Miquel Dalmau
• The lake: In this place you can rent rowboats with which to take a little walk.
• Arms square: This is one of the most important places in the park that was created in 1915 by the French engineer Forestier, in the center of which is a pond with a statue by Josep Llimona.
• The Umbracle: It is a very interesting space for botany lovers as there are some species over 100 years old.

Bird shelter

In the Ciutadella Park it is also a space for bird watching because together with the typical urban birds it also inhabits the largest colony of gray herons in Barcelona.