Antoni Gaudí designed the Park Güell on El Carmel in Barcelona, completed in 1914. The site was originally a Garden City planned by Count Eusebi Güell. It was chosen for its view of the city and distance from smoky factories. Gaudi bought a home in the failed Garden City and transformed the site to a surreal architectural complex.
A formal arrangement begins with two buildings on either side of the entrance. A grand staircase weaves around a mosaic of a salamander. A sea serpent winds around to form sitting areas. Natural-looking and classical columns hold up intrusions into the earth.
(futureshape– flickr/creative commons license)
(dsearls– flickr/creative commons license)
(alf.melin– flickr/creative commons license)
(Cha già José– flickr/creative commons license)
(G Experiència– flickr/creative commons license)
(Henrique B Costa– flickr/creative commons license)
(hammershaug– flickr/creative commons license)
