A lake and a majestic fountain are among the highlights in this urban park that stands on the site of the city’s former fortress.
Dating back to the mid 1800s, the Parc de la Ciutadella is the most historic and central park in Barcelona. It has a varied and picturesque layout, including a zoo, several intriguing architectural structures and water features. After examining the many delights of the city center, visit Parc de la Ciutadella for a few hours of rest.
Stroll with your family around the edge of the park’s lake and spot the ducks. Take shelter from the heat in the shaded woodland area and study the plants in the greenhouse. Watch the powerful jets of the impressive fountain. The large Cascada monument features tiers of flowing water.
On the edge of the park find the Castillo de los Tres Dragones, part of the Museum of Natural Science. Head inside the museum to see intriguing exhibits on geology and animals. The whale skeleton makes quite an impression.
At the opposite side of the park, meet more animals at the Barcelona Zoo, which was once famous worldwide for its albino gorilla, Snowflake, who died in 2004. Bring your family on a guided tour to learn about the animals and let your kids participate in some of the frequent workshops.
The park was for many decades the only large green space in the city after it was laid out in the 19th century. In 1868, the fortress here was demolished and the citadel became the park we see today. Admire the historic buildings, revived vestiges from the former citadel, dotted around the park. The old Governor’s Palace, the chapel and the arsenal today house the Catalan Parliament.
The Parc de la Ciutadella is a little northeast of the El Raval zone in Barcelona’s historic center. Get a bus to one of the park’s corners or ride the metro to the Arc de Triomf station. Make sure to see other nearby sights such as the Parc de l’Estació del Nord and the Palau de la Música Catalana.
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