In addition to being one of Barcelona’s oldest gardens, the Parc del Laberint d’Horta (also known as Horta’s Labyrinth Park) is also one of the city’s best-kept secrets. It is a fantastic place to go away to the greenery, perched high above the city in the hills of the Horta region.
The 14th-century Torre Soberana, home to the Desvalls family, is the first thing guests see when they approach the grounds. Exquisite Islamic carvings and beautiful arched windows and doors are only a few of the 19th-century additions that give this building its distinctive Moorish Arabesque design. While guests are not permitted inside, they may still enjoy looking in through the gates and taking photographs.
History of Parc del Laberint d’Horta – Barcelona’s Labyrinth Park
The gardens were constructed in 1792 according to plans drawn out by Italian engineer Domenico Bagutti for the estate’s owner, Joan Desvalls, the Marquis of Llupià and Alfarràs.
A lovely garden, waterfall, flowerbeds, and tiny plazas or squares were created by the Marquis’ successors in the nineteenth century under the supervision of architect Elies Rogent. Cultural celebrations and outdoor theatrical performances were also commonplace during this period.
Following the Desvalls family’s decision to donate the park to the city of Barcelona in 1967, the area was made publicly accessible in 1971. You may find your own little oasis among the 55 hectares of sculpted gardens, forests, paths, meadows, ponds, and waterfalls that make up the modern gardens.
How to get out of the labyrinth in Parc del Laberint d’Horta
The labyrinth, designed in the neoclassical style, serves as the focal point of the gardens. The maze’s entrance is guarded by a statue of Theseus, king of Athens, and Ariadne, the daughter of Minos, the legendary king of Crete.
When you finally make it through the maze of cypress hedges and dead ends, and false turns, you’ll be rewarded with a statue of Eros, the Greek god of love. When you emerge from the tunnel, you’ll find a garden with ponds, waterfalls, Tuscan columns, and magnificent pavilions depicting Roman temples. The nine muses, the Greek mythological goddesses of inspiration for writers, artists, and scientists, have their own pavilion on the roof.
Keep your eyes peeled for impressive architectural details and busts of various personalities as you go, such as Dionysus, the god of fertility, wine, and the arts. On a hot summer day, the maze and picture ops near the pavilions might get crowded, but the shaded woodland sections and trails through the flower beds and ponds are frequently peaceful and uncrowded.
Highlights of Parc del Laberint d’Horta
Located in the heart of the Horta and Guinardó neighborhood, this park is the crowning green achievement of the area. The estate’s owner, Joan Desvalls, the Marquis of Llupià and Alfarràs, commissioned Italian engineer Domenico Bagutti to create it in 1792.
A romantic garden complete with flower beds, small squares, tall trees, and a waterfall was added to the grounds by the marquis’s descendants under the direction of architect Elies Rogent, making this the oldest garden in Barcelona and a matchless example of artistic gardening.
A park with a romantic touch thanks to its forested environment, it spans 55 hectares, 9 of which are manicured gardens designed in the style of the popular neo-classical gardens of the period. There are several secret spots on the grounds to explore, some of which have statues of legendary beings.
A linden tree and a Himalayan cedar, both of which are included in the Catalogue of Trees of Local Interest, are just two of the many trees in the park that are on the list. There is also a Jupiter tree, a camelia plantation, evergreen oaks, and sequoia. A waterfall and stream complement the picturesque canal, which was once actually navigable.
The Torre Soberana, a country house originally built in the 14th century and renovated in the 19th and ornamented in the Arabesque style, is also located in the park. The park got its name from the maze that was built out of pollarded cypress trees, and it serves as a gathering place for people of all ages who come to this picturesque location at the base of Collserola Ridge.
Conclusion
The park (Parc del laberint d’Horta) is the oldest park in Barcelona that is still in use today. This park was built as a historical garden towards the end of the 18th century.
The park’s maze is the inspiration for the neoclassical design of the park. The park, and the maze in particular, is fantastic for families, but on other days it may be a peaceful oasis in the middle of Barcelona. This park in the Horta-guinardó neighborhood is popular with both residents and tourists.
