Parc del Laberint d’Horta
There’s a hidden gem in Barcelona that not many visitors or tourists know about. Many citizens from Barcelona know a place where you can enjoy the park, and lose yourself literally, because the most important thing in this park is the labyrinth found in its heart.
Welcome to the Parc del Laberint d’Horta, also known as Horta’s Labyrinth Park.
Where is the Parc del Laberint d’Horta?
You can find the park in Horta, one of the upper neighborhoods in Barcelona. It’s one of the most warming neighborhoods, since it’s not pretty close to the center of the city, but it is a growing place for students, specially medical, since the Hospital de Sant Pau is quite close there.
Horta-Guinardó district is also one of the oldest in the city, next to Collserola ridge, you will find a great park with a 18th century neoclassical garden and also a 19th century romantic garden.
History of the Parc del Laberint d’Horta
At 1791, marquis Joan Antoni Desvalls I d’Ardena owned the lot where now is the Parc del Laberint d’Horta. With the help of Italian architect Domenico Bagutti, he designed and created a neoclassical garden.
In the 19th century, some decades later, the marquis’ descendants wanted to expand the park, so hired Elies Rogent, an important architect, to do it. Then came the romantic garden with huge trees, flower beds and the waterfall, one of the most magical places In the park.
What’s in the Parc del Laberint d’Horta?
The most important part of the park, the biggest attraction is the labyrinth. Once you enter you will lose yourself pretty quickly. But don’t worry, it’s not as big to never be able to go out. Eventually you will find the center piece, a quiet and small square where you can relax yourself before you try to go out.
But there are more spaces to enjoy in this park: the two Italian-style pavilions, the great stairs (with an awesome view of the park and part of Barcelona), and the sculptures dedicated to the nine muses.
Things you didn’t know about the Parc del Laberint d’Horta
Did you know that the gardens hosted receptions to Spain’s sovereigns 3 times?
The Parc del Laberint d’Horta also is a very great stage, because they have performed many plays in there. For instance, poet Joan Maragall represented classic plays, like the tragedy Iphigenia in Tauris by Goether, directed by Adrià Gual and translated by Joan Maragall.
Also, the Parc del Laberint d’Horta has been the stage for a movie: Perfume: The Story of a Murderer, directed by german director Tom Tykwer.
How to go to the Parc del Laberint d’Horta?
Since it’s not the most famous attraction of the city, you may have some doubts about how to go there. It’s not very far from the city, but it’s in a big height, so we recommend you the most used transports in the city: the underground / metro and the bus. The bus will take you right into the door, and the metro a bit far, but not much.
However you go, do not forget to visit the Parc del Laberint d’Horta, you will know a side from Barcelona that not many tourists can see.