Grey and dark. Is the current reality seen through my windows. Makes you want to hibernate. Alternatively getting lost in reminiscing about sunnier days (even though I’ve just been to such a spot. Sad, eh?). Came across some photographs I took in Parc de la Ciutadella when visiting Barcelona in 2021. A much lovelier scenario. This park is great to stroll around in and offers more than just a huge zoo. Being a person into dilapidated garden structures, I was fascinated by the rundown shade house (Umbracle).
Shade house (Umbracle) – Parc de la Ciutadella Barcelona
It says that this structure is temporarily closed. Depends on your definition I suppose, but I think it will be closed for some time. It’s in rather urgent need of TLC. In addition to the one given by homeless people utilising the environ (at least when I was there). It was built from 1883 to 1887 in order to shelter tropical plants from the sun. A fabulous structure, I hope management will attend to care matters sooner rather than later.
The Umbracle, Parc de la Ciutadella, Barcelona
The site of Parc de la Ciutadella used to be a fortress. It was inaugurated in 1872 as a contemporary park. This formed part of the local authority’s desire to drag Barcelona out of a provincial and unprogressive existence. In connection with the 1888 Exposición Universal de Barcelona the park was redesigned with the addition of sculptures and other complementary works of art (and the Umbracle).
Supersized elephant in the Barcelona Park
Today, anyone would be struggling to call the appearance of the park contemporary. To me it has a strong vibe of historical about it. There’s nothing wrong with that. The amazing, mature greenery would not been seen otherwise. It would not have had a “lived-in” character. The amount of people visiting shows that this is a hugely popular place.
The lake in Parc de la Ciutadella in Barcelona.
The fountain in Parc de la Ciutadella, Barcelona
