2 Euros Spain 2014: Park Güell

The Spanish coin of this year is dedicated to the Park Güell, following a series of the country's places declared World Heritage by the UNESCO. The park is located in Barcelona, one of the most popular cities of Spain.

The English word Park was used
instead of the Catalan one Parc or the Spanish Parque

The Park Güell fuses in a very original way modernist structures and nature. The park was inaugureted in 1914 and it has a wonderful view of the whole city. It was designed by the architect Antoni Gaudí.

Situation of Spain in Europe

The coin represents the two most typical elements of the park: the dragon in the entrance's stairs, the most famous symbol of Barcelona, and a smokestack, but it has a very original shape and nobody can even imagine what it really is. It is a pitty that the coin cannot show the real color of the elements, but it does show its rugosity and texture. On the left side we find the country's name (ESPAÑA, Spain in Spanish) and the year of emission (2014); on the right is the mint's symbol (a M with a crown) and the words PARK GÜELL – GAUDÍ. This is the first time that a Spanish coin from the Heritage series has the name of the element that is shown; however, perhaps the name of Gaudí should not appear on the coin, as it is the park and not the arquitect what the coin represents.

The elements shown in the coin: the smokestack and the dragon

Antoni Gaudí and the Count of Güell planned to build a luxurious urbanization away from the city center, but surrounded by nature and beauty. In the park design they manifested their ideologies: Catalan nationalism and Christianity. However, the project failed and only two of the dessigned houses were sold (one of them by Gaudí himself); the causes are not clear, but it is thought that this could be due to the distance from downtown and the lack of support by the bourgeoisie for an independentist project. The works started in 1900 and, although it only took six years to know it would not be successful, they kept working on it until 1914.

The two only houses,
on the left the one where Gaudí dwelt; today it is a museum

The main entrance is flanked by two modernist pavilions; they were designed so they look as if they came from a fairytale. One of them has a tower with a cross on the top that was damaged during the Spanish Civil War, but has been restored.

Entrace pavilions; on the right we see a detail of the cross

After the entrance we find the main stairs, where three different sculptures have been placed. One of them has got the Coat of Catalonia bordered by an hexagon, besides a lizard's head, but nobody knows its real meaning. However, the most famous fountain is the one with the dragon, that is a tribute to Nimes (France), the city where the Count of Güell lived when he was young.

Main stairs, with the most famous fountains

On the top of the stairs we find a space full of Doric columns, called the Hypostyle Room, which was supposed to be the urbanization's market. The ceiling is covered by white trencadis decorated with some rosettes. On the top of the outside columns we find leon's heads as gargoyles.

Hypostyle Room, with one the rosettes (up)
and the lion-headed gargoyles (down)

Above the lounge we find the Oval Square, with curved benches where we can enjoy the view of Barcelone and the sea. The most used colours are blue, green and yellow, which symbolize the faith, the hope and the charity; in the end the pink was also included (representing the Virgin) as well as some alegoric sentences in Latin and Catalan.

Aerial view of the Oval Square and different curved benches

Besides, Gaudí designed different viaducts to facilitate the communication throughout the park and he even planned a chapel on the highest side but, due to the urbanization's fail, it was substitued by something simpler called the Calvary.

The Calvary (up and right) and different viaducts all over the park

After the death of Güell and Gaudí, their heirs sold the park to the Barcelona City Hall and it could be visited by everyone; since the end of 2013 tourists must pay an entrance fee.

Nowadays this park is one of the most recognized symbols of Barcelona and it is a wonderful place to walk around enjoying its unique mixture of art and nature.

 © Text and coin pictures copyright belongs to Daniel Grimoir