Parc del Laberint d'Horta

This park is home to the oldest garden in the city and is an example of the neoclassical gardens of the 18th century, with a touch of Italian physiognomy. Its name comes from the labyrinth of cypress bushes that is located at the lower part of the park.

It is possibly the most beautiful park in Barcelona. The gardens, the structure and the architecture make it the perfect place to lose oneself. Next to the famous labyrinth, the park has other small delights: views, places for reflection or for rest. Here we can find the Boxwood gardens, with their topiary art (figures); the Domèstic, which has a planting of camellias; the Molses (mosses); the Petit Laberint (small labyrinth); and the Romàntic, which, interestingly enough, closes its area with a false cemetery. Also worth noting is the romantic channel, at the end of which is the "Illa de l'Amor" (Island of Love).

The Parc del Laberint is laid out on three levels, or stepped terraces. On the top level is a reservoir that collects the water used to water the gardens. On the middle level are the temples with cupolas supported by Tuscan columns. And on the lower level is the labyrinth, the focal point of the park.

Acces of payment. Consult tariffs to the site www.bcn.cat or calling on telephone of civic information 010. Dogs banned from all the park.

Art and Architecture

At the centre of the labyrinth is a statue of Eros, which represents playful and carefree love. Here there are also symmetrical classical temples dedicated to Danaë and Ariadne. Also worth mentioning is the neoclassical pavilion, an elegant, austere rectangular structure where social events are held. Together with the reservoir, a statue of the water nymph Egeria stands over it all.

History

The park is on the grounds of an estate of the duke of Llupià, Poal and Alfarràs, a very erudite man who commissioned the work to the Italian Domenico Bagutti, who worked on it until 1808. French gardener Delvalet designed the plantings, with the Catalan master builder Jaume Valls supervising the work. The Desvalls family maintained the property until the 70s, when it was bought by the Town Council. It was opened as a public park in 1971, and a major restoration in 1994 transformed it into a garden museum.

Vegetation

There is a great variety of trees, most of which are catalogued. Some of these are: Holm Oaks (Quercus ilex), Tasmanian Blue Gums (Eucalytus globulus) and Strawberry Trees (Arbutus unedo), among many others. Especially noteworthy is the group of African Lilies (Agapanthus umbellatus), called the flower of love, whose blue flowers fill the Jardí Romàntic with colour. The camellias (Camellia sp) give the Jardí Domèstic colour, and the red cyclamens (Cyclamen sp) add a touch of colour to the park's entry.