natjtan Parc del la Ciutadella is one of my favourite parks in Barcelona. Some of the trees by the ping pong tables and woolly Mammoth are maybe hundreds of years old if going by the size of their trunks. Gnarly, twisted and beautiful to look at. The boating lake’s filled with ducks, geese, herons, cattle cranes seagulls, turtles, *goldfish and recent residents cormorants. Oh and bats in the summer! One thing Barcelona prides itself on is green spots throughout the city. Public parks for residents to connect with nature.
I personally prefer the quieter parts of the park and only found out via an Instagram friend stories that the council had finished the restoration of the L’Hivernacle del Parc de la Ciutadella. Located in a busier area of the park, close to El Borne in between the Castell dels Tres Dragons and Museu Martorell. I knew that the two museums had been closed for a while and I rarely go to that part of the park. To be honest I didn’t even know they were restoring it. I knew some type of work was being done but it had been disused and rusty for years.
Free and open to the public between 10.00 and 17.00 I went about 15 minutes before closing in January.
Looking up before heading up the steps all the original murals have been restored on the grand entrance. The city’s crest of arms is in the centre. I only noticed the shells lining the top while editing!
Built in 1887 for the 1888 Universal Exposition by Josep Amargós i Samaranch it was part of Josep Fontserè’s science programme. Valued for its tropical plants and for the building itself. Most of it’s made from wrought iron and glass. Decorative features from cast iron.
The city’s rose is high in the arches.
Last of the day’s sunlight.
The hivernacle on the left, known as Nau Magnòlies as soon as you walk in you’re know you’re in someplace tropical plant smelling humid. While for now it feels open space in a few years it’ll be filled with giant tropical plants and the ground lined with vibrant flowers. It was kinda crazy looking out the windows seeing the parks trees left to face the elements while the plants inside were protected and looked after.
The hivernacle to the right, or Nau Picasso has lesser plant beds more open space, I think designed as a meeting place. Both hivernacles are the same size and this one feels a lot bigger and if I’m honest not as inviting. The plants didn’t seem as happy. It would be a great place however for small events.
Thank you for stopping by!
*Sadly I think these goldfish have been illegally released with good intentions only for when the lake is drained for repairs, the seagulls fight mid air for them.