Located in one of the best neighborhoods of Barcelona, Gracia, yet tucked away from view, the Park de la Creueta del Coll welcomes every year thousands of tourists coming to relax in this haven of peace. The large park, famous for its huge public swimming pool, is surrounded by a lush landscape, mountains and decorated with works of arts. This is one of the most popular urban recreational areas of the city of Barcelona. This place is ShBarcelona‘s crush, because it brings together family and friends in a friendly and serene atmosphere, under the sun.
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Long before the construction of the park, a large controversy happened around the fate of the lands which used to be the old Coll quarry, located on the slopes of Collserola. After several years of debate and thanks to the inhabitants, the decision to create a public park instead of buildings was taken, to agree with the people of Gràcia. A wise decision, because since its inauguration in 1976, the Park de la Creueta del Coll is a great success for the residents, but mostly for tourists. Indeed, this 1.68 hectares urban garden has been turned into a recreation area by architects Oriol Bohigas, Josep Martorell and David Mackay. The lake turns into a huge public swimming pool in summer.
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The vast park is served by a ramp system, which allows visitors to move easily throughout the place and enjoy the lush landscape at the foot of the hills. The park welcomes a variety of trees: palms, cypresses, lime trees, acacias, plane trees, pine or willow; which offer a nice shaded area to visitors who wish to have a picnic. At the heart of the park, you will find entertainment devices and playing areas for children and adults such as sandboxes, table tennis, a pedestrian trail to access the Park Güell from another hidden entrance.
Related article: Children activities in Barcelona
Photo credit: king nikochan via Visual Hunt / CC BY
In the middle of this beautiful piece of green paradise, the huge lake, converted into a public swimming pool in summer, is the flagship of the Park de la Creueta del Coll. This shallow pool brings freshness to visitors during heavy summer heat in Barcelona, and is surrounded by terraces and patios for lounging under the shade. An artistic and no less impressive touch is added to this idyllic setting, and is a clear reference to Narcissus myth, in love with his own reflection. It is an stately sculpture of 54 tonnes by Eduardo Chillida, and called “In Praise of Water”. It is suspended above the lake with four solid steel cables that allow a slight oscillation.
Park de la Creueta del Coll alone offers a successful formula between landscape, swimming and art, to ensure a successful summer in Barcelona.
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