The Horta Labyrinth,
one of the best kept secrets in Barcelona
The Horta Labyrinth
in Barcelona is
quite easily one of the most charming gardens in the city and one of the very
few that have a hedge maze. It comprises the oldest historical garden in the
Catalan capital. A rarity that is definitely worth a visit and a place which
tourists usually don’t know about. The Horta Labyrinth is quite difficult to
just stumble upon as it is situated on the outskirts of the city beside the
small university campus of Mundet. On Wednesday and Sunday you can visit it for
free.
The Horta
Labyrinth, located in the Horta-Guinardó district, is situated in a former
residence of the Desvalls family, where even today, the old palace with its neo-gothic
and neo-Arab décor is found at the entrance. The Subirana Tower
can also be found within the complex, an old medieval defence tower.
The park,
extending over 9.1 hectares,
is divided into two parts, a neo-classical
garden and a romantic garden. You
will find sculptures on every corner, some of them with references to Greek
mythology and others with a rustic décor, as well as a large number of
fountains and ponds.
The
romantic garden resides in the shade of some large trees and has a series of flowerbeds
containing plants, herbs, flowers and ornamental shrubs. There is a cascade on
the north side of this section. Only a few of the remains from the original
design are left. It seems however that the romantic garden was built around the
theme of death, indicated by the presence of the old medieval graveyard that
now doesn’t exist.
The neo-classical
garden on the other hand, is believed to be a tribute to love, which comes as
no surprise given that throughout the garden, you will find cypresses and marble
statues related to the theme including the sculpture of Eros, located at the
centre of the labyrinth, amongst the most impressive. There are also the
statues of Theseus which according to Greek mythology defeated the Minotaur,
Ariadne who helped him out of the labyrinth, Artemis, Apollo’s twin sister and
Dánae, the mother of Perseus, amongst others, located in the gardens. Up the
stairs is another pavilion dedicated to the nine muses, topped with a sculpture
representing art and beauty. Behind the building there is a large pond with water
supplied by the fountain of the nymph Egeria who, according to legend, dissolved
into tears following the death of Numa Pompilio, to form a fountain.
The Horta
Park Labyrinth is a fascinating place where you can spend a quiet and pleasant time
in the company of your loved ones, surrounded by nature and by magnificent artworks.
Lara - Marketing Team
Map of the Horta Labyrinth Park in Barcelona
A: Public park
B: Neo-classical
garden
C: Romantic
garden
D: Boxwood and
domestic garden
E: Forest
1: Entrance
2: Palace and
tower
3: Boxwood garden
4: Domestic
garden
5: Lion square
6: Flower garden
7: Labyrinth
8: Terrace and
temples
9: Minotaur’s
grotto
10: Copse
11: Romantic
channel
12: Island of love
13: Neo-classical
pavilion and basin
14: Fountain of
the nymph Egeria
15: Cascade
16: Farmer’s
cabin
17: False
graveyard and hermitage of the monk
18: Former
oriental garden