History and Origins of Parc de la Ciutadella

What used to be an old citadel of the XVIII century, is now one of the most iconic gardens of the city. It is one of the most popular and well-known parks in the city, and features a wide variety of recreational and cultural attractions.

In the old times, Barcelona was trapped inside big walls that were defending the city from outsiders but was also limiting the growth and expansion of the city itself. For military purposes, Barcelona was surrounded by a fortress in Montjuic and a huge citadel on the other extreme.

But in 1841 the authorities decided to turn down the citadel and in 1888, due to the international world fair, the whole are was rebuilt with many buildings, gardens and statues. Today in this area you can find the Parliament of Catalonia, many historical buildings and even the zoo.