Wednesday, February 22, 2012

In One Ear and Out the Other


The differences between the Botanical Gardens on Montjuic and the park of the Ciutadella are vast.  One can spot them immediately.  One major difference is that the park of the Ciutadella is part of the Barcelona urban fabric, while the gardens are more of the natural landscape of the less groomed Montjuic.  While the park of the Ciutadella is very controlled and straight cut, the Montjuic gardens are much more free, interrupted only by obscure paths that wind in and out of the mountains trees and flowers.

The feelings of the two “Ears” of Barcelona vary as well.  When walking through the Ciutadella, one still feels enclosed by the city. Buildings are visible on all sides, some of which are inside the park itself. Walking through, one never has to change their path. The park is laid out in a way that follows the grid of the Exaimple, giving the traveler the sense that they never left the city.

On the other hand, the Montjuic Botanical Gardens gives a whole different feel.  When one enters the gardens, they feel they have been isolated from the city, catching only glimpses of its marvelous view whenever there is a break in the trees.  Accompanied by total quiet and tranquility, the walker moves through the gardens without the distractions of a city and feels much more willing to get lost in the sea of green.

While the Citutadella provides a very urbanistic experience in its landscape design, the Botanical Gardens provide peace and quiet. Depending on the traveler’s mood, either could be properly fitting to the situation at hand. 


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