You’ve ‘done’ Barcelona.  Now what? (Part Two)

Nobody could accuse Barcelona of being a spot of ‘rus in urbe‘.  Oh, it’s tremendously good at public open space to relax in and at tree lined streets.  But shady expanses of groves and avenues of trees, of busy little streams and placid ponds?  Not so much. 

Except for one place, quite unique in the city.  The Parc del Laberint d’Horta (Labyrinth Park of Horta) has been here since 1791, when the Desvalls family had it built as a Neoclassical park, and one featuring a maze – hence the park’s name – and any number of classical statues of Greek deities.  In the mid 19th century a more free-flowing Romantic woodland park was added.  And in the 1960s it became a public park, hidden from the view of many of the city’s inhabitants, let alone tourists.  It costs the very odd sum of 2.23 Euros to get in, except on Wednesdays and Sundays when it’s free: or if your an old fogey like me, it’s always free.

Come with me for a stroll.  When we feel up to it, we’ll attempt the maze.  They say it’s harder than it looks.

We’ll begin with a rather hearty climb among woodland glades interspersed with pretty reflective pools.

Soon, we realise we must have skirted the very heart of the garden, now lying below us.

Oh look. There are balustrades, and statuary, and pavilions and … that must be the maze in the centre? Let’s go along and look.

A final look at the maze from above, before we plunge in.  Black and white white might make it easier to sort out. You’d sooner not try it? Your choice.

Oh, this won’t take long.  Look, I can see through the branches easily.  In fact I can see the centre from here …

Oh hang on.  I want to go left, and I can’t.  OK, right, left and left again.  Hmm. I seem to be near the beginning again.  Right, let’s take this slowly …

And I did.  Eventually, I met Eros in the centre and sat with him for a while.

Getting out was worse than getting in.  I kept on fetching up with Eros again, or finding myself up yet another blind alley.  But I made it out eventually, and decided that I really would have liked your company as I thrashed helplessly around. 

I’d nearly explored the whole site, but went for a final stroll, encountering various characters, identity unsolved, on the way.

At this point, I could have gone home.  Instead, I walked into the Horta district, roughly a kilometre away: a well-established community where ordinary citizens live and work, and where there is no possible reason for a tourist to venture. Except I’d had a tip-off.  I should have my lunch at Quimet d’Horta.  This unique bar has been serving the locals its signature dish for almost 100 years.  An omelette sandwich.  A bit weird? I thought so.  But I was wrong.  A cheesy, herby omelette enveloped into half a crisp-crusted baguette, and helped down by a clara turned out to be just the thing I needed.  And as I was eating at the ridiculously early hour of 1 o’clock, I had the place almost to myself.

This is a multi-tasking post.  First of all, it’s part of my Barcelona series.  Then it’s for Amy’s Lens-Artist Challenge #288: Unique.  And then, despite the fact that no cake was consumed in the expedition, it’s for Jo’s Monday Walk.

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Author: margaret21

I'm retired and live in North Yorkshire, where I walk , write, volunteer and travel as often as I can.

51 thoughts on “You’ve ‘done’ Barcelona.  Now what? (Part Two)”

  1. What a lovely park! Reminds me a little of Sintra although no maze there. I can well believe the omelette sandwich was delicious. We were once given a packed lunch from a hotel which included cold scambled egg sandwiches. They turned out to be scrumptious.

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    1. Catalan would get you brownie points but Spanish is fine. And although you’re right about tortilla de patatas, I seem to remember they really did call it ‘omelette’, because a tortilla de patatas is a different beast. But also makes a delicious sandwich.

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  4. What a beautiful place, Margaret! That’s what happens when you have ‘inside information’, isn’t it? Me and mazes get cross with each other. They think I’m stupid and I think they’re foolish, but I can seldom resist one. Glad you made it out in time to post! One of Mick’s favourite lunches here is a scrambled egg sandwich- very similar, but no cheese in his. Thanks, darlin! Enjoy the rest of your week.

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  5. And it fills its various briefs admirably. What a lovely place; it feels appropriate that it is hidden. I’m glad you made it out of the labyrinth in time for that tasty-sounding lunch.

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  7. Margaret, let me just say I’d have been in a bit of a panic not being able to find my way out of the maze! Now that said, it looks absolutely beautiful there and what a unique place! Wonderful choice for the week. Also, I think an omelette sandwich is pretty unique also !! But it does look yummy 😊. Always happy to have you join us!

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    1. Thanks Tina. I’ll own to having had just a couple of minutes thinking I would never get out. As far as I know, nobody’s ever had to spend the night there. And there’s always that sandwich to comfort you afterwards.

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  8. What a delightful spot! Not at all what I think of when I think of Barcelona! And the omelette sandwich sounds delicious 🙂 I enjoy a bit of crusty bread with an omelette but never thought of sticking one inside the other!

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  9. Hi Margaret, Thank you for this enjoyable tour through your beautiful photos! Beautiful and unique, indeed! Love these trees. This bar has been almost 100 years. unique. That cheesy omelette sandwich looks so, so delicious. 🙂

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  17. Ha, just the very idea of being stuck in the middle of a maze unable to find the way out brings me out in claustrophobia and panic attacks! So well done you! You deserved the omelette!

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  20. I am glad you got out in time, Margaret! I would have been a bit of panicked…but that sandwich healed it! A unique place you found, and mastered in the end. I remember as a child I got lost in a maze, and my head didn’t reach above the hedges. That was a fright. But this looks a beauty.

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  22. Pingback: Jo’s Monday medley | Still Restlessjo

  23. This was wonderful! We had such a blink of Barcelona last week and I would have enjoyed meandering around with you. Lost or not lost it is fabulous. stunning photos.

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