The most famous park in Barcelona is Park Güell, a masterpiece designed by the legendary architect Antoni Gaudí. Built between 1900 and 1914, it was originally intended to be a luxury housing estate but later became a public park and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. The park is world-renowned for its colorful mosaic work, specifically the "trencadís" style, which is most prominent on the Dragon Stairway featuring the iconic multi-colored salamander (often called the "Barcelona Lizard"). The Nature Square (Plaça de la Natura) offers a panoramic view of the city and the Mediterranean Sea, framed by a long, undulating bench covered in ceramic tiles. In 2026, Park Güell is also a focal point for the "Barcelona World Capital of Architecture" celebrations. Due to its popularity, the central "Monumental Zone" requires a pre-booked ticket, while residents often have free access to the peripheral forest areas. It stands as a perfect example of Gaudí's "Naturalism" phase, where architectural forms mimic the organic shapes found in nature.