Parc de la Ciutadella & La Cascada Arch

I don't know how the explain the Cascada arch in the Parc De Cascada. It's loco!. I continued to be amazed by the beauty in Barcelona. The park is a perfect place to relax, play freesbie, grill out or people watch. My flickr page has more photos. Below is some additional history compliments to http://www.aviewoncities.com/.

In 1714, after a 13 month long siege, Barcelona fell to the army of Philips V during the war of the Spanish Succession. In order to keep firm control over Barcelona, King Philips V built the largest fortress in Europe, a star-shaped citadel or 'Ciutadella'. A large part of the the Ribera district was demolished for this fortress. Only 30 years later was the neighborhood rebuilt at another location as the 'Barceloneta'. Besides museums, the 74acre large park is home to the Parc Zoologic, the Barcelona Zoo. The most famous of its 7000 animals was the albino gorilla, 'Floret de Neu'. Unfortunately, he died in 2004.The park also features a small lake, a popular spot where you can hire a rowing boat.There are several statues in the park, the ones that stands out most are a large stone mammoth.

At the northern corner of the park is the Cascada, a triumphal arch with waterfall and fountain built for the 1888 Universal exhibition. The baroque construction designed by Josep Fontsère, responsible for the conversion of the citadel site into a park, took six years to complete. The design was loosely based on the Trevi Fountain in Rome. The architect was assisted by Antoni Gaudí, at the time still a student.