El Parc de Cervantes: Barcelona's Romantic Rose Garden
1 of 3
Parc de Cervantes, photo by Òscar Giralt courtesy of Ajuntament de Barcelona (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0).
2 of 3
New rose competition in Parc de Cervantes, photo by Òscar Giralt courtesy of Ajuntament de Barcelona (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0).
3 of 3
Parc de Cervantes, photo by Joe Mabel (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia Commons.
There are many green spaces in Barcelona, but the Parc de Cervantes is special; this carefully curated park is home to over 10,000 rose bushes from all corners of the world. Not only popular among locals, it has been recognized internationally for its beauty and variety of rose bushes, which fill the park with gorgeous colors, intoxicating scents and a romantic atmosphere.
Located on what was once the site of the Estela torrent, or stream, which was formed by the waters that ran down from the Sant Pere Màrtir mountain, the park as we see it today was designed by the then-director of the Barcelona Municipal Parks and Gardens Service under Franco, Lluís Riudor i Carol, who also designed Parc del Turó de la Peira and other city spaces. It was opened to the public in 1965, in commemoration of “twenty-five years of peace” under the dictatorship. The origin of the park’s name—its connection to Cervantes—is unclear.
1 of 3
Parc de Cervantes, photo by Òscar Giralt courtesy of Ajuntament de Barcelona (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0).
2 of 3
The Parc de Cervantes was given the Award of Garden Excellence from the World Federation of Rose Societies in 2009. Photo by Vicente Zambrano González courtesy of Ajuntament de Barcelona (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0).
3 of 3
Parc de Cervantes, photo by Teresa Grau Ros (CC BY-SA 2.0) via Flickr.
Over 200 Roses from All over the World
The garden’s famous roses are arranged into various beds classified by type, which form a botanical circuit: as you stroll along its graveled paths, you can learn about the art of growing roses, and the story behind approximately 245 varieties from four separate continents. The flowers vary in color, size and origin; some are climbing roses, some miniature, and some are massive, fist-sized blooms. The collection is curated based on botanical, historical and locally-relevant criteria. One of the specimens, Rosa multiflora watsoniana, is a Japanese bamboo rose planted in honor of the victims of the massive tsunami in 2011. Others represent rose varieties that were cultivated by the ancient Greeks, Egyptians and Romans; still other varieties are brand-new types of flowers that have only existed a few short years.
In the 1980s, the park began holding rose-cutting competitions, which were popular among the neighbors, especially the older residents. Those gradually faded away, but since 2001, the park has been the site of the Concurs Internacional de Roses Noves, or the International New Rose Competition. Both activities were attempts by the city to recapture the rose-growing tradition that was popular in the beginning of the 20th century, as well as an homage to the city’s historical connection with Sant Jordi. Growers travel from all over the world to participate in the international contest, and take the event very seriously; the creation of a new type of flower can require many years of careful selection and experimentation. In 2009, the park was honored with the Award of Garden Excellence from the World Federation of Rose Societies.
In addition to the roses, nature lovers visit the park to enjoy the many varieties of local and imported vegetation present in the park, such as cedar, cypress, acacia, yew, linden, elm, oleander, rosewood, holm oak, Aleppo pine, stone pine, horse chestnut, olive, pear, persimmon, cherry, quince, apple, date palm, and other species of trees. Aromatic plants such as lavender and rosemary, perennials and other varieties of flowers line the borders of the rose beds and extensive grassy areas offer a place to relax in the heart of the Pedralbes neighborhood.
1 of 3
The sculpture "Serenitat" (1964) by Eulàlia Fàbregas de Sentmenat in the Parc de Cervantes, photo by Òscar Giralt courtesy of Ajuntament de Barcelona (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0).
2 of 3
"Adam," by Jacinto Bustos Vasallo in the Parc de Cervantes, photo by Herodotptlomeu (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Wikimedia Commons.
3 of 3
"Dos rombos" by Andreu Alfaro in Parc de Cervantes, photo by Canaan (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Wikimedia Commons.
Sculpture in the Park
Scattered around the park are also several notable works of art, including two imposing monoliths. One is dedicated to the philosopher, diplomat and writer Àngel Gavinet carved in granite by sculptor Jaume Monràsan, and the other is a marble piece carved by Juan Díaz de la Campa in homage to the groundbreaking writer and journalist Concha Espina. Other notable works in the garden include Serenitat or “Serenity” (1964) by Eulàlia Fàbregas de Sentmenat in front of the rose beds, the aluminum geometric piece Rombe Bessons or “Gemini Rhombus” (1977) by Andreu Alfaro at the top of the gardens and Adam, a classical-style male nude sculpture by Jacinto Bustos Vasallo (1968). There are also several commemorative plaques placed throughout the park’s grounds; for example, one was a gift to the city of Barcelona from the Spanish municipality of Alcalá de Henares, on the fourth centenary of the publishing of Cervantes’ Don Quixote.
People come to the park to exercise—to walk, run, or bike—as well as simply to relax. The secluded oasis offers wide grassy areas and paths to relax or stroll, a picnic area shaded by pines, a fountain, groves of trees and vine-covered gazebos to shade visitors from the sun, a dedicated children’s play area and ping-pong tables. And as the park is located at a slightly higher altitude than the center of the city, it also offers lovely views of Barcelona.
1 of 3
Parc de Cervantes, photo by Joan Brebo (CC BY-NC 2.0) via Flickr.
2 of 3
Parc de Cervantes, photo by Oh Barcelona (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr.
3 of 3
Bee and wasp "hotel" in the Parc de Cervantes, photo by Sebastià Rambla courtesy of Ajuntament de Barcelona (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0).
Getting There
The park is located in the Pedralbes neighborhood in Les Corts district between Avinguda Diagonal and Avinguda d’Esplugues, just on the border with Esplugues de Llobregat. The main entrance to the four-square-hectare park can be found on Avinguda Diagonal; a smaller, quieter entrance is at Ronda de Dalt. The closest metro station is Zona Universitaria on the green line (L3), but the park can also be accessed by a number of buses.
The park is open to the public at 8:00 every day of the year, and entry is free. Closing time varies, as the park is open until sunset. Thanks to Barcelona’s warm climate, the roses are usually in bloom from April through October or November, but May and June are the best times to see the park in all its glory.