The hypostyle Room in Park Güell, Barcelona

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Enjoy art and nature at Park Güell, an oasis of color and design in the city.

Quick information about the Hypostyle room

The Hypostyle Room, a striking architectural feature of Park Güell, showcases Antoni Gaudí’s innovative design approach. This grand space is supported by 86 majestic columns, creating a forest-like ambiance that reflects Gaudí’s commitment to merging architecture with nature.

Location of the Hypostyle Room in Park Güell

Situated within Park Güell in the Gràcia district of Barcelona, the Hypostyle Room is a significant attraction designed by the renowned architect Antoni Gaudí.

Built between 1900 and 1914, this room is located just beyond the Dragon Stairway, providing visitors a seamless transition from one iconic feature to another.

Sala Hipòstila is located at the bottom of a grand staircase that leads to the entrance of the park. It is a rectangular space that measures 1,200 square meters and is 7 meters high

The story behind the Hypostyle Hall

columns in the sala hipostila of park guell

Materials used in the Hypostyle Room

The columns and ceiling of the Hypostyle Room are constructed from locally sourced stone, contributing to its natural aesthetic.

The ceiling is adorned with colorful mosaic tiles, known as “trencadís,” reflecting Gaudí’s artistic style and creating a vibrant atmosphere.

Drac Park Güell meaning

Unique Design Elements

The Hypostyle Room features a unique design that resembles a natural forest, with its columns mimicking tree trunks and its ceiling adorned with vibrant mosaics.

The room is illuminated by natural light filtering through the openings above, enhancing its ethereal quality.

Additionally, the space serves as a functional area, providing a gathering place for visitors and hosting various events throughout the year.

People at park guell stairs

Features of Sala Hipòstila

The columns in Sala Hipòstila are the centerpiece of the space. Gaudí designed them to be both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

The ceiling of the Sala Hipòstila is formed by a series of domes supported by columns. The domes are covered with small pieces of coloured glass that allow light to filter into the room. The effect is that of a kaleidoscope of colours.

Gaudí understood that the interplay of light and shadow could create a sense of depth and movement in his designs. In the Sala Hipòstila, Gaudí used skylights and stained glass to recreate this. The natural light filtering through the glass creates a sense of warmth and energy in the room.

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The Functionality of the Hypostyle Room

Originally intended as a marketplace for the park, the Hypostyle Room exemplifies Gaudí’s foresight in creating multifunctional spaces. 

Today, it stands as a testament to Gaudí’s genius, offering visitors a glimpse into his visionary architectural philosophy while serving as a popular spot for relaxation and contemplation within the bustling park.

History of the Park Güell Hypostyle Hall

The Hypostyle Room, located in Park Güell in Barcelona, is an iconic work by Antoni Gaudí. Constructed between 1900 and 1914, this hall was originally conceived as a space intended for a market for the residential community that Gaudí envisioned for the park. However, the residential development did not take place, and the project transformed into a public park, inaugurated in 1926.

The room is composed of 86 columns that support a ceiling reminiscent of a forest. The columns are arranged to create an effect of depth and spatial continuity. The use of materials such as local stone and trencadís (mosaic made from broken ceramics) in the ceiling reflects Gaudí’s connection to nature.

One of the most distinctive features of the Hypostyle Room is its ceiling, adorned with colorful mosaics that include geometric patterns and organic shapes. This design symbolizes the harmony between architecture and nature that Gaudí sought in his work.

Over the years, the Hypostyle Room has been a gathering and celebration space, hosting cultural events. Today, it remains one of the main attractions of Park Güell, drawing visitors from all over the world to admire its beauty. The term “hypostyle” comes from the ancient Greek word “hupostulos,” meaning “supported by columns.

The Connection Between Water and the Hypostyle Room in Park Güell

The relationship between water and the Hypostyle Room in Park Güell is essential to understanding Antoni Gaudí’s vision of nature and architectural design.

This impressive space features 86 columns that support the ceiling, symbolizing a connection to nature and evoking the image of tree trunks in a forest.

Gaudí drew inspiration from the natural world, creating a lively and organic atmosphere that enhances the aesthetic experience of the park. A pipe inside it collects the rainwater that filters down from the square and stores it in a large underground cistern, which overflows into the mouth of the dragon’s staircase.

Interesting Facts about Sala Hipòstila

  • The columns in Sala Hipòstila are not evenly spaced. Gaudí designed them this way to create a more organic and natural feel.
  • The colored glass that covers the domes in the ceiling was inspired by the stained-glass windows in Gothic cathedrals.
  • The word “hipòstila” comes from the Greek word “hypostylon,” which means “under pillars.”
  • In the 1960s, Sala Hipòstila was used as a venue for music concerts and other cultural events.

Tickets to see the Hypostyle Room in Park Güell

Faqs about hypostyle room in Park Güell

The Hypostyle Room, also known as the “Sala Hipóstila,” is an iconic structure in Park Güell that was originally designed to serve as a marketplace for the planned residential estate.

The Hypostyle Room was intended to function as a covered market where the residents of the Park Güell development could gather and purchase goods.

The Hypostyle Room has 86 Doric columns, which are arranged in rows, supporting the ceiling and creating a sense of grandeur.

The Hypostyle Room reflects Antoni Gaudí’s unique organic architectural style, incorporating classical elements like Doric columns with modernist innovation.

The ceiling of the Hypostyle Room plays a key role in the park’s water system. Rainwater is collected from the plaza above and channeled through the columns to a reservoir beneath the room.

The columns and ceiling of the Hypostyle Room are primarily constructed from stone, with decorative elements made from broken ceramic tiles, typical of Gaudí’s “trencadís” technique.

Yes, the Hypostyle Room was part of Gaudí’s original design for Park Güell, intended as a central gathering space for the community.

The columns are said to resemble trees, reflecting Gaudí’s inspiration from nature, and symbolize the connection between human-made structures and the natural environment.

Yes, the Hypostyle Room is open to the public and is one of the main attractions in Park Güell.

The Hypostyle Room not only serves as a visual and architectural highlight but also plays a functional role in the park’s water management system, demonstrating Gaudí’s blend of aesthetics and practicality.

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