Gaudí's Park Güell as a Prototype for the Modern Theme Park

Antoni Gaudí, the Catalan architect famed for the Sagrada Familia and Casa Batlló, was the creator of Park Güell in Barcelona. Construction commenced in 1900 but was interrupted in 1914. Originally intended as a residential development backed by Eusebi Güell in 1899, only two of the planned 60 homes were completed. Gaudí resided in one from 1906 until 1925. In 1922, the city of Barcelona took ownership, transforming it into a public park. Although Gaudí considered it unsuccessful, it has become a renowned landmark and an early model for theme parks, preceding Disneyland (1955). The park incorporates elements of fairy tales, Greek mythology, nature, and spirituality. It was designated an artistic monument in 1962, a national monument in 1969, and a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1984. Mark I. West conducted an analysis of it.