One of the best things about enjoying a mountain campsite in the Catalan Pyrenees is that you have many different activities to do. The activities that can be carried out are of all kinds, from those related to nature, to other more cultural ones.
This makes it easier to enjoy a wide variety of tourism, both with family and friends. In this article we are going to focus on one of the places that is worth enjoying if you carry out a campsite in Berguedà, the Artigas Gardens that are located in La Pobla de Lillet.
If you want to escape the routine and feel in communion with nature, a visit to these gardens is something you will never forget. Read on to find out what they are like and what you can expect from a visit.
Artigas Gardens in La Pobla de Lillet
The Artigas Gardens are gardens located in the municipality of La Pobla de Lillet, in Berguedà, which were built between 1905 and 1906 designed by Gaudí. It is inevitable to remember the famous Park Güell in Barcelona when visiting these gardens, as they were designed by the same genius.
Artigas Gardens history
The history of the Artigas Gardens dates back to 1905. During this year, Gaudí travelled to La Pobla de Lillet to build a mountain shelter for coal mine engineers. This refuge was the Catllaràs chalet and was designed so that the engineers of that area could rest.
During the time that Gaudí was in La Pobla de Lillet he stayed in the house of Joan Artigas, a textile industrialist of the time who had a piece of land in the bed of the Llobregat river known as the Fountain of Magnesia. Gaudí felt so comfortable during his stay in La Pobla de Lillet that, as a way of gratitude, he decided to design these gardens.
The design of Los Jardines de Artigas was carried out thinking of a smaller-scale project of the aforementioned Park Güell. At that time, Park Güell was still being built and Gaudí brought some of the masons who had worked on it. This caused the stylistic and structural similarities to be more than evident.
In the same way as happened with Park Güell, Gaudí designed the Artigas Gardens fully integrated into nature, in fact, he went so far as to build an artificial grotto. Gaudí devised a garden designed for walking and there is no doubt that time has ended up proving him right due to how popular the excursion to these gardens has become.
Finally, it was in the 1950s when the Artigas family moved to Barcelona, leaving the gardens practically abandoned. If today they can be enjoyed and are still part of history, it is because in 1971 they were restored under the supervision of the Royal Gaudí Chair.
Main architectural elements of the Gardens
One of the main attractions of the Artigas Gardens is that you can appreciate the genius with which Gaudí was able to integrate all kinds of architectural elements into nature.
One of the best-known architectural elements that you can find in the Artigas Gardens are the centenary arch bridges. These bridges fit perfectly with the landscape, but a couple of them are worth highlighting, the Arco Cojo Bridge and the Arches Bridge.
Along the route through the Artigas Gardens you can also enjoy several balustrades that follow the course of the river. These balustrades are perfect for enjoying panoramic views of the entire environment.
Another element of architecture that is worth knowing are the fountains and waterfalls of the Artigas Gardens. Due to its proximity to the Llobregat River, it is much easier to enjoy these aquatic elements that serve to improve the harmony of the gardens.
In the highest part of the gardens there is a gazebo-viewpoint through which you can enjoy a spectacular landscape. You can also meet and enjoy a picnic area, as well as different Christian and animal sculptures that make a lot of reference to religion.
The perfect integration between art and nature
The Artigas Gardens are a clear example of Gaudí’s ability to merge architectural elements with nature. Gaudí knew how to adapt perfectly to the environment that surrounded him when designing the gardens. That is why you can appreciate the way in which it takes advantage of the topography of the land to play in its favor, for example, through the use of balustrades along the riverbed.
These are gardens in which there is an abundant use of water. For its construction, Antoni Gaudí also made use of local materials, for example, stone and wood. The choice of these materials to carry out these elements facilitates the integration of gardens with nature and also contributes to their harmony with the natural environment.
Gaudí did not let any detail go unnoticed. The choice and use of sculptures of animals such as the lion or the eagle are perfectly integrated into the local fauna. It also knows how to take advantage of the abundant water in the area due to the proximity to the river by building fountains and waterfalls.
Finally, even the centenary arch bridges manage to integrate them into the landscape in a natural way, so it seems that they have arisen spontaneously from the terrain itself.
Reasons to visit the Artigas Gardens
There are many reasons why you should pay a visit to the Artigas Gardens. First of all, it is a work by Gaudí in a natural environment similar to the famous Park Güell. Few works of this style you will be able to see that integrate so well into such a privileged natural environment as this one.
If you visit the Artigas Gardens, you will be able to appreciate the way in which Gaudí adapts his style to a river environment. An environment like this makes the gardens have an unparalleled scenic beauty thanks to their integration into nature.
Visiting these gardens will help you learn more about Gaudí’s work. The Artigas Gardens are also a direct witness to the industrial history in Catalonia, so you can also learn some history and culture with the visit.
There are few places in the world where you can live an experience as magical as this example of Catalan modernism in the middle of nature. Enjoying a walk through these gardens is like entering a fantasy world where nature merges with architecture in great harmony.
If you are a lover of architecture, we also recommend a visit to the Artigas Gardens for all the architectural elements that you can find in them.
Practical tips for planning your visit
To fully enjoy the visit, we recommend that you check the opening hours. These can vary depending on the season, so it is important that you consult them beforehand so that you do not carry out a visit in vain.
Taking a walk through the gardens is like enjoying a little excursion in the countryside. Being in a natural environment means that you will have to walk on slopes, stairs and some irregular paths. For this reason, we recommend that you wear the right footwear.
Obviously, the Artigas Gardens are an outdoor space, so you should check the weather forecast to choose a day when a mountain getaway like this is pleasant.
Finally, bring good equipment to take some good photos and enjoy the scenery and, above all, do not carry out the visit in a hurry. Take your time to enjoy the gardens and the environment in which they are located. This getaway is a highly recommended tourist attraction to enjoy nature more, escape the daily routine and reduce stress.
