Joan Miró Park
A lively park located on the site of an old slaughterhouse
Popularly known as "Parc de l’Escorxador" or Slaughterhouse Park, after the municipal facility that previously occupied it, this space dedicated to Joan Miró is home to one of his most famous sculptures, which the artist specifically created to welcome travellers arriving by train.
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Why visit Joan Miró Park?
This park, which covers four blocks in the Eixample district, was designed by the architects Antoni Solanas, Màrius Quintana, Beth Galí and Andreu Arriola on the site of the city’s old slaughterhouse, which was demolished in 1979. The park was built in response to post-Franco Barcelona’s manifest intention to develop the city’s planning in such a way that it would transform obsolete infrastructure to meet new social needs.
The large, open-plan space was inaugurated in 1983 and dedicated to Joan Miró, who installed in it a 22 metre tall monumental structure called "Woman and Bird" that imitates the trencadís broken tile mosaic style. The gardens are organised around a cement plaza designed to be a venue for ceremonies and other functions, which is framed by platforms on different levels, pergolas and groves of pine trees and holm oaks. The park is also home to a public library that also bears Joan Miró’s name, in addition to six play areas for children.
How do you get to Joan Miró Park?
Hop off at the Creu Coberta stop on the Red Route of Barcelona Bus Turístic and walk to Plaça d’Espanya and then along Carrer de Tarragona. Or you can hop off at the Plaça Espanya stop and walk up Carrer de Tarragona.
For the most curious of you
- Did you know? The original plan was for the sculpture to be surrounded by twenty more works by Miró, but sadly they were never made.
- Local’s tip: The Joan Miró Library specialises in the work of the Catalan artist and has an extensive document collection.
- A must: To relax before strolling up Montjuïc Mountain.
