Parc Laberint Horta maze Garden Oldest Barcelona Park

Parc del Labrinto de Horta is the oldest park in Barcelona located on the former estate of the Desvalls family. It comprises an 18th-century neoclassical garden and a 19th-century romantic garden plus a hedge maze on the intermediate level.

Work on the gardens started in 1791 when Marquis Joan Antoni Desvalls i d'Ardena created the design of a neoclassical garden in collaboration with Italian architect Domenico Bagutti. The builder was Jaume and Andreu Valls and the gardener Joseph Delvalet.

In the mid-19th century, the descendants of the marquis hired architect Elies Rogent to expand the park. Rogent created the upper romantic garden with flower beds, gazebos, huge trees and a waterfall. A water canal was also added to the garden, connecting the upper terrace and the intermediate one where the maze is located.

The house also has a walled domestic garden but this is not open to the public. The old Desvalls house is a private library and gardening school.

In 1967 the Desvalls family handed over the park to the city of Barcelona, who opened to the public in 1971. Ample restoration works were carried out in 1994 with the financial support of the European Union.

The park is currently a garden-museum limited to 750 visitors inside to preserve the delicate environment and structures of the area.

The layout of the park starts with the old house and private walled garden. Immediately behind is the 18th-century neoclassical garden with the maze sitting behind this. The upper and outer areas contain the 19th-century romantic garden.

Nearest TMB METROis Mundet on the Green (l3) line.