Parc del Laberint d'Horta

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"Barcelona is famous for its buildings being works of art; this is one of the few examples of a garden stepping up to that level. On the wilderness spectrum, Barcelona’s oldest park is beauty-salon manicured: splendid temples, lily-glazed ponds, sculptures of mythological figures, and a cypress maze that’s clearly given the gardener’s pruning shears a workout. The labyrinth is definitely the standout feature, a maze made of elaborate swirls of thick foliage. It recreates the Greek myth of Theseus destroying the Minotaur (a part-human, part-bull monster) to fall in love with Ariadne. A similar fate awaits those who make it to the center—no bovine slaying required, but you will find love in the form of a statue of Cupid. If that all sounds a bit soppy, scoff later: the maze is harder than it looks." - Gemma Askham

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"The archetypical hedge maze sitting in the center of Barcelona’s Parc del Laberint d’Horta (Labyrinth Park of Horta) is one of the city’s hidden gems, having delighted visitors for centuries making it the oldest garden in the city. Work on the labyrinth and the surrounding gardens began in 1791 as part of a wealthy estate owned by the Desvalls family. The maze and its attendant Italian-inspired terraces were part of the original construction that is today known as the Neoclassical section of the park. The majority of the rest of the park was created in the mid-1800s, and is now known as the Romantic portion, however as the name implies, it is the central labyrinth that really steals the show. The tall manicured hedge walls of the maze create over 2,000 feet of twists and turns for visitors to get lost in. Anyone who makes it to the center will find a statue of Eros, Greek God of Love, implying that the romantic part of the garden existed even before any expansion. There are also pavilions that overlook the maze and feature their own statues of Greek gods. There is also a picturesque pond at one end. The gardens were given over to the city of Barcelona in the 1960s and are now a public park. Since it is set off from the regular tourist strips the Horta labyrinth remains a magical little secret for those willing to get a little lost." - ATLAS_OBSCURA

"The oldest garden in the city, the Laberint d’Horta was once the property of the Marquise Desvalls. Explore lush green spaces in search of striking statuary and plant life, then find love—in the figure of Cupid at the center of the neoclassical garden maze. Above the maze there’s a large terrace overlooking the gardens and a charming pavilion with a reflecting pool full of carp. Be sure to pack a picnic, as the snack bar’s selections are limited and overpriced."

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"Then hop on the Metro (with your portable feast in tow) to El Parc del Laberint de l’Horta for a picnic and long stroll along its historic garden paths." - Chris Ciolli

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"Then there are the urban beaches and Labyrinth Park of Horta, the elaborate hedge maze perched high above them." - Elise Taylor