The luxurious city park of Sudadelia is a reminder of events from a not-so-flattering past. After the surrender of Barcelona in 1714 to Philip V, the first monarch of the Bourbon dynasty, who ended Catalan rights, the Duke of Berwick decreed the creation of a military fortress to monitor the city. the creation of a military fortress to watch over the city, for which purpose a large part of the neighbourhood of La Ribera was demolished. a large part of the neighbourhood of La Ribera. Work began in 1715 and the fortress fulfilled its function for 100 years, and in 1869, thanks to a Catalan. General Prim was granted the territory of the fortress to the city for its redevelopment into an urban park. thanks to the Catalan General Prim was given to the city to be converted into a city park, which was very appropriate for the preparation of the World Exhibition of 1888. for the 1888 World Exhibition, as it was here that its 7 pavilions were built. 7 pavilions. Three buildings have survived from the fortress: the arsenal, rebuilt in 1932, the governor's palace, and the governor's palace. arsenal, the governor's palace and the chapel.
The gardens of the Plaza de Armes were designed by the French architect Jean Forestiere, and the cascade of fountains in the centre of the garden ensemble was created by the architect Josep Fonsere with the participation of the young Antoni Gaudí. The cascade is crowned by the Arc de Triomphe, decorated with sculptural allegorical bas-reliefs.
In the brick Castle of the Three Dragons, which was built as a café-restaurant for the World's Fair visitors, has housed the Zoological Museum since 1920. Behind the castle, a long building was built specifically for the Geological Museum, and further on, a greenhouse for tropical plants.
The park is also home to the Barcelona Zoo, which is considered one of the most beautiful and comfortable in Europe. There are no cages or enclosures, and all the animals are housed in conditions as close as possible to their natural habitat. territories by ditches with water.
