Barcelona

Monterols hill, also known as Gil hill (after its former owner) at the start of the last century, is one of the spaces that Nicolau M. Rubió i Tudurí, the man in charge of Barcelona’s parks and gardens for many years, included in the system of green areas he designed for the city around 1926. It was part of an of private estate with gardens and woodland, whose highest and steepest part had never been built on when it was acquired by Barcelona City Council in the 1940s and turned into a public park. Monterols was officially opened on 8 July 1947, after it had been remodelled by the then director for Parks and Gardens, and architect, Lluís Riudor i Carol.

This hill park boasts some large trees, notably oaks, cypresses, holm oaks (one of which was planted at the start of the 20th century and is listed in the Barcelona Trees of Local Interest Catalogue) and several, very tall pine trees. Other species include the enormous carob trees, large olive trees and several almond trees, relics of Sant Gervasi’s agricultural past. There are also a good many shrubs which flower in the spring, with white the predominant colour.
The small depression left from what was once a quarry has been landscaped with native vegetation. Its rough features, a little wild, mean this is certainly the most natural part of the park. Here, at the foot of two very tall and slender fan palms, you will find numerous dwarf palm trees (the palms native to our country) and a collection of aromatic plants: rosemary, thyme, lavender and sage. You will also find Mediterranean shrubs here such as broom, along with mastic, strawberry and hazelnut trees.

In the resting area to the right of the C/ Gualbes entrance there is a stone fountain that stands out for its relief of cupids holding fruit and flower garlands. The sculptor is unknown. It probably came from the workshop of a stone mason who must have copied it from a sketch of the figures.