Umbracle, Cast-iron architectural structure in Parc de la Ciutadella, Spain.
The Umbracle is an iron structure made of five arches supporting three roof sections that create alternating zones of light and shadow. It houses a collection of subtropical plants including hydrangeas, kentia palms, and ferns arranged in organized planting beds throughout the space.
The structure was designed by José Fontseré Mestre, Jaume Gustà i Bondia, and Josep Amargós i Samaranch for the 1888 Universal Exposition in Barcelona. It sits on the grounds of a former military citadel that was converted into a scientific and botanical space after the exposition.
The name Umbracle comes from Latin and refers to the structure's purpose of sheltering delicate plants from direct sun exposure. Today visitors can observe how the filtered light creates the right conditions for subtropical specimens to thrive in their carefully arranged spaces.
The structure is located in Parc de la Ciutadella near Passeig de Picasso and is easily accessible on foot from central Barcelona. Visitors can explore the iron construction and plants both from outside and inside the structure at their own pace.
The arches are made of cast iron, a material that represented a technical innovation in the 1800s and shows how modern production methods enabled new approaches to plant cultivation. This advanced construction allowed architects to create large open spaces where plants could thrive in partially shaded conditions.
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