Renovation of Barcelona's Historic Laberint d'Horta Garden

Sunday 23 March 2025 - 16:10

By: Zahouani Ilham

Renovation of Barcelona's Historic Laberint d'Horta Garden

The Laberint d'Horta, Barcelona's oldest historical garden and one of the few remaining ancient vegetal mazes in Spain, has closed its doors for renovations. These improvements aim to restore the garden to its original splendor, which dates back to its completion around 1808. The project, partially funded by European Next Generation funds (75% of the cost), totals €1.32 million.

The renovation will include replanting all the cypress trees, restoring the original maze path of 1.5 kilometers. The pavement will be upgraded to a more permeable surface, and a sustainable drip irrigation system will be installed. The project is expected to last 12 months, with a few extra months for the vegetation to settle after the work is finished.

Over 2,200 new cypress trees, each up to 1.8 meters tall, will be planted, replicating the size of the original trees based on studies and photos from 1912. This change will allow more light into the maze. The garden's drainage system will also be improved, and ceramic tiles around the flower beds will be reinstalled. Additionally, the wooden structure of the central island will be rebuilt, and some spaces will be covered with gravel to facilitate water infiltration into the soil. These upgrades are designed to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Laberint d'Horta.

The renovation fulfills UNESCO's recommendation to preserve historical gardens, as outlined in the Florence Charter. The garden, which began construction in 1791, was designed by architect and sculptor Domenico Bagutti. The most recent restoration occurred in 1994, and the garden has since been managed as a museum garden with controlled access.