Castell dels Tres Dragons - 3 Dragons Castle & Greenhouses

About Three Dragons Castle & Greenhouses

When you visit Parc de la Cuitadella you will not fail to notice a red brich castle in the corner of the park. This is Three Dragons Castle, Castell dels Tres Dragons, and was initially designed to house the main restaurant of the trade fair during the months of the Universal Exhibition of 1888. The name three dragons castle was probably adopted from the 1865 play Serafí Pitarra.

Three Dragons Castle History

• 1887-1888: Built as a Café-restaurant for a Hotel complex (that nolonger exists) by the Famous modernist architect by Lluís Domènech i Montaner.
• 1888-: At the end of exhibition the building was used as an industrial arts workshop related to architecture.
• 1917: The building is handed over to the Museo Martorell de Arqueología y Ciencias Naturales who opend a natural sciences museum in Barcelona.
• 1920: Refurbished to house the Museum of Zoology.
• 1936-1939: During the Spanish Civil War the Museum closed. The building was damaged by Franciost forces arial bombing.
• 2010: The Three Dragons castle closes and the Natural sciences museum moves to a new building in Forum.

Hivernacle del Parc de la Ciutadella

• 18883-1887: Built as a large greenhouse designed by Josep Amargós i Samaranch for the 1888 Universal Exhibition. Large iron structure with glass walls consisting of three naves with the main access via the central nave, which is open on two sides. Both inside and outside the building you can see the coat of arms of the city of Barcelona.
• 1888: Designed to grow tropical plants, during the Universal Exhibition of 1888 in Barcelona, ​​it was used as a party and conference room. Later it also functioned as a restaurant for a while.
• 2006: Ceased to be used as part of the Natural sciences museum which moved to Forum.
• July 2022: Hibernacle rehabilitation works were scheduled to begin, which will last approximately 12 months. Still not complete but you can see the exterior of this modernist building in the Parc de la Ciutadella.

Museu Martorell Building & Jardins Fontserè i Mestre

• 1878: Collector, trader, archaeologist and scholar Francesc Martorell i Peña dies donating his collection to Barcelona city.
• September 25 1882: Museum of Archaeology and Natural Sciences was opened by Barcelona's Mayor Francesc Rius i Taulet. The Martorell Museum of Geology in Barcelona was the first building in the city to be a public museum.
• 1924: The museum was dedicated entirely to geology collections.
• 1936-1939: During the Spanish Civil War the Museum closed.
2010: The Martorell Museum closes and the Natural sciences museum moves to a new building in Forum.

Umbráculo del Parc de la Ciudadella

• 1883-1887: A greenhouse by architect Josep Amargós for the 1888 Universal Exhibition to protect the plants from the sun and allow the growth of species alien to the Mediterranean from tropical and subtropical forests.
• 1888:Hydrangeas, Kentias, Gardenias, Ficus, Elephant ears, Adam's ribs, Arecaceae, Carnauba or Yellow Jasmine plants and trees grow here. The space is organized with a central path.
2010: The Umbráculo closes and the Natural sciences museum moves to a new building in Forum.

Image Gallery for Three Dragons Castle & Greenhouses

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Visiting Three Dragons Castle & Greenhouses

The castle, Martorell Museum and greenhouses are currently closed for refurbishment with the Natural Scineces Museum being relocated to the Forum area.

All the former Natural sciences Museum Buildings can be admired from outside.

Getting to Three Dragons Castle & Greenhouses

Address: Parc De la Cuitadella S/N, Barcelona. 8003

Nearest TMB Metro is Arc de Triomf on the red (L1) line and on the Renfe RODALIES train network. Use a T-Casual or Hola-Barcelona travel card.

Also Estacio de França on the Renfe RODALIES and REGIONAL is nearby

Saba Bamsa pay parking can be found below Passeig de Lluís Companys.

Where to stay overnight in the Castell dels Tres Dragons