Barcelona

Barcelona’s ties with roses go back a long way. A good example of this is the international competition held at the Palau de Pedralbes from 1929 to 1936, which the world’s leading rose specialists took part in.
Open cut-rose competitions were held in the park’s rose garden towards the end of the 1980s, but the competition fell into decline after its initial success.
The current Barcelona International New Roses Competition, which was launched at the start of the 21st century, is the successor to this very noteworthy historical past.
It was first held in 2001 and has since become a great showcase for new creations from around the world, enabling the city to renew and strengthen its ties with roses.

Obtaining a new rose is no mean feat, which is why the Barcelona competition is so important. New plants, created from hybrids and artificial selection have to be developed and, over time, display some outstanding features. It may take a number of years before a variety is achieved with sufficient quality for entering competitions and, where successful, marketing.

The Parc de Cervantes has two monoliths, one of stone dedicated to the writer and diplomat Àngel Ganivet that was created by the sculptor Jaume Monràs, and the other made in marble, in homage to Concha Espina, by Juan Díaz de la Campa, featuring a bronze medallion with a picture of the writer at the top.
The rose garden has two sculptures: Rombes bessons (Rhombus Twins – 1977), by Andreu Alfaro, a geometric work near the upper part of the rose garden, and a female nude opposite the perfume garden, entitled Serenitat (Serenity – 1964) by Eulàlia Fàbregas de Sentmenat.
Near the centre of the park there is an immense gravelled square exposed to the sun with children’s games, a few table-tennis tables and a fountain. This is an ideal spot for anyone who wants to sunbathe during the summer or make the most of the winter sunshine. There is also a picnic area nearby, shaded by a pine tree that is often used for Tai-Chi.

A sea of roses inundates four hectares at one end of Parc de Cervantes, from the start of spring to the arrival of autumn. This is the rose garden, which boasts an exceptional collection of over 10,000 rose bushes.
If you start your visit from Ronda de Dalt, the first thing you will find is a large, semicircular pergola overflowing with climbing rose bushes made up of 233 different varieties. This is a shaded place, with benches to sit on and contemplate not just the rose garden but also the magnificent view of Barcelona.
The rose garden parterres are neatly arranged and surrounded by fleshy grass that personalises the rose bushes, making them easier to approach. Small arcades of trunks adorned with climber rose bushes invite visitors to enter and, very subtly, imply there is no need, when strolling around this garden, to just follow the well marked out, delicate, gravelled paths they will also come across but above all, the grass paths, which will allow them intimacy with the roses.

The perfume garden

At the main entrance on Av Diagonal, visitors are welcomed by a space dedicated to rose bushes, which stand out for the aroma of their flowers. There are 235 varieties of roses here and there is no need to get close to smell their perfumes, an exquisite aroma that accompanies your throughout your visit.