Barcelona’s iconic Tibidabo Amusement Park celebrates its 125th anniversary this year. It marks over a century as a cherished symbol atop Collserola mountain. The park, inaugurated on 29 October 1901, remains a rare point of widespread affection and agreement among city residents. It has endured two World Wars, a Civil War, economic crises, and technological booms, outliving 51 mayors.

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A Beloved Barcelona Landmark

The park, along with the Torre de Collserola, the Fabra Observatory, the Hotel La Florida, and the Temple of the Sacred Heart, forms an “alpine skyline”. This view unites Barcelona’s 73 neighbourhoods and 10 districts. Josep Darnés, a resident of Verdun, a neighbourhood in the Nou Barris district, describes this panorama as “the lighthouse for all Barcelonans”. Mr Darnés maintains an extensive collection of Tibidabo postcards and memorabilia. He has meticulously catalogued these items over nearly 50 years. He recalls attractions like the “supertobogán” (super-slide) and the “platillos de combate” (combat saucers), which featured levers for vertical movement.

Tibidabo’s director, Rosa Ortiz, has held her position since 2002. She told La Vanguardia newspaper that the park attracts 650,000 visitors annually. She noted its strong connection to local and metropolitan audiences. Ms Ortiz stated, “It is a space deeply rooted in Barcelona’s collective memory, according to Tibidabo official website. Here, you often find three and even four generations of the same family, grandparents, parents, and children, sharing and creating new memories.”

Pioneering Vision and Early Days

Dr. Salvador Andreu spearheaded the creation of Tibidabo Amusement Park. His vision succeeded where Eusebi Güell, despite collaborating with Antoni Gaudí, failed. Güell’s planned 60-house urbanisation, now the La Salut neighbourhood, foundered. It suffered from a lack of demand and poor transport links in the early 20th century. Meanwhile, Dr. Andreu’s garden city along Tibidabo Avenue thrived. It featured architects like Enric Sagnier and Adolf Ruiz Casamitjana. The city later acquired Park Güell, opening it to the public in 1926. Decades later, in 2002, the Barcelona City Council also purchased Tibidabo Amusement Park, according to Tibidabo history. It paid approximately 18 million euros, exercising its right of first refusal.

The park’s inauguration on 29 October 1901 offered modest attractions. The funicular and the much-loved Tramvia Blau, themselves significant draws, debuted on the same day. Early park entertainment included automatons and a giant spotlight that illuminated Barcelona. Grotesque mirrors and a theatre soon followed. In 1912, Dr. Andreu controversially brought an entire tribe from Senegal to entertain visitors. This practice is now widely condemned.

Evolution of Attractions and Unique Collections

Tibidabo has consistently modernised its offerings. The park installed its first aeroplane ride in 1928. A storm dislodged it in 1930, leading to its replacement with a model featuring a more square tail. The enchanted castle opened in 1955. Bumper cars followed in 1963, and the Hurricane ride in 1992. Under public ownership, the Dididado theatre opened in 2007. The Merlí free-fall ride launched in 2024.

Mr Darnés considers the automaton museum Tibidabo’s most emblematic and prestigious feature. He calls it “unique in the world”. Opened in 1982, it houses one of the planet’s finest collections. Many of its century-old pieces came from renowned French manufacturers like Vichy-Triboulet. The park displayed these self-operating figures even before the museum’s formal establishment. Walt Disney reportedly offered a blank cheque for the collection during his 1957 visit to Tibidabo. Fortunately, the Andreu family declined the offer, ensuring the collection remained in Barcelona.

A Lasting Legacy for Barcelona

Tibidabo Amusement Park continues to be a vibrant hub for local and metropolitan visitors. Its enduring appeal stems from its rich history, unique attractions, and its role as a shared experience across generations. As it celebrates its 125th anniversary, the park reinforces its status as an irreplaceable part of Barcelona’s identity and a beacon for future memories.

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Originally published by La Vanguardia Barcelona. Read original article.