Tibidabo marks 125 years as Barcelona landmark

Tibidabo marked its 125th anniversary in Barcelona on Monday, with 2,400 commemorative T-shirts distributed to visitors, Diari Ara reported in an Oct. 12 article.

The milestone underlines the park’s place in city life: opened in 1901, Tibidabo is described by Diari Ara as Catalonia’s and Spain’s oldest operating amusement park and Europe’s second oldest.

The celebration brought together families, tourists, city officials and performers at the hilltop site above Barcelona. Diari Ara reported that the programme included period costumes from La Garriga Modernista Association, a carousel appearance, a parade of park characters and a cake by pastry chef Christian Escribà.

The turnout affected the schedule. According to the article, the parade began later than planned so visitors could take their places before figures including the Marionetarium puppets, the La Moños automaton, the Tibidabo mascots Ti, Bi, Da and Bo, and characters from Hotel 666 moved through the park.

Barcelona officials used the anniversary to present Tibidabo as a municipal asset rather than only a leisure venue. Maria Eugènia Gay, the city’s second deputy mayor and Sarrià-Sant Gervasi district councillor, said the City Council could only keep “improving” Tibidabo, citing the Blue Tram, which she said would be recovered soon.

Albert Batlle, Barcelona’s third deputy mayor for security and councillor for Ciutat Vella, called Tibidabo a park “for all citizens,” Diari Ara reported. He said he had visited with his grandparents and now takes his grandchildren there.

The park has been managed by Barcelona City Council through BSM since 2002, according to the report. Its origin is linked to Doctor Salvador Andreu i Grau, who wanted to transform the mountain and connect it more closely with the city.

Tibidabo’s long-running appeal is tied to attractions that have become part of Barcelona’s collective memory. Diari Ara reported that its plane has represented a first experience of flight for many Barcelona residents, while children at Monday’s celebration pointed to it as a priority ride.

After the anniversary ceremony, the park opened its attractions, including Girabo, the Ferris wheel overlooking Barcelona; Tibidabo Express; Merlin, the free-fall ride; and Hotel 666, the park’s horror attraction. The report described queues of children waiting for rides after the formal celebration ended.

The article did not provide attendance totals beyond the 2,400 T-shirts distributed. It also did not give a specific timetable for the Blue Tram’s return, beyond Gay’s comment that the city would recover it soon.

Source: news article, Diari Ara, Oct. 12