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Plaça de Catalunya by Jordiferrer-

Top 10 Incredible Facts about Plaça de Catalunya

Placa de Catalunya is a vibrant square in the heart of Barcelona and is throbbing intensely. It is one of the largest squares in Spain. In addition to being a popular meeting place, the topographical space divides the districts of Ciutat Vella and the Eixample. The Placa de Catalunya is in Catalan city and is steeped in history.

The Placa Catalunya is often packed with people due to its enormous shopping areas and department stores. Barcelona’s most central neighbourhood is a popular meeting spot for both locals and tourists. In addition to that, it connects the Eixample to the ancient town. In this article, we will uncover the top ten incredible facts about Placa de Catalunya. 

1.King Alfonso XIII Inaugurated the Catalonia Square In 1927

King Alfonso XIII by Kaulak –

The five-hectare plaza was inaugurated by King Alfonso XIII in 1927 and was dedicated on that date. The site was once a patch of undeveloped land in front of the city’s gates. Architects Pere Falqués, Puig I Cadafalch, and Francesc de Paula Nebot designed the Catalonia square with sculptures by renowned artists Clarà and Llimona.

2.The Catalonia Square Is Surrounded By Six Sculptures Representing The Four Major Catalonia Cities

The Sculptures at the Plaça de Catalunya by Txllxt TxllxT –

The Catalonia square is surrounded by six sculptures representing the four major cities of Catalonia, as well as wisdom and labour. On one of the plaza’s corners is a monument by Josep Maria Subirachs to Francesc Macià, the president of the Catalan Government.

As the city prepared for the 1929 International Exposition, the plaza surrounded some of the most opulent hotels, clubs, and theatres in new Barcelona. With the exception of the Maison Dorée, the Colón, and the Sus, almost none of them remain today.

3.The Catalonia Square Has A History That Will Leave You Puzzled

After demolishing the medieval city walls in the 19th century, famous urban planners devised grandiose plans for the city’s public spaces. Placa de Catalunya was planned as a portion of pla Rovira in 1859, but no official approval from the government was granted until the Universal Exposition of 1888.

It was urbanized for the first time in 1902 and remodelled in 1929 for the 1929 Barcelona International Exposition, which included the construction of a metro station. Architect Francisco Nebot conceived the 1929 modifications. In May 2011, Placa de Catalunya was the focal point of anti-government demonstrations and sit-ins in Barcelona, reflecting similar actions in other Spanish towns.

4.The Decorative Arts Used In Building Catalonia Square Are Stained Glass Windows

The tower lantern of the Barcelona Telephone Exchange locally known as Edificio Telefónica contains four stained glass windows designed in 1991. These windows were installed in the tower. The artworks were crafted by the local Fundació Centre del Vidre and commissioned by the artist Brian Clarke to commemorate the city’s hosting of the Olympic Games in 1992.

They were envisioned to function as a coloured beacon that looked out over the square, and the local Fundació Centre del Vidre was responsible for their fabrication. Students of the Escola Massana were responsible for designing the mosaics that can be found on the walls of the underground portion of Placa de Catalunya.

5.Placa De Catalunya Is The Best Place To Shop

Plaça de Catalunya at night by Suicasmo –

The main shopping axis begins here, so if you want to indulge in some retail therapy, Placa De Catalunya is the best location to visit. High fashion, design, jewellery, and department stores are all found in this area. The white-fronted El Corte Inglés, Spain’s only remaining department store, serves as a good starting point for tourists looking to get oriented in the city.

This enormous mammoth, fortress-like establishment sells everything imaginable, from food and books to high fashion and jewellery, as well as electronics and home goods. The shop is well-known not only for its pleasant interaction with customers but also for the restaurant located on the ninth floor; there, patrons can take a seat near the window and enjoy a breath-taking panorama of the square below.

On the other side of the street lies El Triangle, a business complex that is home to FNAC, a big media store with multiple levels devoted to technology, books, and music.

6.There Are Four Theatres In Placa De Catalunya

Catalonia Square, the heart of Barcelona, has a few theatres to keep the locals and tourists entertained. They include; the Circ Eqüestre Alegria was established in 1879 to 1895; the Eldorado Concert, which was constructed from 1887 to 1929; the Teatre del Bon Retire, built in 1876 to 1885 and finally, Teatre Barcelona, which was constructed in 1923 to 1988.

7.Placa De Catalunya Is A Site For Multiple Monuments And Public Sculptures

Placa Catalunya is home to many significant public sculptures and monuments illustrative of Noucentisme, Neoclassicism, and several other avant-garde art styles. They are as follows; Pastor de Pau by Pablo Gargallo, Josep Limona’s sculptures, Deessa by Josep Clara, and Francesc Macia monument, the inscription reads as ‘Catalunya a Francesc Macia’.

8.There Are Multiple Financial Institutions In Placa De Catalunya

In Placa de Catalunya, visitors are well catered for in terms of currency exchange and other money transactions. Some of the financial institutions that are fully functional are; Banco de Espana, Banco Espanol de Credito (Banesto), Caja Madrid and Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentina (BBVA).

9.The Best Means Of Transport To Get To Catalonia Square Is By Bus, Metro, or Train

To get to the famous Placa de Catalunya, there are several means of transport you can take into consideration, for example, the metro, which TMB operates. Two FGC lines serve Metro; Passeig de Gracia (L2, L3, L4) and Catalunya (L1, L3, L6, L7). The bus lines include daily buses and nimbus. For those who prefer trains, there is Barcelona Plaça Catalunya railway station.

10.Placa De Catalunya Has The Best Cafes And Restaurants

Restaurants around Plaça de Catalunya by Jorge Franganillo –

There are multiple restaurants and cafes where different artists and writers would meet in the city. The famous Café Zurich is where Fabiola of Belgium’s brothers used to work as a pianist. Some of the restaurants were lost during the Spanish Civil War. They include; La Lluna, People Soque and Cum Soque.