{"id":557984,"date":"2025-01-06T18:04:11","date_gmt":"2025-01-06T17:04:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/locabarcelona.egluu.com\/?page_id=557984"},"modified":"2025-01-07T10:37:08","modified_gmt":"2025-01-07T09:37:08","slug":"plaza-catalunya","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/locabarcelona.egluu.com\/en\/living-in-barcelona\/history-architecture\/plaza-catalunya\/","title":{"rendered":"Plaza Catalunya"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Inicio<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Everything you need to know for your visit to Plaza de Catalunya<\/h1>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Plaza de Catalunya is considered the heart of Barcelona, serving as a meeting point for both locals and tourists. Spanning over 48,000 square metres, this vibrant square offers something for everyone. Let\u2019s explore its history, sculptures, and the lively atmosphere that surrounds it.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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History of Plaza de Catalunya\n<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Plaza de Catalunya hasn\u2019t always been the central hub of Barcelona. Originally, the area around the Portal de l\u2019\u00c0ngel was enclosed by city walls, which were demolished in 1854, linking what we now know as Plaza de Catalunya and the Eixample district. This space became an ideal spot for open-air markets and other activities that fostered a sense of community in the city.<\/p>

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Years later, Ildefons Cerd\u00e0, the architect of the Eixample grid, envisioned Pla\u00e7a de les Gl\u00f2ries Catalanes as the city\u2019s central point, as it intersected Barcelona\u2019s three major avenues: Diagonal, Gran Via, and Avinguda Meridiana. However, the Rovira Plan, backed by the city council and the Catalan bourgeoisie, proposed Plaza de Catalunya as the new central square. In 1889, following the 1888 Universal Exhibition, the construction of the square began. From 1902 to the late 1920s, various architects and designers worked on its development, facing delays due to events such as the arrival of the metro and the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera.<\/p>

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Finally, in 1927, Plaza de Catalunya was inaugurated by King Alfonso XIII. Since then, it has become a symbol of Barcelona\u2019s identity, with sculptures reflecting Catalonia\u2019s history and culture, and a gathering place that embodies the city\u2019s diversity.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Art and sculptures of Plaza de Catalunya\n<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The expansive square isn\u2019t just for walking. Its layout and design, primarily by Pere Falqu\u00e9s, Josep Puig i Cadafalch, and Francesc de Paula Nebot, aimed to create an open-air museum. Nearly 30 sculptures by renowned Catalan artists were installed in the late 1920s for the 1929 International Exhibition, although some have since been relocated to other parts of the city. These pieces, crafted by prominent figures like Josep Llimona, Enrique Casanovas, and Pau Gargallo, celebrate Catalonia\u2019s history and culture.<\/p>

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Some of the most notable works include:<\/p>

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