PLAÇA DE CATALUNYA

No matter where you want to go in and around Barcelona, Plaça de Catalunya is a great place to start. Designed by Ildefons Cerdà in 1859 to be the heart of the city, Plaça de Catalunya has a little bit of everything: Moderniste cafes and monuments, beautiful fountains, shops and bars. And if you’re not sure what you want to do, send Dad to investigate the tourist information office, whilst the kids have fun feeding the pigeons that flock around the square.


The central position of Plaça de Catalunya within Barcelona is entirely in keeping with its symbolic importance to the city. Sculptures and monuments by various Catalan Modernist artists are dotted throughout the Plaça, some of which celebrate achievements by prominent Catalans throughout history. Significantly grand is the Monument a Francesc Macià, which commemorates the man who declared Catalunya a free independent republic in 1931. In addition to these politically-inspired works, there are also some impressive fountains to be found here, for example at the corner of the Plaça with Passeig de Gràcia.

Furthermore, not only is Plaça de Catalunya a great focal point from which to plan trips, it also represents a historical frontier, between the old and new, as here Ciutat Vella, (Old City) meets the 19^th century Moderniste L’Eixample (the Extension) area.

Remnants of the old city skirt the edge of the square closest to the Mediterranean, including la Iglesia de Santa Anna, a gothic monastery originally dating from the 12^th century, which is hidden away off Carrer de Rivadeneyra (the small street between Hard Rock Cafe and La Rambla). It is open every morning between 9am and 1pm, and from 6.30pm until 8.30pm every evening except Sunday. Admission is free.

If you are in the city to do some shopping, Plaça de Catalunya is the perfect point of departure. Some of Barcelona’s best known streets run off the main square, notably the bustling La Rambla (de Canaletes), Ronda de la Universitat and Carrer de Pelai.

On these streets you will find all manner of outlets ranging from designer boutiques, to high street brands, but perhaps the most famous of all is located on the square itself: el Corte Inglés. Within this enormous department store, spread over 3 nearby locations (on Portal de l’Angel, the corner between La Rambla and the Plaça, and all of the north eastern side of the square) you will find everything from a supermarket packed with plenty of pricey gourmet produce, right through to clothes, home furnishings, electronics, and a restaurant and cafe.

ACCESS

Metro: Catalunya (Red Line, L1 / Green Line, L3)