{"id":558033,"date":"2025-01-06T17:40:26","date_gmt":"2025-01-06T16:40:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.locabarcelona.com\/?page_id=558033"},"modified":"2025-01-07T10:36:29","modified_gmt":"2025-01-07T09:36:29","slug":"plaza-espana","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.locabarcelona.com\/en\/living-in-barcelona\/history-architecture\/plaza-espana\/","title":{"rendered":"Plaza Espana"},"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 Espa\u00f1a<\/h1>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Plaza Espa\u00f1a is one of the most iconic locations in Barcelona. This square has witnessed key moments in the city’s history, including the 1929 International Exhibition, and is surrounded by landmarks that reflect the architectural and cultural evolution of Barcelona, such as the former bullring, the Venetian Towers, and the Palau Nacional. Read on to discover more about the origins of the square and its many attractions.<\/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 Espa\u00f1a<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Although Plaza Espa\u00f1a as we know it today was designed for the 1929 International Exhibition, its story begins 30 years earlier. When urban planner Ildefons Cerd\u00e0 started working on the Eixample project, he included a sketch of Plaza Espa\u00f1a as part of Barcelona\u2019s expansion plan. The idea was to connect the city with the Baix Llobregat area. However, it wasn\u2019t until the 1920s, during the planning of the International Exhibition, that this idea was used as inspiration for the square\u2019s construction.<\/p>

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The exhibition was an event designed to showcase Barcelona\u2019s progress and modernisation. Since it was held on Montju\u00efc hill, Plaza Espa\u00f1a was designed as the \u201cgateway\u201d to welcome attendees to the various events. The project was commissioned to architects Josep Puig i Cadafalch and Guillem Busquets, who developed the initial design.<\/p>

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The exhibition was a pivotal moment in the city\u2019s development. Many of Barcelona\u2019s most renowned landmarks were built for the event, including the Palau Nacional (now home to the MNAC), the Magic Fountain of Montju\u00efc, and Poble Espanyol.<\/p>

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Over the years, Plaza Espa\u00f1a has hosted numerous important events and celebrations, such as parades and the victories of the Spanish national football team and FC Barcelona in the World Cup, the Champions League, and other tournaments. During the annual La Merc\u00e8 Festival, dedicated to the city\u2019s patron saint, the square becomes a hub for outdoor concerts and activities.<\/p>

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Today, Plaza Espa\u00f1a remains a central point of the city, serving as one of Barcelona\u2019s most important landmarks.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Architecture of Plaza Espa\u00f1a\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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Plaza Espa\u00f1a spans over 300,000 m\u00b2, making it the second-largest square named Plaza Espa\u00f1a in the world, after Madrid\u2019s. Its layout was designed to connect key areas of the city, with major avenues like Gran Via, Paral\u00b7lel, and Reina Maria Cristina converging here. The square\u2019s design drew inspiration from Baroque architecture, particularly St Peter\u2019s Square in the Vatican, designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. However, it incorporates elements that pay homage to both Spain and Catalonia.<\/p>

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At the centre of the square stands the Fountain of the Three Seas, designed by Josep Maria Jujol. This fountain symbolises the three rivers that flow into the Iberian Peninsula\u2019s seas: the Ebro, Guadalquivir, and Tagus. The columns of the fountain feature figures representing Spanish themes related to religion, heroism, and the arts.<\/p>

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One of the most iconic landmarks of Plaza Espa\u00f1a is Las Arenas Shopping Centre, a former Neo-Mud\u00e9jar-style bullring. Built in 1900, it functioned as a bullring until 1977. After decades of disuse, renovations began in 2007 to transform it into a shopping centre, which opened in 2011 under the name Las Arenas. With over 30,000 m\u00b2 of shops, restaurants, cinemas, and a panoramic terrace offering stunning views of the city, the building retains its original fa\u00e7ade, showcasing red and green hues inspired by Islamic and Andalusian art, while the interior has been adapted for its new commercial purpose.<\/p>

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Towards Avenida Reina Maria Cristina, visitors will find two architectural highlights: the Venetian Towers, designed by Ramon Revent\u00f3s. These towers, inspired by Venice\u2019s St Mark\u2019s Campanile, were built to resemble grand bell towers.<\/p>

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Passing through the towers leads to spaces like Fira de Barcelona, which hosts events throughout the year, including the Mobile World Congress, the International Motor Show, and the Manga Fair.<\/p>

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Between Plaza Espa\u00f1a and the Palau Nacional lies what is known as the Axis of the 1929 Exhibition. This includes the fountain of Plaza Espa\u00f1a, the statues along Avenida Maria Cristina, the Magic Fountain, and the Four Columns.<\/p>

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The Magic Fountain of Montju\u00efc is one of Barcelona\u2019s most popular attractions. On special evenings, it lights up in vibrant colours and presents spectacular water and music shows.<\/p>

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Between the Magic Fountain and the MNAC, visitors will find the Four Columns of Montju\u00efc, designed by Puig i Cadafalch. These Ionic columns, built in 1919, represent the four red bars of the Catalan flag. Originally located where the Magic Fountain stands today, they were demolished in 1928 during Primo de Rivera\u2019s dictatorship and rebuilt in 2010 slightly further up.<\/p>

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Above the fountain, the Museu Nacional d\u2019Art de Catalunya (MNAC) is housed in the Palau Nacional. This museum features an extensive collection of Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, and modern art, as well as offering breathtaking views of the city.<\/p>

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Plaza Espa\u00f1a is not just a convergence point for major avenues. Its rich history, impressive architecture, and the many attractions surrounding it make it one of Barcelona\u2019s greatest treasures. From its creation in the early 20th century to its modern role as a commercial and tourist hub, Plaza Espa\u00f1a remains an ideal destination for both visitors and locals alike.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Find your dream apartment in Barcelona<\/p>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Contact us if you have any questions or would like to discuss your project.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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How to get there<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhere is Plaza Espa\u00f1a located?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t

Plaza Espa\u00f1a is located in the Montju\u00efc neighbourhood, in the Sants-Montju\u00efc district, 08004 Barcelona.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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By metro: Stop at Espanya (L1 and L3).<\/p>

By bus: Lines D40, H12, H16, L95, and X70.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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You can park at the Arenas Shopping Centre, which is open 24 hours.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Shops: 9:00 to 21:00<\/p>

Leisure activities: 10:00 to 01:00<\/p>

Gym: 7:00 to 21:00<\/p>

Restaurants: Check directly with the specific restaurant<\/a><\/span>.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Make the most of your visit<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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