PLAÇA DEL REI

Description

Essentials about Plaça del Rei in brief

Plaça del Rei (King’s Square) is one of the landmarks of Barcelona. Located in the Gothic Quarter, the oldest quarter of the city, the square is the historic seat of the Counts of Barcelona and the Kings of Aragon. Plaça del Rei is surrounded on all sides by Gothic and Renaissance buildings, making it an architectural jewel among Barcelona’s squares. Because of its enclosed design and great acoustics, the square often hosts music concerts and other events.

The architecture of Plaça del Rei

The rectangular shape that still exists today was given to Plaça del Rei as part of the urban development during the reign of King Martin I in the second half of the 14th century. In the course of this transformation, the market that had traditionally been held there was moved to another location and the holding of tournaments was made possible.

The square is surrounded on all sides by Gothic and Renaissance buildings, only on the southeastern side it is connected to the Cathedral by Baixada de Santa Clara and to Carrer del Veguer by Carrer de la Llibreteria.

The buildings on Plaça del Rei

On the northern side is the Palau Reial Major, with a Gothic facade and the Tower of Martin I (Mirador del Rei Martin). On the right, a staircase leads to the Saló del Tinell and the Santa Àgata Chapel, whose façade closes the square on the eastern side. On the southeast side is Casa Padellàs, the seat of the City Historical Museum (MUHBA). Casa Padellàs is a Gothic palace that was transferred from Carrer dels Mercaders to King’s Square during the construction of Via Laietana. Roman remains were also found underground in the square, which can be visited in the museum. On the eastern side is the Palau del Lloctinent, a 16th century Renaissance palace that now houses the archives of the Crown of Aragon.

In the very southern part of Plaça del Rei, the sculpture Topos V by artist Eduardo Chillida was placed. Many years ago, a column of the Temple of Augustus was found there, which today can be visited in the Centre Excursionista de Catalunya (in Carrer del Paradís). Because of its closed construction and its acoustics, King’s Square is often used for concerts and other events.