Plaça de Catalunya - food, shopping, art and culture in Barcelona's bustling centre

When you arrive in Barcelona for the first time, it’s likely you will find you way to the Placa de Catalunya. This huge square is best known as the centre of Barcelona, and as the point at which the old parts of the city (including the Barri Gotic and Raval) and the new parts of the city (mainly the Eixample) come together.

Placa de Catalunya was part of the urban development of the city of Barcelona which took place from the 1800s. After several false starts, the square was finally laid out in 1929 for the 1929 Universal Exposition. A square of some 50,000 square metres, the Placa de Catalunya of today is lined with seats and filled with ornamental gardens with magnificent water features.

Culturally, Placa de Catalunya is known for its statues and fountains, and its mosaics in the underground tunnels that lead to the Metro. Its sculptures include examples of neo-classicism, the reactionary noucentisme movement and various avante garde movements. Among them are Deesa by Josep Clara and Pastor de Pau by Pablo Gargallo. The remarkable modern sculpture which resembles an upturned staircase is the Francesc Macia monument, in honour of the 122^nd president of Catalonia.

The floor of the square is decorated with coloured tiles, the impact of which can best be seen from above. Take tea in the ninth floor café of the huge Corte Ingles department store to best see it – you will also enjoy some of the best views of the city. The square’s other stores, including Sephora, occupy many of the splendid buildings.

Barcelona’s most famous café, Café Zurich, whose history a haunt of artists and political activists for 100 years, can be found in the square. The square is perennially busy, especially at the weekend, and is a favourite meeting place for locals. It is also known for its flocks of pigeons.

The Placa de Catalunya a meeting place in more ways than one. It joins nine of Barcelona’s most important streets and avenues, including La Rambla and the Passeig de Gracia. Most buses, including the airport, City and open-top tourist buses stop here. Below street level, the Plaça de Catalunya is a main transport hub, connecting three metro lines and a railway line. Taxis are plentiful, and there is also a main tourist information centre.