Next to the Rambla there is one of the most unique arcaded squares in Barcelona, which exudes a colonial air, the “Placa Real”, this name was given to it in honor of the Catholic Monarchs.
Designed by the architect Francesc Daniel Molina on the space that had been occupied by the old Capuchin convent of Santa Madrona, burned down during the revolts against the church in 1835.
In 1948 work began on the square, which was built in honor and glory of Fernando VII. The central part was formerly occupied by a statue of Ferdinand the Catholic, in 1876 the statue was removed and replaced by an iron fountain, the Fountain of the Three Graces, created by Antonio Durenne and in its upper part we find 3 statues of the Carites. The fountain was removed in 1892 to place it on the Rambla del Poblenou, but in 1926 it returned to the Plaza Real.
The area is dotted with restaurants with their terraces between porticoes, at night there are entertainment venues for a drink, at the live Jazz Jamboree or at the Sidecar Factory concert hall and disco, or the Glacier Bar that has been operating since 1929. and you can have breakfast in the morning to listen to a concert at night, you can also go to the oldest Flamenco Tablao in Barcelona “Los Tarantos”.
Curiosities:
The lampposts that you will find are the work of a young architecture graduate named Antoni Gaudí. Look at the top of the lamppost with the winged helmet of Mercury and the two coiled serpents.
