Plaça del Rei (King's Square)

Chapter 8/11 · Barcelona

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The Plaça del Rei is one of the most monumental corners of the city. It is surrounded by the buildings of the Palau Reial Major, residence of the Counts of Barcelona and the Kings of Aragon: the Saló del Tinell, the tower of the Mirador del Rei Martí, the chapel of Santa Àgata and the Palau del Lloctinent. The square is closed by the Casa Padellàs, from the 16th century, moved stone by stone from Carrer Mercaders when the Via Laietana was opened.

It was once the palace courtyard and was used as a market; its rectangular shape is attributed to a remodelling in the second half of the 14th century, under Martin I, to host jousts. During the works of 1931 to 1934 important remains of the Roman city appeared beneath the square, which led to the Barcelona History Museum, housed in the Casa Padellàs since 1943. Beneath your feet you can walk through ancient Barcino.

On 7 December 1492, on the palace steps, King Ferdinand the Catholic survived an assassination attempt by Joan de Canyamars. It is said that in this palace the Catholic Monarchs received Christopher Columbus on his return from his first voyage. The steel sculpture is “Topos V” by Eduardo Chillida, installed in 1986.

We leave along Carrer dels Comtes and the Baixada de la Llibreteria, cross the Via Laietana and continue along Carrer de l'Argenteria to Santa Maria del Mar.

← Temple of Augustus · Santa Maria del Mar and Fossar de les Moreres →