Plaça d'Espanya, Barcelona

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One of many interesting squares, there is a great deal of architecture surrounding the square, including the old bull ring - now a shopping center, with the fountain lined boulevard leading up to the famous rotunda fountain and fine art museum above it.

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Plaça de Espanya is a very large square in the centre of Barcelona with monumental buildings and a big fountain on the roundabout in the middle. Since it was remodelled for the first time in 1905, it has been used as a representative place. A mayor redesign took place in 1928 and 1929 for the world exposition when several buildings were destroyed, including four large Doric columns which were placed there only ten years before. The Venetian Towers, designed by Ramón Reventós, are a work from that time. They form a gate which was formerly the gate to the exhibition. You'll surely notice the resemblance between these towers and the Campanile on St. Mark's Square. The fountain (1929) wants to be everything for everyone and does not only depict (in a symbolical form) the different waters of Spain. It also shows fishermen, prosperity, religion, heroism, art and I don't know what. It was designed by Josep Maria Jujol and is just what a monumental neoclassical piece of art in 20th century Spanish dictatorship uses to be. Don't confuse it with the dancing fountains which are just a few steps away! Other notable buildings are the former Bullring (now a shopping mall), the National Museum of Art, the Barcelona Fair buildings (Fira) and the Joan Miró park. Even if the traffic can be annoying as Plaça de Espanya is major traffic hub, take time to have a look at all the buildings from different perspectives.

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By getting of the Bus at Placa D'Espanya and walking up the Avenue to Montjuic Hill, I had an excellent view of the majestic Museu national d'Art building and its lovely gardens. I could have alighted at the nearest stop, but then I would have missed this.

The area leading up to the Museum is terraced and has lovely gardens including sculptures and some other buildings Maybe when you are here, the Fountains will be working, what a spectacular sight that would be, I just wished I could have seen it. I know they do work in the evenings when there is a light and sound show.
At the bottom there is an Information centre, Toilets,some Cafes and plenty of outdoor seating.

The Art Gallery was closed, didn't matter though as I walked completely around this beautiful building, then took my time enjoying the views over Barcelona from the top terrace.
Do try an get here if you can!

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When we first alighted from the Bus, I couldn't help but admire the beautiful central fountain. It was created for the 1929 World exhibition and is surrounded by many beautiful sculptures, much better than the sight of public hangings that were held here until 1715.

The tall Venetian Towers on either side of Avinguda de la Reina María Christina, is the road that leads to the Magic fountain and the Palau National at the Montjuic. Built in 1929, these 47m high towers are modeled on the Bell Tower of the St. Mark's Basilica in Venice.

There were lots of fountains along here and the Magic fountain as well, but none of them were working in the morning. The sights were still good, although would be even better with fountains working.

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It is very central place in Barcelona, connection of different means of transportation (trains, metros). The square is quite big, leading to National Art museum. One part of square is with a fountain and two belfries (1929), designed as a copies of ones in Venice, St. Marcus basilica. The belfries were used as an entrance point of International Exhibition.

The other side of Square of Spain stops near National Museum and famous singing fountain (pity it was not singing at visit time).

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Plaça d'Espanya is Barcelona largest and maybe most famous square. This one to mention is not a kind of relaxing square to hand around but very crowded and full of traffic crossing over it. To one of its corners is the classic Arenas de Barcelona and a bit further from it is the Parc de Joan Miró, that beauty small park that I made tip of it as well with few nice photos.

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Plaça d'Espanya is one of Barcelona's most important squares, where I got off from the aeroport bus from the airport where I got lost the first time on arrival in Barcelona.

At the end of the avenue is where you'll find the musical fountain show every evening after every 30 minutes i think.

Plaza de España (Plaça d'Espanya in Catalan) is one of the most important squares in Barcelona and sits at the foot of Montjuic. It was built for the 1929 International Exhibition. What calls attention are two Venetian towers that are 47 meters tall. These towers were the gateway to the grounds of the International Exhibition. They were inspired by the Campanile of San Marco in Venice. The architect for this project was Ramon Reventos y Farrarons.

There is also a monumental fountain designed by the architect Josep Maria Jujol. It has three large columns and several sculptural groups done by the artist Miquel Blay. The monument is a homage to water, and each sculptural group represents the seas and oceans that wash the coasts of Spain. The Mediterranean and Ebro river is represented with a young man surrounded by youths. The Atlantic Ocean and the Tajo and Guadalquivier Rivers are represented with two old men surrounded by youths. The Cantabric Sea shows a group of youths, which represent the rivers that flow into this sea. The three columns represent Religion, the Arts, and Heroism