When you first land in Barcelona (or even if it is not your first time visiting the city…) you can’t help but look up most of the time to contemplate those buildings with centuries of history. But here is a suggestion: don’t forget to look down at some point… To be specific, make sure to pay attention also to the Barcelona sidewalk tiles ;-)
What is the “panot”?
“Panot” is an iconic Barcelona sidewalk tile made out of which has the shape of a flower with four petals drawn on it. Why a flower? What does it mean? As it usually happens when exploring the many mysterious spots in the city, these Barcelona sidewalk tiles also hide a story behind them.
Before this Barcelona sidewalk tile called “panot”: Can Fanga
These sidewalk tiles were placed in 1906 and until then Barcelona was known as “Can Fanga” due to the effects of the rainfalls in the city. And even some magazines satirized with vignettes about the effects of the floods in the city:
Barcelona sidewalk and streets were covered in “fang” (mud) after the rain. So it was the neighbors who were in charge of maintaining the plots of land that were assigned to them. And the Barcelona city council finally took a decision to avoid that city scenario every time it rained.
In search of a company to create sidewalk tiles
The city council finally made a call for tender to choose a company which would be in charge of paving the city ground. Specifically they would create 10.000 m2 of sidewalk tiles following a design sample consisting of these specific shapes:
And this Barcelona sidewalk tile became a symbol
Casa Escofet was finally the company chosen for the work so part of the city ground was paved with the “panot”, a Barcelona sidewalk tile which became a symbol of the city over time. And from that moment on, Barcelona would never look the same after rain floods. “Can Fanga” was history.
Panots as a souvenir
Before knowing the story of this Barcelona sidewalk tile called “panot”, that figure was familiar to you without you even realizing. While walking the streets of the gothic neighborhood, you might have seen a panot in many forms: purses, ceramics, candles… As a symbol of Barcelona, they also turned into a souvenir. Or a figure to keep at home to remind you of the (beautiful) city you live in ;-)
So here is another mystery unveiled. Now you know the story behind those flowers on the ground that sometimes might go unnoticed ;-)
And if you want to keep discovering some other curious stories we suggest you to read the story behind one of the most famous fountain in Barcelona, Canaletas.