If there’s a square in Barcelona that is rich in history from every corner, it’s Plaça del Rei. Why does this square hold so many episodes of the city’s history? Why were these buildings constructed? Who lived in them? Keep reading to discover some of the history that this iconic square holds…
Plaça del Rei: Medieval power center
The buildings that make up this square go back centuries, showing how this square was the center of power during the medieval age. It includes these main structures:
- Palau Reial Major, built in the 9th century, served as the residence of Catalan counts from the 13th to the early 15th century.
- Capella de Santa Àgata, a chapel perched on the ancient Roman city wall.
- El Tinell, on which the Rei Martí lookout tower stands.
- Palau del Lloctinent, now the seat of the Archive of the Crown of Aragon, dating back to the 16th century.
- The former Casa Clariana-Padellàs, now home to the Museum of the History of Barcelona, hiding traces of streets and houses from Roman Barcino underneath.
Subterranean Plaça del Rei: A Roman city
The former Casa Clariana-Padellàs, as mentioned earlier, now houses the Museum of the History of Barcelona. And conceals traces of streets and houses from Roman Barcino beneath the surface! This significant discovery led to the establishment of the Museu d’Història de Barcelona (MUHBA), a must-visit to uncover the captivating history of this city.
The square today
The present-day square Plaça del Rei, along with the area where the Palau del Lloctinent stands today, was once part of the courtyard of the royal palace. Although enclosed by a wall, it was an open space for the people and had been used as a market for centuries.
Today, this same space continues to host cultural events, such as “Divendres a la Plaça del Rei”. This live music event is held on fall and spring Fridays. Also, this square also hosts a bar with a terrace where you can relax and have a drink.
One last curiosity…
And one final curiosity! The column on the right side of the Temple of Augustus stood in Plaça del Rei for a long time. It remained separate until it was integrated into the rest in 1956, along with the remains preserved in the Centre Excursionista de Barcelona.
