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The Plaça Catalunya, considered the most centric point in the ctiy, is the nexus of union between
Ciutat Vella, the oldest part of Barcelona, and the Eixample area, urbanised in the XIXth Century through the demolition of the medieval walls.
It is the starting point towards the emblematic avenue of
Las Ramblas, the Portal of l'Àngel, the
Paseo de Gràcia and the
Rambla Catalunya, as well as a place of reference, both for natives of Barcelona and for tourists, since it is perhaps the most important center of the urban communications of the city.
It was projected by the architect Francesc de Paula Nebot and inaugurated in 1927. Architectonically speaking, it emphasises a shrine with a central colonnade placed in the highest part, a big fountain and 28 sculptures of stone and bronze, entrusted to the principal sculptors of the moment:
Frederic Marès,
Eusebi Arnau i Mascort,
Josep Llimona, Josep Clarà … In 1991, a monument in honor to Francesc Macià was added, work of
Josep Maria Subirachs.
It has been a place of reception for big events that have marked the city. In 1986, a giant screen installed in the square transmitted the ceremony of proclamation of Barcelona as head office of the Olympic Games of 1992, and in 2003 it lodged thousands of demonstrators against the war of Iraq, in which they had a luminous mosaic with the peace sign, an image that crossed the entire world. Also, it has been the stage, in many occasions, of the free concerts of the Mercè festivals.
Around the square there are department stores as El Corte Ingles, FNAC and Hábitat. Another important point is the Café Zuric, a popular snack bar located in one of the corners of the square that has turned into the principal meeting point of the city.