Placa de Sant Josep Oriol (St. Joseph Oriol Square), Barcelona

51±¬ÁÏÍø

Placa de Sant Josep Oriol (St. Joseph Oriol Square), Barcelona

Placa de Sant Josep Oriol (St. Joseph Oriol Square), Barcelona

Saint Joseph Oriol's Square in Barcelona is named after Josep Oriol, a 17th-century priest renowned for his dedication to treating the impoverished sick in the nearby Basilica of Santa Maria del Pi. The square occupies what was once a parish graveyard. Over time, concerns over health issues led to the paving of the cemetery to mitigate the risk of infection.

While the statue of Sant Josep Oriol adorns one of the doorways overlooking the square, it may require some effort to locate. Other key attractions in the area include a bronze sculpture of Angel Guimerà, an esteemed figure in Catalan literature. Positioned near the church, Guimerà's statue is often surrounded by local painters displaying their art during weekends, creating a scene reminiscent of Paris's Montmartre. The Fivaller Palace, another significant structure, houses the Catalan Agricultural Institute of Saint Isidro. Originally built in the late 16th century and renovated in the 18th century, it stands as a historical landmark at Nº4.

Also noteworthy is a large plaque on the church's wall commemorating the miraculous survival from a fall by the builder José Mestres, who fell from the roof, while working on it, without sustaining serious injuries.

The northern wall of the same church features the "Square of the Unknown Soldier" inscription. Painted during the Civil War in 1939, it pays anonymous tribute to those who resisted Franco's forces. The inscription was painted over during Franco's regime but was restored to its original state in 2009.

Additionally, Bar del Pi, one of the city's most iconic watering holes, occupies the 18th-century building at Nº1, offering a historical and emblematic spot for refreshment. Meanwhile, the Placeta del Pi cafe, tucked in behind the church, with its outdoor tables, is a convenient spot for coffee or tapas.

The square often serves as a venue for markets, selling natural products or artworks, as well as impromptu concerts by street musicians.

Tip:
Nearby, Carrer de la Palla is a charming street adorned with a variety of shops offering antiques, clothing, and books.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Barcelona. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51±¬ÁÏÍø: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The 51±¬ÁÏÍø App

Placa de Sant Josep Oriol (St. Joseph Oriol Square) on Map

Sight Name: Placa de Sant Josep Oriol (St. Joseph Oriol Square)
Sight Location: Barcelona, Spain (See walking tours in Barcelona)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Barcelona, Spain

Create Your Own Walk in Barcelona

Create Your Own Walk in Barcelona

Creating your own self-guided walk in Barcelona is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Montjuic Walking Tour

Montjuic Walking Tour

Montjuic is a hill in Barcelona which offers a variety of great attractions of historic, cultural, and architectural value. Here, you can watch a spectacular water show at the Magic Fountain of Montjuic, visit the place where matadors faced the bulls in the past, and explore the ancient Montjuic Castle with its breathtaking views.

A convenient start point, Placa d'Espanya is the second...  view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.0 Km or 3.1 Miles
Picasso's Barcelona Walking Tour

Picasso's Barcelona Walking Tour

Pablo Picasso – the great Spanish painter and sculptor – developed his style in Barcelona where he spent the formative years of his life, from the ages of 14 to 23. It is said that when the master spoke nostalgically of home, he actually meant the Catalonian capital, despite having been born in Malaga.

This self-guided walk will take you to the Picasso Museum, the bar-restaurant and the art...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.2 Km or 2.6 Miles
Antoni Gaudí's Masterpieces Walking Tour

Antoni Gaudí's Masterpieces Walking Tour

Antoni Gaudi, a seminal figure in the Catalan Modernism movement, is one of the top architects of the 20th century. The unique technique and use of natural forms in his works stand out from the pack and have left an indelible mark on the face of Barcelona.

Our journey through Gaudi's Barcelona begins at the Güell Palace, by far the most budget-friendly of his projects. Located near La...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.6 Km or 2.9 Miles
Barcelona Introduction Walking Tour

Barcelona Introduction Walking Tour

According to legend, Barcelona was founded by the mythological Greek hero Hercules on one of his expeditions, when a storm hit his boats. The first eight boats managed to escape without damage, but the ninth was lost at sea. Hercules found his lost friends some days later on the coast, all safe and sound. The boat's crew, taken by the beauty of the coastal landscape, decided to stay. On that...  view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.7 Km or 3.5 Miles
La Ribera Walking Tour

La Ribera Walking Tour

La Ribera is a culturally rich, historic area of Barcelona’s Old Town; somewhat less touristy than the Gothic Quarter (which one should really visit as well) and quite unspoiled, authentic and pretty. Centuries ago, it was a very well-to-do neighborhood inhabited by aristocrats, merchants, wealthy sailors, and Jewish money-lenders. Today, it is regarded as the Soho of Barcelona – a popular...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Barcelona Shopping Walk

Barcelona Shopping Walk

A long-time prime cultural destination, Barcelona is also en route to becoming one of Europe's top shopping spots. Each new day, fashionable designer stores, from well-known international brands to local start-ups, are filling the city streets. If you're a fan of shopping, you're in for a treat when visiting this beautiful city. Here are some of the most popular shopping locations...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip


Barcelona Souvenir Shopping: 17 Uniquely Spanish Things to Buy

Barcelona Souvenir Shopping: 17 Uniquely Spanish Things to Buy

Spain, in general, and Barcelona, in particular, are a treasure trove of all things exciting. Set your foot in Barcelona and you'll be spoiled for the choice of things worth trying and taking home. Before your head starts spinning, check this guide out to put yourself in the right...
Top 10 Spanish Foods and Drinks to Try in Barcelona

Top 10 Spanish Foods and Drinks to Try in Barcelona

In the countries like Spain, food is a national heritage and cultural attraction in its own right. The latter is even more true of Catalonia in general and Barcelona in particular. Presented here are the 10 staples of Catalan food tradition, missing which would be a gastronomical...
10 Sightseeing Walks During Covid-19

10 Sightseeing Walks During Covid-19

Borders closed, flights canceled. As countries across the globe scrambling to curb the spread of coronavirus, it is nearly impossible to travel these days. For those with wanderlust at heart, living without exploring is a really tough challenge. But even in times of hardship like this, one should...