Placa del Rei (King's Square), Barcelona
King's Square epitomizes Barcelona's historical essence as the center of county and royal authority. Originating from an urbanization initiative by King Mart铆 I of Aragon, otherwise known as Mart铆 the Human, in the late 14th century, the square was designed to host tournaments, displacing the traditional market. It retains a rectangular shape and is encased by Gothic and Renaissance buildings, creating a closed circuit except for its southwest end.
The square's name comes from the Grand Royal Palace of the Counts of Barcelona whose Gothic facade dominates its north side. The palace complex also encompasses the exquisite 13th-century Royal Chapel of Santa Agata and the romantic Renaissance Tower of King Mart铆, which offers views over the medieval city. The eastern edge is marked by the 14th-century Tinell Hall, the palace's central hall, accessible via a staircase.
According to historians, it was on these very steps, which spread out from the corner of the square, that in 1493 King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella welcomed Christopher Columbus and his crew upon their return from the first successful voyage to the New World. Once used as a meeting place for the Spanish Inquisition, the hall capitalized on the popular belief that its walls would reveal any lies spoken within. Nowadays, the building hosts temporary exhibitions and occasional concerts.
This square's main royal edifices can be accessed through the Barcelona History Museum, housed in the impressive Gothic Padell脿s building. Together with the 16th-century Renaissance Lieutenant鈥檚 Palace, they complete the square's layout.
Additionally, King's Square's underground shelters extensive Roman ruins, uncovered in 1935. Ten years later, during renovations on the neighboring Counts Street, another archaeological discovery was made 鈥� an early Christian basilica, initially thought to be a primitive cathedral. In 1954, they also unearthed a 1st-century Roman pavement and nymphaeum (a shrine to the nymphs), providing insights into the area's historical development.
Due to its tremendous acoustic and almost enclosed structure, the square often serves as a venue for musical concerts and public events.
Tip:
The Barcelona History Museum, open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am鈥�7 pm and on Sunday from 10 am鈥�8 pm, offers a fascinating glimpse into Roman and early Christian Barcelona. Visitors can explore ancient Roman ruins on a tour beginning underground and concluding in a lively square, perfect for relaxing with a drink.
The square's name comes from the Grand Royal Palace of the Counts of Barcelona whose Gothic facade dominates its north side. The palace complex also encompasses the exquisite 13th-century Royal Chapel of Santa Agata and the romantic Renaissance Tower of King Mart铆, which offers views over the medieval city. The eastern edge is marked by the 14th-century Tinell Hall, the palace's central hall, accessible via a staircase.
According to historians, it was on these very steps, which spread out from the corner of the square, that in 1493 King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella welcomed Christopher Columbus and his crew upon their return from the first successful voyage to the New World. Once used as a meeting place for the Spanish Inquisition, the hall capitalized on the popular belief that its walls would reveal any lies spoken within. Nowadays, the building hosts temporary exhibitions and occasional concerts.
This square's main royal edifices can be accessed through the Barcelona History Museum, housed in the impressive Gothic Padell脿s building. Together with the 16th-century Renaissance Lieutenant鈥檚 Palace, they complete the square's layout.
Additionally, King's Square's underground shelters extensive Roman ruins, uncovered in 1935. Ten years later, during renovations on the neighboring Counts Street, another archaeological discovery was made 鈥� an early Christian basilica, initially thought to be a primitive cathedral. In 1954, they also unearthed a 1st-century Roman pavement and nymphaeum (a shrine to the nymphs), providing insights into the area's historical development.
Due to its tremendous acoustic and almost enclosed structure, the square often serves as a venue for musical concerts and public events.
Tip:
The Barcelona History Museum, open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am鈥�7 pm and on Sunday from 10 am鈥�8 pm, offers a fascinating glimpse into Roman and early Christian Barcelona. Visitors can explore ancient Roman ruins on a tour beginning underground and concluding in a lively square, perfect for relaxing with a drink.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Barcelona. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: 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.
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Placa del Rei (King's Square) on Map
Sight Name: Placa del Rei (King's Square)
Sight Location: Barcelona, Spain (See walking tours in Barcelona)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Barcelona, Spain (See walking tours in Barcelona)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Barcelona, Spain
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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.
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Our journey through Gaudi's Barcelona begins at the G眉ell 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
Our journey through Gaudi's Barcelona begins at the G眉ell 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 Shopping Walk
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Gothic Quarter Walking Tour
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
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
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Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.0 Km or 3.1 Miles
La Ribera Walking Tour
La Ribera is a culturally rich, historic area of Barcelona鈥檚 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 鈥� a popular... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Picasso's Barcelona Walking Tour
Pablo Picasso 鈥� the great Spanish painter and sculptor 鈥� 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
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
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