As much as I like visiting cities for their history, architecture and art, I also like to find a quiet corner for some peace and quiet, and after visiting the Barri Gòtic I decided to head for the Parc de la Ciutadella which, as it turned out, included all three of the above as well.

After leaving the Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar, I negotiated my way through some of the old back streets towards the Passeig de Lluis Companys. This pedestrian boulevard is named after the former prominent Republican politician and Catalan President, who, after finding himself on the losing side in the Spanish Civil War, was executed at Barcelona’s Montjuic Castle in 1940.

This popular avenue of palm trees where locals enjoy a paseo is embellished by some impressive decorative lampposts designed by Pedro Falquès – and at the far end is Barcelona’s very own Arc de Triomf.

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Originally posted 2025-08-05 05:59:21.