Discover Plaça del Rei in Barcelona

Hidden in a corner of the Gothic, Plaça del Rei represents like no other place in the city the noble spirit and the medieval past of Barcelona. Presided over by the Royal Palace, this square is a place full of history that you cannot miss during your visit to the Catalan capital.

The Royal Palace

In its origins, Plaça del Rei was used as the palace yard and later markets and tournaments were held in this space. This building, built in the 9th century, was the residence of the Catalan counts from the 13th century until the beginning of the 15th. Although it has Visigothic and Roman remains, the predominant style of the building is Gothic. One of the most emblematic rooms in this palace is the Saló del Tinell, which today is used as an exhibition hall and is a must-see for all tourists who pass by.

Medieval and Roman legacy

On one side of the Royal Palace is the lookout tower of King Martí and on the other side, on the old Roman wall of Barcelona, ​​stands the royal chapel of Santa Àgata, with ceilings and altarpieces by Jaume Huguet in the interior Right in front, we find the Palau del Lloctinent, which today is the headquarters of the Archives of the Crown of Aragon and dates from the 16th century. Inside this palace, you can admire the valuable Renaissance courtyard, which is worth seeing. Closing the architectural ensemble of the square, there is the old Clariana-Padellàs House, which is currently the headquarters of the Museum of the History of the City of Barcelona. This museum hides underground traces of the streets, houses and shops of the ancient Roman city of Barcino, and allows you to explore Barcelona's past in a fascinating way.

La Plaça del Rei is a place that arouses curiosity and invites you to take a trip back in time. This square, full of history, transports you to medieval times and allows you to experience all the nobility that is hidden between its thousand-year-old walls. Don't miss this jewel of the Barcelona Gothic during your visit to the city.