Plaça d'Espanya, Barcelona

Barcelona is a city of plazas. One of my favorites is the Plaça d'Espanya. Several major streets intersect here including the Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, Avinguda del Paral·lel, Carrer de la Creu Coberta, and Carrer de Tarragona. In addition, two campaniles inspired by the structure in Plaza San Marco, Venice, serve as gateway to  the Palau Nacional, which houses the city's most important museum: the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya (MNAC).

Built in 1929 for the Universal Exposition, the plaza contains an elaborate allegory of Spain with allusions to its geography, its natural abundance, cultural production, and political achievements. A triangular, monumental fountain in the center designed by Josep Maria Jujol frames the allegorical sculptures designed by Miquel Blay and the brother Miquel y Llucià Oslé. A bronze cauldron with an eternal flame surrounded by 4 "Victories" sits atop the central area.

The Plaça also houses an important transportation hub with train and metro stations as well as numerous bus stops around the square.

While this square often bustles with traffic and pedestrian activity during the day, at night one can enjoy the spectacular lights of the Font màgica and the illuminated Palau Nacional. It is worth a visit during day or night.