Old Gracia: village squares from Rovira i Trias to Casa Vicens: a walk in Barcelona

A downhill loop through six squares of the old Vila de Gracia: the bench sculpture of the architect who laid out the area, the church square, Rodoreda's Placa del Diamant and the clock-tower square, then Berenguer's iron market and Gaudi's Casa Vicens.

Best time: Late morning, when the market is busy, or early evening when the squares fill with neighbours

The route, stop by stop

1
Placa de Rovira i Trias
Named since 1861 after Antoni Rovira i Trias, the architect who laid out this part of Gracia; Joaquim Camps' sculpture 'A Rovira i Trias' sits among the stone benches. Locals call it the 'Placa dels Tres Senyors'. 10 min.
2
Plaça de la Virreina
Laid out in 1878 by Josep Artigas i Ramoneda, with plane trees and stone benches around the church of Sant Joan (finished 1884); named after the vanished summer palace of Viceroy Manuel d'Amat's widow. 10 min.
Gràcia's favourite square, laid out in 1878 in front of the Sant Joan church (finished 1884) and named after the viceroy Manuel d'Amat's summer palace. Time Out picks it as…
3
Placa del Diamant
The square of Merce Rodoreda's novel, with a statue of its heroine, La Colometa. Works in 1992 found Civil War air-raid shelter no. 232 twelve metres below, built for about 200 people. 10 min.
4
Placa de la Revolucio de Setembre de 1868
Long square named after the September 1868 revolution, a spot for a bench break. 10 min.
5
Placa del Sol
A square dating from around 1840, ringed by terraces. 10 min.
6
Placa de la Vila de Gracia
The old town square and district seat; the octagonal clock tower (Campanar de Gracia), designed by Antoni Rovira i Trias in the 1860s, carries a four-faced clock and the bell called 'la Marieta'. Renamed from Placa de Rius i Taulet only in 2009. 10 min.
7
Mercat de la Llibertat
Iron-and-glass Modernista market by Francesc Berenguer i Mestres: first stone 1888, opened 1893. 20 min.
Gracia's 1888 iron market with Modernista touches, a genuine neighbourhood market with bar counters for breakfast.
8
Casa Vicens
Carrer de les Carolines 18-24: the family house designed by Antoni Gaudi; see the facade from the street or book a visit. 15-60 min.
Gaudi's first house (1883-85), a Moorish-influenced summer home covered in marigold tiles, on a quiet street in Gracia.

Walking directions

Old Gracia: village squares from Rovira i Trias to Casa Vicens

The route, stop by stop

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