Plaça de la Seu [Plaça de la Catedral], Barcelona, Spain, 2009
Wast space in-front of the Barcelona Cathedral [la Seu in Catalan means seat or cathedra] exist as public open space since roman times when it was facing old inner city walls [first photo right]. First basilica was erected here in the year 343. Existing cathedral was built over 11th century visigothic chapel during 14th and 15th but the towers were not finished until 1913. Old roman city walls are still clearly visible and incorporated mainly in the cloister at the south side of the church. Part of the old aqueduct bringing water to the city from surrounding hills is reconstructed together with one of the main city gates [second photo right]. Carrer del Bisbe [Bisbe is Barcelona original name] is taking you from here to the roman forum [see Plaça de Saint Jaume].

Space is very popular, visited by most of the Barcelona visitors, frequented by local performers hoping for some "tourist" income, but be aware of the multitude of thief looking for the opportunity to grab your purse, bag, camera, anything, and run away. We witnessed in a several occasions how manipulative they can be and steal camera and a wallet from the tables in the small restaurant facing the cathedral.
Picasso also contributed to the image of this plaça, his mural is on the one of the buildings on plaça nova space incorporated to this square [third photo].

Just across the busy via Laietana is extension of this space with beautifully restored and expanded Mercat Santa Caterina [photo bellow].

Other view from this place from 2004.

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sociability
9
ceremonial
x
uses & activities
10
religious
x
access & linkages
10
social
x
comfort
10
residential
x
image
10
court yard
x
tourist value
10
with park
x
total
59
street, shopping
x
..........



urban squares initiative by aleksandar janicijevic is licensed under a creative commons attribution-share alike 2.5 canada license.

Last time updated on Friday, October 25, 2013, 10:50 AM