Plaça Reial, Barcelona

Plaça Reial is a spacious arcaded square, created on the site of a demolished Capuchin convent. Its rectangular plan and continuous stone paving give the space a strong, unified character, while terraces occupy the sheltered edges. Francesc Daniel Molina i Casamajó designed the square, and the surrounding buildings were constructed from 1850 to 1859.

At the heart of the square stands the iron fountain known as the Three Graces, made by the Durenne foundry in Paris. Look across the paving for the two central lamps designed by Antoni Gaudí; their sculpted forms are among the square’s most distinctive details. The square now serves as a lively meeting place, with restaurants, bars, nightlife, and outdoor venues. On Sunday mornings, collectors gather here for a market devoted to coins and stamps.