Barcelona: art and architecture on the streets

In Barcelona there are many art works, both in its museums and on its streets. If you are visiting Barcelona, surely you already know the most famous monuments and museums. However, finding all these hidden masterpieces can be tricky.

Therefore, if you want to enjoy the impressive architecture of the city, its sculptures, buildings or its more urban art, here are some of the best recommendations to get to know the most artistic part of the Catalan capital.

Sculptures and artworks in Barcelona, the essence of the Catalan capital

The Wounded Shooting Star Sculpture – L’Estel Ferit

Where is it? Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta, s / n, 08003 Barcelona

Right on the Barceloneta promenade, the beach of Barcelona, we find a sculpture made by the artist Rebecca Horn for the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games. This artwork carries the name ” L’Estel Ferit” (The Wounded Star) and is one of the greatest symbols of the Barceloneta neighborhood, the old fisherman’s neighborhood. The sculpture is composed of four steel and glass cubes with windows that pile up in a disorderly manner and form a tower that reaches a length of 10 meters. Your Instagram followers are going to love this picture!

Bishop’s bridge (Gothic Arch) – Pont del Bisbe

Where is it? Carrer del Bisbe, 08002 Barcelona

The Bisbe Street is one of the most photographed places in the Barcelona Gothic district. This street is a narrow pedestrian route that unites the Sant Jaume square with the Nova square. One of the most emblematic elements of this street, the Pont del Bisbe, is a bridge built in 1928 by Joan Rubió i Bellver, during the dictatorship of Miguel Primo de Rivera. It is a beautiful arch/bridge with a late Gothic style balcony (or flamboyant Gothic), of indescribable beauty. The legend tells that when going underneath you must make a wish, which is always fulfilled.

The world is born in every Kiss – El mundo nace en cada beso

Where is it? Plaça d’Isidre Nonell, 6-8, 08002 Barcelona

The artist Joan Fontcuberta inaugurated this piece in 2014, a permanent work of art located in the Plaza Isidre Nonell in Barcelona, ​​a few steps from the Cathedral of Barcelona. The work consists of a ceramic photo mural, that represents two sets of lips kissing each other. This ceramic photo mural is made up of 4,000 images sent by the locals and it is an original and beautiful background for your photos.

The Coquettish Giraffe and Meditation (The Thinker Bull) Sculptures – La Girafa Coqueta i Meditació (el Brau Pensador)

Where is it? Rambla de Catalunya with Avenida Diagonal

These two sculptures made by the artist Josep Granyer were commissioned by the friends of Las Ramblas Association. Both represent animals, a giraffe and a bull, which form one of the most photogenic couples in the center of Barcelona. The giraffe is in a comical and flirtatious position, making it one of the most striking artistic elements of Las Ramblas. On the other hand, the bull emulates the position of the well-known sculpture “Rodin’s thinker” and is, supposedly, the sentimental partner of the giraffe.

Boteros’ Cat Sculpture – El Gat de Botero

Where is it? Rambla del Raval

Botero is one of the most internationally recognized Spanish artists and that’s why he has also left his mark on the well-known Rambla del Raval in Barcelona. Botero sought, through this gigantic feline, to pay an homage to one of our most common pets, taking it to large dimensions and disproportioning it, giving it a new meaning. This is one of the main themes of Botero’s artistic work. Today, this nice and huge statue is loved both by residents and visitors.

Match Cover Sculpture – Els Mistos

Where is it? Avinguda del Cardenal Vidal i Barraquer

In the Vall d’Hebrón Olympic area of Barcelona we find one of the best representatives of Barcelona Pop Art. This well-known artistic work is called “El Mistos” (known as Match Cover in English) and it is a sculpture of more than 20 meters high that was inaugurated in 1992, for the Barcelona Olympic Games. It’s located in the Horta neighborhood, an area that is currently residential since it was originally built as the Olympic village for the athletes that competed in 1992. The sizes and materials transgression reflects the conception of the artist.

Gambrinus, Javier Mariscal’s Prawn Sculpture – La Gamba de Mariscal

Where is it? Ronda Litoral

Barcelona was the Mecca of the Spanish comic-book industry between the 50s and 80s, thanks among others, to the Bruguera publishing house and to the work of artists like Mariscal. This sculpture of large proportions forms a spice of porch with a shrimp of comic cut in its upper part. The statue is in Port Vell and draws the attention of tourists who stroll through Barcelona for its friendly appearance, as if it were a cartoon from a TV show, especially because of its sympathetic smile.

Tribute to Picasso – Homenatge a Picasso

Where is it? Paseo Picasso 1

Barcelona is one of the cities where the great artist from Málaga, Pablo Picasso, lived and worked the longest. For that reason, it would have been unforgettable not to pay an homage to the artists and the streets he used to walk through. Antoni Tàpies shows in this work located on Paseo Picasso, next to the Ciutadella Park, his avant-garde style. Although the statue was not liked by all at the time, it is a beautiful tribute to the life of this great Spanish artist.

Casa Amatller by Josep Puig i Cadafalch

Where is it? Passeig de Gràcia 41-43

At the beginning of 1900 Josep Puig i Cadalfach was commissioned by Antoni Amatller, a well-known chocolate maker, to create this building. Surrounded by a Gothic courtyard, the roof has the shape of a staircase and numerous ornaments of porcelain pieces, which represent candy, and gives a unique appearance to this house. There are great details like the rat holding the camera or the monkey grinding coffee.

Featured image: Gambrinus, Mariscal’s sculpture, Barcelona