Located in the heart of the Gothic Quarter, it has been a part of Barcelona for centuries. The square was originally built in 1420 by King Alfonso V as a royal palace and was known as Plaça del Rei or “King’s Square” until 1714 when it was renamed to its current name – La Plaça del Pi (Pi Square).
The square is an important symbol of Barcelona’s history and culture, having served many purposes over time. In 1640, it became home to the first public library in Spain – Biblioteca de la Real Academia de Historia Natural y Política – which held some 40,000 books at its peak. It also served as a marketplace where people could buy food and other goods from local merchants until 1835 when markets were banned from the area due to overcrowding.
Today, visitors can explore this historic site while taking in stunning views of nearby buildings such as Santa Maria del Mar Church and El Palau Reial Major (Royal Palace). There are several monuments within the square, including statues dedicated to Catalan writers Jacint Verdaguer and Josep Carner; a fountain with four bronze lions representing each province of Catalonia; and two columns topped with sculptures depicting Saint George slaying a dragon on one side and Santiago Matamoros on another.
Aside from being an interesting tourist attraction, The Pi Square plays host to many events throughout the year like concerts, art exhibitions, festivals, religious processions etc., making it an ideal spot for locals who want to take part in cultural activities or just relax after work hours surrounded by beautiful architecture.
