The red brick Arc de Triomf in Barcelona, Spain was built by architect Josep Vilaseca i Casanovas in the Neo-Mudéjar style as the main access gate for the 1888 Barcelona World’s Fair. Today, it crosses over the wide central promenade leading to the Ciutadella Park, which now occupies the former site. The arch contains several stone carvings:
- In the front – the frieze “Barcelona Welcomes the Nations” by Josep Reynés
- In the back – the frieze “Recompense” by Josep Llimona, representing the granting of awards to the participants in the World Exposition
- Along the sides – there are several allegories:
- of Agriculture and Industry by Antoni Vilanova
- of Trade and Art by Torquat Tassó
- The two pillars of the arch also feature carved bats, which were the emblem of King Jaume I, who ruled over a period of prosperity in Barcelona.
Similar triumphal arches can be found in many other cities, most notably: the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, the Wellington Arch in London, and the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Arch in Brooklyn (New York City), not to mention those from the Roman era. Unlike the others, however, this arch does not celebrate the country’s military victories, but rather (being built as the entrance to the 1888 World’s Fair), was intended to welcome people.
- Visited: 2018
Traces of Places 