Barcelona is set to reclaim a key piece of its medieval heritage with the full redevelopment of Plaça de la Llana in the Sant Pere, Santa Caterina i la Ribera neighbourhood. The Ajuntament (city council) has approved plans to restore the public space, which played a central role in the city’s economic life over 500 years ago as a hub for the wool trade.
The square, historically significant as both a commercial and cultural site, hosted the first Jocs Florals, poetic contests that symbolised the revival of Catalan language and culture. However, the arrival of motor vehicles eroded its communal character, reducing pedestrian access and social use. Now, under a project backed by municipal approval, the space will be reconfigured to prioritise people over traffic.
New Design to Restore Identity
The redesign, funded with a €104,345 investment, will last six months and eliminate existing steps to create a uniform, level surface. A central fountain will be preserved alongside the current plane tree, and two accessible seating areas will be established without elevation changes. Existing urban furniture will be reused, and LED lighting with anti-graffiti and anti-adhesive finishes will be installed.
The aim is to restore the lost identity of Plaça de la Llana and reinforce its historical and community value.
Civil works will also prepare for a future irrigation system, avoiding the need for disruptive renovations once it is implemented. The plan aligns with broader efforts to improve public spaces in Ciutat Vella, a district designated as a high-tourism area where the council has committed to enhancing liveability and local engagement.
Layered History Uncovered
Archaeological work at nearby Plaça de la Llana, 23, documented by Barcelona’s Archaeology Service, has revealed layers of history beneath modern structures, including walls and arches from a 14th-century manor linked to the Pia Almoina charitable institution. By the 15th century, the building served as the Hostal de Sant Pere, later subdivided in the 18th century. In the 19th century, part of the site operated as a chocolate factory.
These findings, held in the city’s open-access repository BCNROC, underscore the deep historical roots of the area. While the current renovation does not involve excavation, it reflects a wider municipal strategy to integrate historical awareness into urban planning.
Primary sources: ajuntament.barcelona.cat, ajuntament.barcelona.cat, ajuntament.barcelona.cat, Ramon, bcnroc.ajuntament.barcelona.cat, bcnroc.ajuntament.barcelona.cat, bcnroc.ajuntament.barcelona.cat. Reported by Kaleena Fraga, Sonja Anderson, uvic.cat, v. gaillard, av.startpage.com, LEONOR, newsweek.com, publicacions.iec.cat, blocs.xtec.cat, Banegas López, Ramón Agustín, metropoliabierta.cat.
