Plaça de la Vila de Gràcia

In the heart of the district of Gràcia there is this lovely square, nowadays, a pedestrian area and a playground for children.

Gràcia is a district in the city of Barcelona, known for its bohemian atmosphere and colorful streets. It is known for its small, independent shops and restaurants, as well as its vibrant community.

The origins of Gràcia as a district are related to its history as an independent town before it was annexed to Barcelona in the 19th century. At that time, Gràcia was a small agricultural village on the outskirts of Barcelona, but it began to grow rapidly as the city expanded. The residents of Gràcia had a strong sense of community and identity, and they resisted being absorbed into Barcelona. They formed their own local government and held their own town hall meetings, and their struggle for autonomy became known as the "War of the Streets." Eventually, the residents of Gràcia were successful in their efforts and the town was officially annexed to Barcelona in 1897.

It is also famous for its Festes de Gràcia, an annual street festival where the neighborhood's streets are decorated with intricate and colorful displays.

In the center of this square there is a bell tower (built by the architect Antoni Rovira i Trias) which became famous during an insurrection in April 1870, the "Revolta de les Quintes". At that time, the Spanish army wanted to keep recruiting young men to keep control of the Spanish colonies in America after many years of fights, but the people of Gràcia refused. They started to ring the bell, known as "la Marieta", to inform the neighbors of Gràcia about the arrival of the troops.

The troops tried to destroy the bell tower with cannonballs, but they didn't make it and, after the siege, it became a symbol of the entire district.

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