Las Ramblas boulevard, Barcelona’s historic promenade

Las Ramblas was created in the 19th century, when Barcelona destroyed the city walls which were limiting its growth and built a promenade to unite the upper part of the city with the sea.

The road gave rise to the Barcelonian word “ramblear”, which means to promenade on Las Ramblas.

The key artery was once packed with the Catalan city’s wealthy — on their way to the theatre — and with visiting American marines, local prostitutes, flower and bird merchants, and vendors from the city’s famed Boqueria market.

Although Barcelonians have long since given Las Ramblas over to the tourists, the historic promenade, which runs from the Plaza de Catalunya to the old port, holds a special place in the city’s heart.

It is home to the city’s political, spiritual and commercial seats of power — the Catalan government and Barcelona’s municipal council, the cathedral and the large church of Santa Maria, as well as the headquarters of banks and the old stock exchange.

The promenade is divided into five parts. The upper part, known as the promenade of Canaletas, houses the fountain of Canaletas — local legend holds that if visitors drink from it, they will return to Barcelona.

Further along is the promenade of students, so called because it housed one of the first universities in the city.

Further still, is the promenade of flowers — named for its florists — and the promenade of the Capucins, with the Boqueria market and the Liceo theatre.

Finally, there is the promenade of Santa Monica, when the promenade ends by the sea, with a statue of Christopher Colombus.