You’ve looked up a lot, now look down. Barcelona always surprises
Walking through the streets of Barcelona is one of the free pleasures and most interesting attractions to enjoy. With its modernist architecture, contemporary side, and artistic flair, the city has charm in every corner. Even its historic buildings attract tourists, such as Casa Vicens, Casa Batlló, Palau de la Música Catalana, among others. However, there is a hidden symbol that few appreciate, and it’s looking down at you. Here’s its story.
Its fascinating history and controversy
The Panot of Barcelona is one of the most iconic images of the city, alongside the Sagrada Familia. You can see it on souvenirs, t-shirts, postcards, and most notably, on the ground. In the capital of Catalonia, art can be found where you least expect it, and this is a clear example. Its history is tied to the city’s largest urban expansion period, and it continues to be part of the city today, even if it’s not always appreciated.
If you look at it, you’ll directly see a four-petaled flower, and the tile itself is simply made with sand, cement, and water. However, when it comes to who created it, the authorship is typically attributed to architect Josep Puig i Cadafalch (1867-1956), the same one who designed Casa Amatller in the famous “Block of Discord” on Passeig de Gràcia. Still, this can’t be confirmed 100%.
This is because it is also attributed to a public competition held in 1906 by the City Hall of Barcelona for the acquisition of 10,000 square meters of tiles, alongside a sample of 18 designs that did not specify dimensions or weight. In the end, the competition was won by Casa Escofet, a family business dedicated to pavement manufacturing. Among the competing designs, there were skulls, concentric circles, four squares, and four squares with four circles.
The Panots today
Innovation in Barcelona’s pavements is something that remains relevant to this day. Currently, the standard tiles are the most common and cover about five million square meters. However, other materials and textures coexist, ranging from cobblestones, reinforced concrete, asphalt, to rubber. You can also see non-slip hexagonal ramps, “framing” like the one in Plaza Sant Jaume, or the colorful patterns found along La Rambla and Avenida Pau Casals. A great variety for all tastes.
An important detail is that today, few streets have a specific Panot design. For example, the one on Passeig de Gràcia was installed during the renovation, is gray, and was designed by Gaudí. In fact, in 1977, another model was placed, which was a re-interpretation, larger in size, blue, and with the relief inverted. These fake tiles can still be seen in some parking islands along the boulevard.
“Next time you walk through Barcelona, look down. You’ll see that the city is beautiful beneath your feet too. Who would have thought a simple tile could hold so much history?”
An Opinion from an Old Tourist
When you’re walking, it’s very difficult to appreciate the things beneath your feet. Without a doubt, Barcelona is a city that will amaze and surprise you at every turn, and the Panots are no exception. You won’t just admire skyscrapers and magnificent houses—you’ll also find art on the ground. To me, this is a clear reflection of what the City of Counts is all about: incredible, surprising, and artistic at every moment.
Where to see the most beautiful Panots?
Here are some places where you can find well-preserved examples:
• Passeig de Gràcia
• Rambla de Catalunya
• Around Casa Amatller and Casa Batlló