Triumphal arches are usually erected in honor of great victories and rulers, but in Barcelona it was created for a rather unusual occasion. This majestic adornment of the capital of Catalonia was built for the opening of the 1888 World's Fair.
The main exhibition of technological achievements was located in the beautiful Ciutadella Park, specially renovated for Expo. A 30-meter arch made of red brick, richly decorated with sculptures, became a landmark for exhibition guests arriving from all over the world. The participants of Expo-1888 ceremoniously entered the park along the wide boulevard through these grand gates.
Architect Josep Vilaseca created the design in the then-popular neo-Moorish style, which intertwined elements of Gothic, Renaissance, and Moorish motifs proper. Thanks to such eclecticism, the Triumphal Arch turned out very elegant and graceful despite its impressive size. Its beauty lies not only in its original form with semi-columns, domes, and multicolored decor, but also in its carefully crafted details. Four different sculptors worked on the compositions decorating the upper half of the arch.
On the facade, city guests are greeted by a bas-relief depicting Barcelona as a joyful lady welcoming representatives of different nations. Above the bas-relief rises the coat of arms of Spain, and beneath the sculptures are the coats of arms of all the provinces. The sculptures on the sides of the arch are dedicated to industry, trade, art, and agriculture - the foundations of World's Fairs.
