The newly colourised 1888 photograph of Plaça de Catalunya offers a remarkable glimpse into Barcelona’s historical landscape during the Universal Exposition. This stunning visual transformation reveals the square’s appearance before its 1927 urbanisation, featuring the circular Panorama Waterloo building that hosted Charles Verlat’s 1,800-square-metre painting. Furthermore, the image captures the Círculo Ecuestre Barcelonés in the foreground while La Pajarera and Passeig de Gràcia appear in the distance. Consequently, this colour restoration provides unprecedented insight into Barcelona’s architectural heritage.
Meanwhile, the original black-and-white photograph was captured by Frederic Ballell, a Puerto Rico-born photographer who arrived in Barcelona aged 16. Moreover, Ballell became renowned for his work in publications like Il·lustració Catalana and his iconic Rambla portraits between 1907-1908. Therefore, his documentation of daily life along Barcelona’s most famous boulevard established his reputation for capturing authentic urban scenes.
The colourisation project was undertaken by Catalunya Colour, a social media account specialising in adding colour to historical Catalan photographs. Additionally, their meticulous work reveals the probable original colours of buildings and structures that have since disappeared from Barcelona’s cityscape. However, this isn’t their first venture into historical restoration – they’ve previously colourised numerous images from across Catalonia.
Un firaire fent ballar un ós amb un pandero al carrer Major de Berga el 1930.
📸Lluís Ribera pic.twitter.com/uPTPPoXu0F— Catalunya Color (@CatalunyaColor) October 8, 2025
Beyond this Plaça de Catalunya image, Ballell also documented significant events in Barcelona’s history, including the devastating 1911 Candelera storm. Moreover, this meteorological disaster claimed 35 fishermen’s lives in Barceloneta alone, with official records indicating approximately 140 casualties along the city’s coastline. Therefore, his photographic legacy extends beyond architectural documentation to include crucial historical events.
The Barcelona City Archives contain numerous historical photographs that continue to reveal new aspects of the city’s development. Similarly, our coverage of Barcelona’s architectural preservation efforts explores how modern technology helps maintain the city’s heritage. Consequently, these colourised images provide valuable context for understanding urban transformation.
In conclusion, this colourised 1888 photograph significantly enhances our understanding of Plaça de Catalunya’s historical appearance before its major transformation. The visual evidence underscores how Barcelona’s urban landscape has evolved while preserving elements of its distinctive character. Ultimately, such historical restorations continue to illuminate the city’s rich architectural journey through time.
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