Most residents crossing the intersection of Avinguda Diagonal and Passeig de Gràcia know the area simply as the Plaza del Cinc d’Oros. This popular name, which refers to a specific playing card, became the official designation in 2017 after the city council removed the reference to King Juan Carlos I. Consequently, the square serves as a crucial connection point between the city centre and the neighbourhood of Gràcia.
The history of this space reveals a pattern of constant change. Indeed, monuments and streetlights have moved across the city as political regimes shifted. While the renowned engineer Ildefons Cerdà did not clearly define this junction in his 1859 plan for the Eixample, it has evolved into one of Barcelona’s most recognisable landmarks. Meanwhile, the iconic retailer Servei Estació Barcelona has witnessed much of this local history.
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Plaza del Cinc d’Oros History: Why is it called the Five of Coins?
The name Plaza del Cinc d’Oros translates literally to the ‘Five of Coins’ or ‘Five of Golds’. This refers to a card in the Spanish deck. This designation dates back to the square’s urbanisation in 1906. Planners designed the space with a large central circular roundabout. It was surrounded by four smaller traffic islands.
From an aerial view, this layout perfectly resembled the five of coins playing card. Although the physical layout has changed over the decades to accommodate traffic, the popular name persisted for over a century. Therefore, it finally received official recognition.
Plaza del Cinc d’Oros History: What happened to the statues?
The obelisk standing in the centre of the square is often called ‘el llapis’ (the pencil) by locals. While the stone column remains, the statues adorning it have changed repeatedly. These changes reflect the political climate. In 1936, a sculpture of a female nude holding a laurel branch was installed at the site. It represented the Republic.
Following the Civil War in 1939, Francoist authorities removed the republican figure. They replaced it with a monument by Frederic Marès. This celebrated the military victory. An inscription dedicated the city to the soldiers who had ‘liberated’ it. Democracy eventually brought another change. Consequently, the obelisk is now free of political symbolism.
The original republican statue by Josep Viladomat was not destroyed. It now stands in Nou Barris at the Plaza de la República. This was formerly known as Plaza Llucmajor.
Plaza del Cinc d’Oros History: Where are the original lampposts?
The square once featured distinctive modernist lampposts. These were designed by the municipal architect Pere Falqués. These ornate fixtures matched the architectural ambition of the nearby Passeig de Gràcia. However, they were eventually removed from the junction.
Visitors can still view these original pieces today. However, they are no longer in their initial location. The city relocated them to Avinguda Gaudí. There, they now line the pedestrian avenue. This connects the Hospital de Sant Pau with the Sagrada Família.
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