An ode to Catalan literature

The Jardinets contain three works of art dedicated to a Catalan literary figure. L’Empordà. Nova oda a Barcelona (The Empordian. New Ode to Barcelona) is a 19th-century sculpture by Ernest Maragall dedicated to his father, Joan Maragall, and is a classical-style representation of two women. La Lectura. A Pompeu Fabra (The Reading. To Pompeu Fabra) is a marble plaque with a female figure in relief, sculpted by Josep Clarà in 1948. Finally, Solc. A Salvador Espriu. (Furrow. To Salvador Espriu) was created by Frederic Amat in 2014 to mark the centenary of Espriu’s birth. It is a box inserted in the ground in the same shape as the monument to Francesc Pi i Margall situated just opposite it.

A green spot on the tarmac

The Jardinets de Gràcia are a pleasant green bubble in a very crowded area with lots of traffic. Taking a stroll there under the shade of its plane trees and sitting peacefully next to the fountain is a rare treat.