Arc de Triomf

This article is about the arch in Barcelona. For other uses, seeArch of Triumph (disambiguation).

TheArc de Triomf(Catalan pronunciation:[ˈaɾkdətɾiˈomf]) is amemorial archinBarcelona,Catalonia,Spain. It was built by architectJosep Vilaseca i Casanovasas the main access gate for the1888 Barcelona World Fair.The arch crosses over the wide central promenade of thePasseig de Lluís Companys,leading to theCiutadella Parkthat now occupies the site of the world fair. It is located at the northern end of the promenade, facing thePasseig de Sant Joan.

Arc de Triomf
General information
Type	Memorial arch
Architectural style	Neo-Mudéjar
Location	Passeig de Lluís Companys,Barcelona,Spain
Inaugurated	20 May 1888
Height	29.8 metres (98 ft)
Dimensions
Other dimensions	Wide: 27.7 metres (91 ft) Deep: 12.4 metres (41 ft)
Technical details
Material	Brickwork
Design and construction
Architect(s)	Josep Vilaseca
Other information
Public transit access	Arc de Triomf Arc de Triomf

Design

The arch is built in reddish brickwork in theNeo-Mudéjarstyle. The frontfriezecontains the stone sculptureBarcelona rep les nacions(Catalanfor "Barcelona welcomes the nations" ) byJosep Reynés.The opposite frieze contains a stone carving entitledRecompensa( "Recompense" ), a work fromJosep Llimona's earliest period, representing the granting of awards to the participants in the World Exposition. The friezes along the sides of the arch include allegories of agriculture, industry and trade by Antoni Vilanova and of sciences and arts by Torquat Tassó. The two pillars of the arch featurebatscarved in stone, which were the emblem ofKing Jaume I,who ruled over a period of prosperity in Barcelona. The voussoirs of the arch are made of stone sculpted like a large laurel wreath that supports thecoats of armsof theforty-nine provincesthat formed the Kingdom of Spain in 1888. The keystone of both arches presents thecoat of arms of the city of Barcelona,above the rest of the shields and in larger dimensions.

• 
  Barcelona welcomes the nations,Josep Reynés.
• 
  Recompense,Josep Llimona.
• 
  Apotheosis of agriculture, industry and trade.Antoni Vilanova.
• 
  Apotheosis of sciences and arts.Torquat Tassó.

Other triumphal arches

Similar structures can be found in many other cities, most notably including theArc de TriompheinParis,theWellington ArchinLondon,theSoldiers' and Sailors' ArchinNew York City,and theArcul de TriumfinBucharest,plusmany from the Roman era.This arch, however, is a non-military arch. It does not romanticize war, not intended to celebrate Spain's military victories, but rather was built as the gateway to the 1888 World Fair and was thus intended to welcome people.

External links

• The Arc de TriomfonGoogle Maps