Plaça de la Pau

Plaça de la Pau is one of the distinctive squares of Amposta, a Catalan town on the Ebro River in the Montsià region. It is not a grand historic landmark, but it is worth a stop on a walk through town — a place where public-space design meets the local farming tradition of the Ebro Delta.

How do you get to Plaça de la Pau?

The square sits close to the Ebro River, right where Avinguda de Sant Jaume begins — one of Amposta's main routes toward the town centre. Several streets meet here: Sant Joan, Corsini, Jaume I, Carles I, Larraix and Europa, which makes Plaça de la Pau a natural crossing point for pedestrians moving between the riverside area and the central districts. Amposta is well connected by road to the rest of the Terres de l'Ebre region, and the square itself is within easy walking distance of the town's main sights, so the simplest way to reach it is on foot or by bike along the riverside promenades.

What will you see there?

The centrepiece of the square is a raised, irregular and elongated surface — a small mound rising about half a metre above street level, covered in grass, trees and shrubs. This green feature gives the square the feel of a compact urban garden, a shaded spot to sit away from traffic.

At the widest end of this raised area stands a circular fountain, enclosed by a low metal railing. In the middle of the fountain, on a rectangular pedestal about a metre high, is a statue of a woman harvesting rice — the "Arrossera de l'Ebre", or rice harvester of the Ebro. She is shown bent forward, almost kneeling on one leg, in the posture typical of the manual rice harvest once carried out on the surrounding fields. The monument is a tribute to the traditional rice farming that has shaped the region's economy and culture for decades.

It is worth knowing that the ground the square now occupies was once rice paddy land. Close to the river stood the first lock of the old navigation canal linking Amposta to Sant Carles de la Ràpita, connected directly to the Ebro. That combined history of farming and river navigation explains why the harvester statue stands precisely here rather than elsewhere in town.

When is the best time to visit?

Amposta and the wider Ebro Delta are best explored in spring and autumn, when temperatures are gentler than in high summer and the surrounding rice fields look their most striking — green in spring, golden just before the autumn harvest. The square itself, as an open green space in the middle of town, works as a short stop at any time of year, especially combined with a walk along the Ebro or a visit to the nearby Delta natural park.

Amposta also serves as a base for visitors exploring the Ebro Delta, one of Catalonia's most important wetland areas, known for birdwatching and for local cuisine built around rice and seafood. A short stop at Plaça de la Pau fits well into a broader plan to explore the Terres de l'Ebre region.

Frequently asked questions

What does the statue in the square depict? The statue is the "Arrossera de l'Ebre" — a woman harvesting rice, shown bent over at work in the field. It is a tribute to the rice-growing tradition of the Ebro Delta.

Is there more to see besides the monument? Yes — the centre of the square is a raised green area with grass and trees, plus a circular fountain where the statue stands. It is a small, intimate space for a short rest.

Why was the harvester monument placed exactly here? The square's land was once rice paddy, and nearby stood the first lock of the old navigation canal to Sant Carles de la Ràpita. The location directly reflects the area's farming and river-navigation history.

How long does it take to see the square? It is a small urban square, so 10–15 minutes is enough to see it and take photos — best combined with a longer walk through Amposta's riverside area.