Plaça Espanyola

Plaça Espanyola is a small but distinctive square in the La Torrassa neighborhood of l'Hospitalet de Llobregat, right on the edge of Barcelona. It rarely makes the standard tourist itineraries, but it rewards anyone curious about the everyday life and early-20th-century architecture of the neighborhoods just outside the Catalan capital.

Where exactly is the square located?

Plaça Espanyola is trapezoid-shaped, framed by three streets: Carrer del Progrés, Carrer dels Desemparats and Carrer de Montseny. It sits at the heart of La Torrassa, a district that grew from farmland into a dense working-class neighborhood in the early 1900s. Today the square works as a landmark between the Collblanc and La Torrassa neighborhoods of l'Hospitalet.

What can visitors actually see there?

The centerpiece is a fountain dating from 1905. Local property owners paid for its construction and then donated it to the municipality so residents of the newly built neighborhood would have access to running water. The fountain has an octagonal granite base, a brick central body, and a crown combining granite with glazed ceramic in red and blue, topped by a conical cornice — a detail that still stands out today.

The second focal point is the Church of Mare de Déu dels Desemparats, standing on one side of the square. Together with the fountain, the church gives the plaza its identity and effectively makes it the main square of the whole Torrassa neighborhood.

Walking around the perimeter, you'll also spot preserved Art Déco apartment buildings and Casa Baiges, designed by architect R. Puig i Gairalt in a distinctly rationalist style that sets it apart from the surrounding blocks.

How did this square come to exist?

The story goes back to 1902, when the urban development plan by Climent Mas and brothers Manuel and Pere Romaní was approved. Facing growing housing demand and pressure from landowners eager to develop their plots, l'Hospitalet's authorities agreed to turn farmland into what is now the Torrassa neighborhood. The plan already reserved space for this square, and its importance grew further once the church was built at one of its edges.

Why does it matter to local residents?

Plaça Espanyola has long served as a reference point for the social and cultural life of the Collblanc and La Torrassa neighborhoods. Locals gather here for festivals, markets and everyday walks, which gives the square a significance that goes beyond its architecture alone.

When is the best time to visit?

As an open urban space, the square has no set opening hours and can be visited any time of day. Early afternoon gives the best light for photographing the fountain and the surrounding facades, while evenings bring the square to life as residents pass through on their way home or gather near the church.

Frequently asked questions

Is Plaça Espanyola the same as Plaça d'Espanya in Barcelona? No. These are two entirely different places — Plaça d'Espanya is a major transport hub and square in Barcelona, while Plaça Espanyola is a local neighborhood square in La Torrassa, l'Hospitalet de Llobregat.

What is the main feature of the square? The 1905 fountain and the adjoining Church of Mare de Déu dels Desemparats.

Is the square protected as heritage? Yes, it is listed in the Inventory of Architectural Heritage of Catalonia.

How do you get to Plaça Espanyola? The square is located in the La Torrassa neighborhood, well connected to central Barcelona via the metro lines serving l'Hospitalet de Llobregat and local city buses.