Václav Havel's place

Václav Havel's Place in Barcelona is a small but meaningful memorial tucked inside Parc de la Ciutadella, one of the city's most beloved green spaces. Standing near the Catalan Parliament building, it's easy to walk past without noticing — yet the living tree at its centre is exactly what makes it worth a second look.

What is this memorial?

It's one installation in the international "Havel's Place" project, created to honour Václav Havel — the last president of Czechoslovakia and the first president of the Czech Republic, as well as a celebrated playwright and dissident. The project was launched by Petr Gandalovič, the Czech ambassador to the United States, together with architect and designer Bořek Šípek. Their goal was to build a network of similar installations in cities around the world, offering spaces that invite conversation and genuine dialogue — the same values Havel championed throughout his life.

What does the installation look like?

The design is deliberately simple: a round table and two garden chairs arranged around a tree that typically grows straight through the middle of the tabletop, forming a natural canopy over the seating area. A metal plaque runs along the rim of the table, engraved with one of Havel's best-known lines — "truth and love must prevail over lies and hatred" — a phrase that captures his lifelong stance against authoritarianism.

When was the Barcelona site unveiled?

The Barcelona installation was dedicated on 15 February 2014. The ceremony was attended by Xavier Trias, then mayor of Barcelona, and Karel Schwarzenberg, the Czech politician and former foreign minister who had close ties to Havel dating back to the years of democratic opposition. Its location beside Parc de la Ciutadella, right next to the seat of the Catalan Parliament, is a deliberate choice — pairing the memorial's themes of freedom and dialogue with a working seat of democratic government.

Why is it worth a stop?

Most visitors come to Parc de la Ciutadella for the Cascada fountain, the boating lake, or the nearby zoo, but Havel's Place makes for a quiet, thoughtful detour along the way. It's a good spot to sit for a minute, read the inscription, and reflect on Central European history before 1989 — while noticing an unexpected link between Barcelona and Havel's native Prague.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Havel's Place in Barcelona? Inside Parc de la Ciutadella, close to the Catalan Parliament building, in a central area of the park that's easy to reach on foot from the main pathways.

Who designed the installation? The design came from architect Bořek Šípek, with the overall project initiated by ambassador Petr Gandalovič; Barcelona is one of several cities worldwide with a version of the installation.

What does the tree growing through the table represent? It symbolises nature's permanence alongside human creation — the living tree changes and grows through the table's centre, in contrast to the static metal plaque and chairs.

Is there an entrance fee? No — Parc de la Ciutadella is a free, public city park, and Havel's Place can be visited at no cost during the park's opening hours.