Miro’s Mosaic and the Umbrella House

Even if you don’t visit the Miro Museum, don’t worry, Miro will find you! The famous Spanish painter’s huge mosaic is right under your feet. In 1976, Miro wanted to create art on the ground of La Rambla, so that passers-by would walk over it, even if it meant the artwork would get damaged. He chose primary colours, reflecting his intuitive visual language and his beloved childhood. This mosaic is located at a symbolic spot, said by some to have given the Boqueria district its name. Many believe the name comes from the butchers who worked here in the 13th century, but there’s also a different theory related to King Berenguer IV. Returning victorious from Almeria, he brought back a pair of grand gates as trophies to replace the Church of Saint Eulalia’s entrance. It’s said that the locals were left speechless by their beauty. Speechless, or mouth open, translates to “Boca abierta” in Spanish – quite similar to “Boqueria”. Now, look up and across the street. You’ll see a striking building with Japanese-style decor, covered in sculpted umbrellas and a large wrought-iron dragon on its façade. This is the “Casa Bruno Cuadros”, named after its owner in the 19th century, but nicknamed the “House of Umbrellas”. In 1854, Bruno rented the ground floor to open a small shop selling hats and parasols. The shop became very popular, and he eventually bought the entire building. In 1888, the World’s Fair came to Barcelona. This huge event saw wealthy tourists visiting from all around the world. Bruno saw a golden opportunity, so he hired the modernist architect Josep Vilaseca and commissioned a full renovation of his building. He wanted to blend Egyptian and Japanese art styles which were extremely popular among the intellectual elite at the time. Bruno went so far as importing items from these countries to sell in his shop. Take a moment to admire the beautiful Japanese illustrations and ornate sculptures on the façade, which was restored in the 1980s. It’s now home to a bank branch and sadly, you cannot go inside.