Plaça George Orwell
Plaça George Orwell
3.5
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The area
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Neighbourhood: Barrio Gòtico (Barri Gòtic)
With its iconic, old-Europe streets and alleys, this picturesque neighbourhood is the very heart of Barcelona. It blends historic artifacts from its days under Roman dominion up through the Spanish Civil War with a vibrant modern-day culture of artisan shops and authentic culinary experiences. Avid explorers will be thrilled to discover quaint terraces and plazas brought to life by the many small bars and local musicians lasting late into the night. Fashionistas will be drawn to Portal de L’Angel, which is lined with well-known brand names and smaller boutique stands.
How to get there
- Liceu • 5 min walk
- Jaume I • 5 min walk
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1,594 within 10 kms
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3.5
55 reviews
Excellent
4
Very good
16
Average
26
Poor
8
Terrible
1
macedonboy
Glasgow, UK186,264 contributions
July 2019 • Solo
The Placa George Orwell is a public square located in the Gothic quarter of Barcelona and name for the British author of 1984 and Homage to Catalonia. By the standards of the ever popular Gothic quarter, this is quite a quiet square more popular with locals and it is with tourists. Perhaps something to do with it’s seedy reputation reputation and it’s local name of "La Plaça Tripi” or the acid square. In the centre of the square is a large-scale reproduction of a surrealist work by Leandre Cristòfol, which was probably made on a “trip” as well.
There’s really nothing here for the average tourist and certainly unless they know their way around less popular tourist spots.
There’s really nothing here for the average tourist and certainly unless they know their way around less popular tourist spots.
Written 16 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark H
Toronto, Canada124 contributions
Oct 2013 • Solo
This little square (actually a triangle) is worth a look, just for this history lesson. It's not spectacular but it is rich with history. It has definitely had its ups and downs and used to be known as La Plaça Tripi...or "the acid square" because of its seedy background. I'd describe the area as being a somewhat seedy, half wonderful, mostly safe neighborhood there is a park because yes, children live here too.
Such an English name does not usually grace the squares of Spain. George Orwell is probably best known for controversial books like 1984 and Animal Farm but he also wrote Homage to Catalonia, his first-hand account of the Spanish Civil War. It was recognized to be a meaningful contribution to Barcelona and is said to be one of the most honest versions of the social and political story of the time.
Plaça George Orwell has some unusual and controversial architectural features for an ancient European square such as an unusual sculpture of Orwell erected in his honor. It is supposed to represent the gunshot that went through his throat when he lived here.
If you're tired of the bustle of la Ramba, take a two minute detour and sit in Plaça George Orwell for a few minutes and watch people for a bit. Not a bad way to spend a few minutes.
Such an English name does not usually grace the squares of Spain. George Orwell is probably best known for controversial books like 1984 and Animal Farm but he also wrote Homage to Catalonia, his first-hand account of the Spanish Civil War. It was recognized to be a meaningful contribution to Barcelona and is said to be one of the most honest versions of the social and political story of the time.
Plaça George Orwell has some unusual and controversial architectural features for an ancient European square such as an unusual sculpture of Orwell erected in his honor. It is supposed to represent the gunshot that went through his throat when he lived here.
If you're tired of the bustle of la Ramba, take a two minute detour and sit in Plaça George Orwell for a few minutes and watch people for a bit. Not a bad way to spend a few minutes.
Written 11 October 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LUCKY J
Orlando, FL692 contributions
Nov 2018 • Couples
The Placa de George Orwell is a small square located in the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona. This square is named after this famous writer because of the book he wrote titled " Homage to Catalonia" which is his first hand account of the Spanish Civil War. He came to Barcelona to cover the Spanish Civil War but was so moved by the Republican resistance he decided to volunteer to fight the Fascist government of Franco which nearly cost him his life. This square is home to a couple restaurants and bars and on Sunday they have a outdoor flea market featuring paintings and art. Jolly Chriss.
Written 19 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Seamus
27 contributions
July 2018
I'm a George Orwell fan,so on this visit to Barcelona I resolved that I would see 'Placa George Orwell'. I had been vaguely aware that Orwell spent a little time in Barcelona (or in Catalonia at least), but knew nothing of the circumstances. It wasn't far from the hotel, so I marched off to see it, assuming there would be an informative plaque, and that his homesite might be open for tours.
What a disappointment. I learned that George Orwell never lived at Placa George Orwell; in fact it's known as “Placa del Tripi” by the locals! The decision to bestow Orwell's name on this place was apparently made only in March,1996 by local government officials, possibly due to the fact that Orwell fought in the Spanish Civil War for the Republican side.
What is eerily prescient about naming the plaza after Orwell is this: In 2001, Placa George Orwell became the first public space in Barcelona to be controlled by municipal video surveillance cameras! Think about that for a moment (or read 1984 if you need a refresher).
And so, if you're a George Orwell fan, and you want to ponder his life while you're in Barcelona, I'd suggest that instead of visiting the plaza named after him, you read 'Homage to Catalonia', and take a stroll down La Rambla. Many of the places he described are still recognizable. Here are a few other references if you're interested:
[REMOVED per TripAdvisor censorship... Sorry, you'll have to research this on your own]
What a disappointment. I learned that George Orwell never lived at Placa George Orwell; in fact it's known as “Placa del Tripi” by the locals! The decision to bestow Orwell's name on this place was apparently made only in March,1996 by local government officials, possibly due to the fact that Orwell fought in the Spanish Civil War for the Republican side.
What is eerily prescient about naming the plaza after Orwell is this: In 2001, Placa George Orwell became the first public space in Barcelona to be controlled by municipal video surveillance cameras! Think about that for a moment (or read 1984 if you need a refresher).
And so, if you're a George Orwell fan, and you want to ponder his life while you're in Barcelona, I'd suggest that instead of visiting the plaza named after him, you read 'Homage to Catalonia', and take a stroll down La Rambla. Many of the places he described are still recognizable. Here are a few other references if you're interested:
[REMOVED per TripAdvisor censorship... Sorry, you'll have to research this on your own]
Written 18 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Normski49
Andalucia, Spain201 contributions
Apr 2018
I have to admit I was disappointed to finally arrive here after wandering through the beautiful old Gothic Quarter whilst looking forward to discovering this little square. To be fair, it doesn't memorialise George Orwell, as a man, or author, it is simply named after him as one of the Revolutionary Freedom Fighters of the Spanish Civil War. But if you are a fan then you will have read Homage to Catalonia, and that's where it can be exciting because with a little effort you can recognise quite a few of the locations he describes.
There is sadly a darker side to this square though, it has a reputation, outside the hours of daylight, as a place to find, and use all kinds of recreational drugs. So definitely not a place to wander round after dark with a young family. Through the day though it is just another square with yet another sculpture within the medieval quarter, so don't be afraid to visit whilst the sun is above you.
There is sadly a darker side to this square though, it has a reputation, outside the hours of daylight, as a place to find, and use all kinds of recreational drugs. So definitely not a place to wander round after dark with a young family. Through the day though it is just another square with yet another sculpture within the medieval quarter, so don't be afraid to visit whilst the sun is above you.
Written 21 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Whydoineed
24 contributions
Unless you are an old etonian, born in 1984, live on animal farm, come from wigan pier or have been down and out in paris or london, walk past this Catalonian homage to George
Written 23 May 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ashley B
London, UK5 contributions
June 2019
We wandered to this square completely by mistake; but a pleasant surprise. Turns out George Orwell owned a house here during the war and this is where he stayed. The square is surrounded by loads of boutique stores and lovely restaurants. We stopped for some tapas of course! Definitely worth a visit if you're in Barcelona. :)
Written 4 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GReyMaiden
Maidenhead, UK2,892 contributions
Mar 2019 • Couples
If you want a little peace whilst exploring the Gothic quarter this Plaça is a little sun trap. There is a little play area if you have young children. Don’t miss Conos a little takeaway serving cones with calamari, white bait and vegetables. Cheap and very tasty
Written 16 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Neil K
Liverpool, UK829,468 contributions
Sept 2018 • Friends
Plaça George Orwell is a plaza i came across as my twin brother Stephen and I were wandering around this part of town and in all honesty it's not one of the best plaza's in Barcelona, it's sort of none descript and aside from the name of the plaza there is absolutely nothing to commemorate the great man,no information not even a statue although there is a modern piece of street art here that looks kinda cool.
The architecture here is in keeping with the splendid architecture you will see all over the Gothic Quarter and there's some great cafe's and restaurants here but in truth it's not worth going out of your way to visit.
Easy to find on Paseo De Carrer Escudellers.
The architecture here is in keeping with the splendid architecture you will see all over the Gothic Quarter and there's some great cafe's and restaurants here but in truth it's not worth going out of your way to visit.
Easy to find on Paseo De Carrer Escudellers.
Written 31 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dora L
Slovenia42 contributions
Sept 2017 • Friends
I did inform myself prior to going there so I knew what to expect - not much. But surroundings is swell (Gothic quarter) and we kind of found it by mistake. However it is a must for every Orwelian or civil war enthusiast.. which I am.
Written 13 September 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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