El Cap de Barcelona, Barcelona

Name: El Cap de Barcelona
Address: Pg. Colom, Barcelona, Spain

#65 among attractions in Barcelona

Monuments and statues, Sculpture

Gallery (13)

Map

Gallery

Photo details 1. Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Ralf Roletschek / URL • 2. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Enfo / URL • 3. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net). / URL • 4. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0 / Спасимир / URL • 5. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Galtzerdiak / URL • 6. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Chabe01 / URL • 7. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 es / Enfo / URL

Facts and practical information

El Cap de Barcelona: A Pop Art Icon in the Heart of the City

El Cap de Barcelona is a striking sculpture that adds a splash of color and whimsy to the cityscape of Barcelona, Spain. Created by the American pop artist Roy Lichtenstein, this remarkable piece stands as a testament to the city's dedication to public art and its embrace of contemporary creativity.

Located near the waterfront at the end of La Rambla, close to the neighborhood of Barceloneta, El Cap de Barcelona, also known as "The Head," was commissioned for the 1992 Summer Olympics as part of the city's urban renewal projects. This large-scale sculpture is hard to miss, with its bold lines, bright colors, and distinctive Lichtenstein style that echoes the artist's famous comic strip-inspired works.

Standing at approximately 15 meters tall, the sculpture is fashioned from concrete and ceramic, with a playful design that features a woman's face with cascading hair. The use of primary colors and black outlines is characteristic of Lichtenstein's work and makes the sculpture a vibrant focal point against the Mediterranean backdrop.

El Cap de Barcelona is not only a nod to the pop art movement but also incorporates elements of Barcelona's artistic heritage, particularly the influence of Antoni Gaudí. The use of mosaics in the sculpture pays homage to the Catalan modernist style, blending the old with the new in a harmonious fashion.

Visitors to Barcelona often stop by this iconic landmark to snap a photo and admire its unique artistry. It's easily accessible and provides a great starting point for exploring the nearby beaches or the historic Gothic Quarter.

Local name: Barcelona's Head Coordinates: 41°22'51"N, 2°10'57"E

Address

Pg. ColomCiutat Vella (El Barri Gòtic)Barcelona Spain

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Day trips

El Cap de Barcelona – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Picasso Museum, Aquarium Barcelona, Santa Maria del Mar, Museum of the History of Catalonia.

~1560 ftN
Museum, Art museum
Picasso Museum, Barcelona
8 min walk • Nestled in the heart of Barcelona's El Born district, the Picasso Museum is a tribute to one of the most influential artists of the 20th century, Pablo Picasso. This museum is a must-see destination for art lovers and history enthusiasts visiting the city.
~1580 ftS
Themed tanks with varied marine habitats
Aquarium Barcelona, Barcelona
8 min walk • Aquarium Barcelona, located in the bustling city of Barcelona, Spain, is an enchanting underwater paradise that captivates visitors with its diverse array of marine life. As a marine zoo, it serves as a window into the aquatic world, offering a unique and educational...
~1060 ftN
Elegant 14th-century church with 3 naves
Santa Maria del Mar, Barcelona
6 min walk • Santa Maria del Mar is an exquisite example of Catalan Gothic architecture nestled in the heart of Barcelona's Ribera district. Built between 1329 and 1383, the church stands as a testament to the city's maritime past and the wealth of its merchant class during the...
~960 ftE
Museum, Specialty museum, Children's museum
Museum of the History of Catalonia, Barcelona
5 min walk • Nestled in the heart of Barcelona's bustling port area, the Museum of the History of Catalonia (Museu d'Història de Catalunya) stands as a beacon of cultural and historical enrichment. This museum, established with the aim of preserving and showcasing the history of...
~1710 ftNW
Museum, History museum, Archaeological museum
Museum of the History of Barcelona, Barcelona
9 min walk • Nestled in the heart of Barcelona's Gothic Quarter, the Museum of the History of Barcelona (MUHBA) offers a unique journey through the city's rich past. This cultural institution is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the historical heritage of Barcelona, from its...
~1630 ftNW
Square lined with prominent landmarks
Plaça Sant Jaume, Barcelona
8 min walk • Nestled in the heart of Barcelona's Gothic Quarter, Plaça Sant Jaume is a historic square that serves as a central hub for both political and social gatherings. This open space is framed by two of the city's most significant buildings: the City Hall of Barcelona...
~1770 ftNW
Monuments and statues
Topos V, Barcelona
9 min walk • Topos V, or simply Topos, is a sculpture by the Basque artist Eduardo Chillida, standing at Plaça del Rei in the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona.
~1700 ftNW
Remains of 4 Roman temple columns
Temple d'August, Barcelona
9 min walk • The Temple of Augustus in Barcelona was a Roman temple built during the Imperial period in the colony of Barcino. The temple was the central building on Tàber Hill, currently in Carrer del Paradís number 10, in the city's so-called Gothic Quarter. The dedication to Augustus is traditional, but unproven.
~1060 ftN
Historical place, Memorial
Fossar de les Moreres, Barcelona
6 min walk • The Fossar de les Moreres is a memorial square in Barcelona, adjacent to the basilica of Santa Maria del Mar. The plaza was built over a cemetery where defenders of the city were buried following the Siege of Barcelona at the end of the War of the Spanish Succession in 1714.
~1590 ftN
Museum, Specialty museum, Shopping
Museu Tèxtil i d'Indumentària, Barcelona
8 min walk • The Museu Tèxtil i d'Indumentària, in English Textile and Clothing Museum, is a museum opened on 1982 and located in the Palau Reial de Pedralbes in Barcelona. The museum possesses countless objects and pieces of major artistic and historical value that make up their collections of garments, fabrics and jewellery.
~640 ftW
Museum, Specialty museum, History museum
Hemp Museum Gallery, Barcelona
4 min walk • The Hash Marihuana & Hemp Museum is a museum located in Barcelona, Spain and dedicated to the culture of cannabis. The museum opened on May 9, 2012.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which popular attractions are close to El Cap de Barcelona?

Nearby attractions include Llotja Palace, Barcelona (3 min walk), Hemp Museum Gallery, Barcelona (4 min walk), Basilica of Our Lady of Mercy, Barcelona (5 min walk), Museum of the History of Catalonia, Barcelona (5 min walk).

How to get to El Cap de Barcelona by public transport?

The nearest stations to El Cap de Barcelona:

Bus

Pas Sota Muralla - Via Laietana • Lines: V17 (1 min walk)
Pg Colom - Via Laietana • Lines: 120, 59, D20, H14, N0, N0 tornada, N6, V13 (2 min walk)

Metro

Barceloneta • Lines: L4 (5 min walk)
Jaume I • Lines: L4 (8 min walk)

Train

Barcelona - Estació de França (8 min walk)
Paral·lel (20 min walk)

Ferry

Puerto de Barcelona (14 min walk)
Barcelona (26 min walk)

Tram

Ciutadella/Vila Olímpica • Lines: T4 (18 min walk)
Wellington • Lines: T4 (19 min walk)