Plaça de Sant Felip Neri is a significant and somber landmark located in the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona. This small square, situated in the district of Ciutat Vella, showcases various architectural styles, including Renaissance and Baroque buildings. It derives its name from the Church of Saint Philip Neri, which stands prominently in the square.
To the right of the church, you will find the School of Saint Felip Neri, utilizing the square as a playground for its students. On the left side of the church, there is a house used by the Oratory of Saint Philip Neri.
In the center of the square lies a notable octagonal fountain, symbolizing the essence of life. The square was once home to the Palace of Neri, constructed in 1752. In an attempt to preserve the gothic style of the square, Renaissance buildings from other parts of the city were carefully relocated here during the mid-20th century. Additionally, the hotel Neri was constructed with gothic stone to maintain the square's unique character.
Tragically, Plaça de Sant Felip Neri holds a painful history dating back to the Spanish Civil War. In the midst of the conflict, on January 30th, 1938, Franco's forces besieged Barcelona, and one of their bombs struck the church. The devastating explosion resulted in the loss of 30 lives, predominantly children from the School of Sant Philip Neri and orphaned refugee children from Madrid. As the community rallied to rescue survivors, a second bomb tragically fell on the square, claiming the lives of 12 more individuals, bringing the total death toll to 42. The church's walls still bear the scars of these bombings, serving as a chilling reminder of the past.
It is worth mentioning that during the Francoist regime, authorities spread a false myth suggesting that the pockmarks on the church's stone facade were the result of an anarchist execution targeting church priests. This fabrication aimed to conceal evidence of the bombings that took place in 1938.
Although the Museu del Calçat, a museum dedicated to footwear, closed its doors in 2015, the building remains unused. However, the tragic history and architectural significance of Plaça de Sant Felip Neri continue to attract visitors who seek to understand Barcelona's past.
For those using public transportation, the closest metro stations are Jaume I (L4) and Liceu (L3). Additionally, several bus lines, including 45, 59, 91, 120, V13, V15, V17, and the Barcelona tourist bus, provide convenient access to the square. It is also in close proximity to the Barcelona Cathedral, located at the end of Carrer de Montjuïc del Bisbe.
