Barcelona recovers an underground emblem: mural at the Rotonda dels Transports in Plaça Catalunya restored

The mural known as La Rotonda dels Transports, located in the metro and FGC interchange beneath Plaça de Catalunya, has been fully restored as part of the centenary of Barcelona’s metro. The intervention was promoted by Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB) and the Servei d’Arqueologia de Barcelona, after it was found that the work was in a critical state of conservation.

Made up of six ceramic stoneware panels, the mural pays tribute to the history of means of transport through depictions of vehicles and key dates. The work, originally created in 1969 by students of Escola Massana, had already been restored in 2003, but had losses of up to 63 pieces and a high risk of further deterioration.

The restoration was carried out in three phases, involving cleaning, replacement of ceramic pieces and maintenance planning. In addition, elements of the surroundings such as the lighting, paving, stained-glass windows and the space’s emblematic central lamp have been improved.

With this work, the interchange not only recovers part of its artistic value, but also reinforces its role as a hub of Barcelona transport with a more dignified and well-maintained setting.