Hercules in Barcelona.

Our mythical founder has appeared in various artistic manifestations of the city since time immemorial.
Of the representations of Hercules that are in the city it is possible to emphasize the following:

The first one is, since 1928, at the crossroads of Corsega with the Paseo de San Juan. This source is one of the oldest monuments in the city and has its origin in the construction, by Captain General Agustí de Lancaster, in the late 18th century, of a garden located between the military citadel and the wall, called of the esplanade, and that was ornamented with trees and springs. Shortly after the inauguration of the esplanade, just in the 19th century, the arrival in our city of King Carlos II supposes the introduction of novelties in this space. The monumental fountain of Hercules was handled by Salvador Gurri, who works with Josep Moret, and is dedicated to the monarch. Next to the garden, years later the first garden of the city, the one of the General, and everything disappears with the demolition of the military citadel. This source will be puzzled, transferred, first to the disappeared Palace of Fine Arts and, later, at the time of the International Exhibition, where we now find it.

The second one is in the middle of the Rambla. It is a discreet but elegant water source, the second one that is installed next to one of the doors of the old wall. It is located under an arch, on a corner of the Boqueria plain. The fountain, of three springs, was inaugurated in 1830, and presents a shield of the city crowned with an elm and embellished with the symbols of our hero: the clove or garrot and the skin of the lion. It is the oldest water source in the city.

A third Hercules is located in the center of the city, in Plaça Catalunya. When this Barcelona space adorned with sculptures, there was the idea that they made reference to Catalonia, whether it be to historical, geographical or symbolic aspects. At the time of realization not all of them followed this criterion since the chosen sculptors took advantage of works already had finished previously to the order. In this program, Hercules was one of the statues that followed the original idea. The bronze figure was made by Valencian Vicenç Navarro. He appears almost naked, standing up and grasping with both hands a great rock, showing that between the virtues of the hero stands out the force.

Later on, I will publish the legend of how the city of Barcelona was founded by Hercules.