Las Ramblas in Barcelona is one of the most iconic and busy promenades in the world. Every day, thousands of people walk, chat, laugh… and, without knowing it, step on a work of art.
A piece created by one of the greatest geniuses in history: Joan Miró.

Have you noticed the large circular mosaic embedded in the ground?
Today we tell you the secret history of that mosaic, its meaning and why it represents much more than simple urban decoration.

What is Miró’s Mosaic on Las Ramblas?

It is an untitled work, created by Joan Miró in 1976.
It is a large circular mosaic of vivid colors (red, blue, yellow, black and white) embedded directly into the pavement of Las Ramblas, near the Liceu.

Many tourists step on it without paying attention. But for those who know how to look, it is a symbolic door to Miró’s universe… and to the soul of Barcelona.

Why Did Miró Create This Mosaic?

The Barcelona City Council commissioned Joan Miró to create a work to symbolically welcome all visitors arriving in the city.

In the 1970s, Barcelona was beginning to open up to the world again after decades of dictatorship, and Miró—deeply connected to his hometown—enthusiastically accepted the commission.

His idea:
To create a mosaic that symbolized the free, welcoming, and creative spirit of Barcelona, right in the heart of its most popular promenade.

The “Secret” of the Mosaic: A Cosmic Welcome

The mosaic was not designed just as a decoration: it is a message.

Joan Miró, fascinated by the cosmos, wanted the mosaic to represent a point of connection between heaven and earth, between the traveler and the city.

The circle symbolizes the universe.
The primary colors represent the basic elements of life and art.
The location on the ground invites anyone to “cross it” and be part of the message, without distinction of class or barriers.

It is democratic art: everyone steps on it, everyone feels it, even if not everyone knows it’s there.

Where Exactly Is the Mosaic?

The mosaic is on Las Ramblas, at the level of the Gran Teatre del Liceu, very close to the Liceu metro station (L3).

📍 Precise location: La Rambla, in front of number 80-90 approximately.

Tip:
👉 When you walk there, don’t just pass by: stop, observe it, let yourself be enveloped by its colors… and feel Miró’s welcome.

A Mosaic That Has Survived Everything

Miró’s mosaic has witnessed Barcelona’s recent history:

In 2017, the terrorist attack on Las Ramblas had its final point very close to this mosaic.
Since then, it has also become a place of memory and tribute.
Despite the passage of millions of people, it remains in surprisingly good condition, thanks to periodic restorations.

Miró’s art, like the spirit of the city, is resilient and eternal.

Who Was Joan Miró?

A brief reminder:

Joan Miró (1893–1983) was a Barcelona-born painter, sculptor, and ceramicist, considered one of the greatest exponents of surrealism.
His work is full of simple forms, vivid colors, and universal symbols.
For Miró, art should be liberating and accessible to everyone.

In his artistic testament, he made it clear that he wanted Barcelona to be a city open to art and imagination. The mosaic on Las Ramblas is one of his most visible gifts.

Did You Know…?

There is another work by Miró at Barcelona airport: a huge colorful mural welcomes travelers in the old terminal.
The Fundació Joan Miró, in Montjuïc, houses one of the most complete collections of the artist.
Miró dreamed of filling the streets of Barcelona with public art that was not in museums, but in people’s daily lives.

Miró’s Mosaic: A Jewel Beneath Our Feet

The next time you stroll along Las Ramblas, remember that beneath your steps beats the artistic heart of Barcelona.
A circle of colors invites you to be part of something bigger: a meeting between earth, sky… and limitless imagination.

Joan Miró, with his unmistakable style, continues to welcome us to a city that never stops dreaming.