Rambla de Canaletes
The highest part of the Rambla, near Plaça de Catalunya, is popularly known as the Font de Canaletes, well known by all the people of Barcelona and one of the most popular spots in the city. It comes from an old fountain that used to be in the Estudi General, the predecessor of the current University. It was a fountain where some small channels poured water into a sort of trough. After the walls were destroyed, a more modern fountain was installed and its water became famous because it came from the Montcada mine. There is a legend that says that whoever drinks water from this fountain will always return to Barcelona.
The current fountain is located on the right as you go down the Rambla, just before reaching Tallers Street. In the middle of the promenade, level with the fountain, Barça fans and supporters gather, forming some of the liveliest football discussions you will find.
At the corner of the Rambla and Tallers Street, there is a small, old establishment, the first in Barcelona to offer mixed alcoholic drinks since 1933: the Boadas Cocktail Bar, which brought from Havana the secrets of that land's typical cocktails. On the same street, you can also find, among other old establishments of various types, several famous music shops.
In this section of the Rambla, there are still chairs where you can sit and rest for a modest price. Further down, continuing along the same right side, you'll come across Bonsuccés Street, which leads to the Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA), the Barcelona Contemporary Culture Center, and the headquarters of the Municipal District of Ciutat Vella. On the other side of the Rambla, Santa Anna Street will take you to Avinguda del Portal de l'Àngel, an important commercial thoroughfare that has now been turned into a pedestrian area. If you continue down this avenue, you'll reach Barcelona Cathedral.
Let's return to the Rambla: we are now at the beginning of the rambla dels Estudis; here you'll find the Poliorama Theatre, where since 1985 actor and director Josep Maria Flotats worked, who, with his constant effort and, together with other actors, directors, and cultural personalities, promoted Catalan theatre and made the project of the Teatre Nacional de Catalunya a reality. Almost opposite the Poliorama Theatre you will find Canuda Street, which leads to the Ateneu Barcelonès, one of the city's cultural institutions, based since 1907 in the palace of the Duke of Sabassona (1796). We return to the Rambla and start walking down the part known as the rambla dels Estudis.
