Flower Stalls

Flower stalls are one of the heritage elements of La Rambla, one of the reasons that make La Rambla unique in the world.

Although there is evidence that there were flower sellers on La Rambla in the 13th century, the first established stalls date back to 1853. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, there were many more flower stalls on La Rambla, but little by little they have disappeared, leaving only the current 8.

Originally, the stalls consisted of trestles and wooden boards where they displayed the plants and flowers. Every day, the vendors set up and took down their stalls, storing all the materials in warehouses located in streets near La Rambla. However, in the 1960s, fixed stalls with the necessary services for commercial activity were established. These stalls were completely renovated in the 1990s.

Currently, there are 8 flower stalls spread along La Rambla Sant Josep, also known as "Rambla de les flors."

In October 2012, on the occasion of the Roser Festival organized by Friends of La Rambla in collaboration with the District of Ciutat Vella, students from the Massana School decorated the backs of the stalls (facing the sidewalk) with vinyl stickers featuring flowers as the main theme.

La Rambla de les flors has inspired writers and poets, here are some examples:

"Like a balance, La Rambla finds its faithfulness and balance in the flower market, where the city goes to celebrate baptisms and weddings with fresh bouquets of hope and where it goes shaking tears and ribbons on the crowns for its deceased. These joyful stalls among the citizen trees are like the gift of the "ramblista" and his amusement, and although they might appear alone at night, almost like iron catafalques, they have a noble and delicate air that seems to say to the night owl: 'Get up tomorrow to see us; we belong to the day.'"

Federico García Lorca. Speech on the occasion of the premiere of Doña Rosita La Soltera at the Principal Palace. 1935

"The Rambla de las Flores is a pure delight adorned by the four seasons of the year, one after another and as painted by botanists. For the greater enjoyment of pedestrians, this rambla offers, in addition to flowers, books. And the city that gives more and better, that warns."

Camilo José Cela. 1967

"Do you know what the Rambla de les Flors is? There are more bald people than rich, more people baffled than people with their brains supported. And too much smoke, anxiety and tilling, and a world slightly nauseated. One throws a fit, the other the monkey. Tender girls make their hearts dance there. It's the ballroom of Barcelona, and the sun comes to make it a golden carpet. The orange peel, this, doesn't deceive... Everyone is welcome to slip around it. They come from the sea and they come from the mountain, and no fee is paid to enter the dance. Sometimes, the cobla gets tangled up and the dance floor fills with screams and loud shouts. And among whistles and swords and noise, a gun goes off and someone falls. But there is an 'ai' and the flood comes back. And the dance returns, swinging up and down. And the birds return to the branches, making crystal shimmers. And the flower sellers brighten up the stalls, and dogs run away, gnawing on bones. And the girls' white teeth shine in front of the flower stands. The red stalls, and one realizes that this lush, warm, and humid red is the color that lasts longest on Barcelona's fresh lips, which never tire of laughing, day and night. It's a whole sky of blue and joy, my Rambla gives me a shiver... I dread the thought of leaving it alone one day... The Rambla and I must never part! And when I become an old prune, with all this thin, white hair, they will find me at the foot of the stall, as if I were defending my blood. And those who pass by and see me sightless, trembling, with an apple in my hand, will say: 'Look, Antònia, the flower seller, can no longer shout or walk. And poor thing, full of mischief and pain, still has enough heart, faithful to the rose stand until death comes to take her.' And if I think this way, it's unnecessary for someone to come and tempt me, nor can my heart be moved by it, no matter how much sympathy I feel, no matter how much I appreciate what has been said. And you come back with a sincere voice and the noblest of sentiments. Can't you see that I cannot be any other way, if I am truly from the Rambla de les Flors!"

Josep Maria de Sagarra. La Rambla de les Floristes (excerpt)