title: Arc de Triomf
text: The Arc de Triomf () is a memorial arch in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. It was built by architect Josep Vilaseca i Casanovas as the main access gate for the 1888 Barcelona World Fair. The arch crosses over the wide central promenade of the Passeig de Lluís Companys, leading to the Ciutadella Park that now occupies the site of the world fair. It is located at the northern end of the promenade, facing the Passeig de Sant Joan.
  
  Design
  The arch is built in reddish brickwork in the Neo-Mudéjar style. The front frieze contains the stone sculpture Barcelona rep les nacions (Catalan for "Barcelona welcomes the nations") by Josep Reynés. The opposite frieze contains a stone carving entitled Recompensa ("Recompense"), a work from Josep Llimona's earliest period, representing the granting of awards to the participants in the World Exposition. The friezes along the sides of the arch include allegories of agriculture and industry by Antoni Vilanova and of trade and art by Torquat Tassó. The two pillars of the arch feature bats carved in stone, which were the emblem of King Jaume I, who ruled over a period of prosperity in Barcelona.
  
  Other triumphal arches
  Similar structures can be found in many other cities, most notably including the  Arc de Triomphe in Paris, the Wellington Arch in London, the Soldiers' and Sailors' Arch in New York City, and the Arcul de Triumf in Bucharest, plus many from the Roman era. This arch, however, is a non-military arch. It does not romanticize war, not intended to celebrate Spain's military victories, but rather was built as the gateway to the 1888 World Fair and was thus intended to welcome people.
  
  See also
  
  Arc de Triomf metro station
  Arc de Triomf railway station
  
  References
  
  External links
   Brief description and history of Barcelona's Arc de Triomf on the official Barcelona Tourism site
  The Arc de Triomf on Google Maps
  
  Buildings and structures in Barcelona
  Terminating vistas
  Triomf
  Gates in Spain
  Neo-Mudéjar architecture in Spain
  Buildings and structures completed in 1888
  World's fair architecture in Barcelona
  1888 sculptures
  Brick sculptures
  Tourist attractions in Barcelona
  Modernisme architecture in Barcelona