Ronda de San Antoni may not be high on many people’s places to visit, but here at Four Blocks from….we love life’s vignettes.
Look up.
Ronda de San Antoni is one of Barcelona’s important arteries; it runs north to south for 700m, starting at the busy Plaça de la Universitat. The Ronda becomes pedestrianised about halfway along, a stretch of concrete that temporarily housed Mercado San Antoni in tents during the original market building’s refurbishment.
The space left behind is now a thoroughly pleasant place to stroll, with hopscotch and play areas for kids, jumpers for goalposts football pitches and the chance for residents to…
Look up.
Like much of ‘new’ Barcelona, construction started in the 1880s albeit most buildings here are from the 1920s and 1930s. Barcelona’s tight streets don’t always allow for its building fronts to be properly seen. With the temporary market gone, the Ronda opened up.
What piqued my attention immediately were what are now probably vintage shop signs.
Look up! Here are some of my favourites from the Ronda – there are many more in the barrio – and here they are in north to south spotting order.
Vintage shop signs
La Torre: It was being painted the day I walked by. Has some original signing of almost 100 years of age. ‘Timeless’ underwear, too.
Cafes Caracas: Two fonts, two colours. Cafes is clear – Caracas is a wonderfully illegible squiggle a doctor would be proud of.
Forn Mistral: I love the bulbous curves and the matchsticks lines, reflected in the canopy, too. Best ensaïmadas (sweet pastries) in Barcelona – just look at them!
Hostal Delfos: Hidden away and easy to miss, this sign is classically drab. Reviews suggest the rooms, shared toilets and hygiene standards can all be inferred from this yellowed wonder sign.
Autoescola 2000: If you can’t be bothered to make an effort, show that you can’t.
Sports Remmells: These were put up in 1969 and age better than fine wine. Half a century selling sports and outdoor kit, easy to see how they pull them in.
Sir: My personal favourite. No need for words.
Luxpiel: The L, X and E are works of font mastery, and that yellow…I would go every week, if it were a nightclub.
Els Tres Tombs: This sign needs the building behind it to frame it properly. A Barcelona classic and landmark which never seems to close. Best visited at 3am to see randoms, or 6-8am when the all-night party people’s special type of cheeriness mixes with folk on the way to work.
Seen a sign?
Barcelona is full of amazing shop signs – feel free to share your favourites.
I'm an Englishman living in San Antoni, Barcelona, living the writing dream.
I specialise in top-quality articles, blogs, websites, SEO and metadata.
In my free time, I like to play the guitar, walk in the hills, swim in the sea and travel.
View all posts by Tom Shearman
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One thought on “Vintage shop signs of Ronda de San Antoni, Barcelona”
I do look forwards to these blogs. This gentleman is clearly an asset to his adopted Barri and Barcelona in general, I think.
BRAVO, Sir! Bravo!
Keep up the good work.
Tom Shearman | Writer 
I do look forwards to these blogs. This gentleman is clearly an asset to his adopted Barri and Barcelona in general, I think.
BRAVO, Sir! Bravo!
Keep up the good work.