Mural del Beso Barcelona: The story behind the “kissing wall”

If you have visited Barcelona, then maybe you have already noticed Mural del Beso at Plaça d Isidre Nonell ? Often called the “Kiss Wall Barcelona” is a mosaic that is made of many small polaroids. The famous “de street art” in Barcelona was a project made in 2014. It aim is to represent love in every form.

What does “El mural del beso” represent?

The wall of Kiss Mural in Barcelona was made by photographer fotógrafo Joan Fontcuberta and ceramist Antoni Cumella. The wall has many names, in Spanish it is called “Ruido de un Beso”. But, for example in Catalan it is called “El Peto” or “El món neix en cada besada”.

This wall is the most visited in Barcelona. Although, it may be a little bit hard to find it, it is very frequently visited by romantic tourists. They seek to have their photo next to the kiss.

The initiative started with the photographer Joan Fontcuberta and El Periódico de Catalunya. The idea was to create a mural composed of photographs sent by readers of the magazine, under the premise «living free”.

Moreover, this work consists of 4,000 ceramic tiles that together form two lips on the point of kissing. If you approach you will notice that the subjects of these tiles are photographs of ordinary people. It is also considered as one of the most modern artworks or as locals say “arte urbano”.

Also, another idea behind it, is that world begins with every kiss and echo lasts a great deal longer. Locals are also using many phrases to describe it. For example, they are saying that “eco es más duradero” or “beso no es tan ensordecedor”. You may also hear phrases like “nace en cada beso”, “mundo nace” or “conmemoración del tricentenario”.

What do we find next to the mural?

Specifically, this project was meant to be a temporary display, the Barcelona City Council decided to leave it permanently. The mural was introduced on July 3, 2014 by the mayor of Barcelona, Xavier Trias.

Next to the mosaic you can see a plaque with the following inscription:

“This photomosaic has been made with the contribution of thousands of citizens who have captured their «moments of freedom». The project is part of the celebration of the Tercentenary of the events of 1714 in Barcelona. The noise of a kiss is not as deafening as a cannon, but its echo is more durable.”

As a curiosity, the work is made to withstand the inclement weather and graffiti artists. They unfortunately have loaded several works in recent times in various neighbourhoods of Barcelona.

How to get to the “mural of beso”?

The famous kiss is located in Barrio Gótico de Barcelona. You can find it at Plaza Isidre Nonell in front of Barcelona’s Cathedral.

Although it is located in a very tourist area, the cathedral takes all eyes and often goes unnoticed.

To get here, you must make the same journey in the direction of the Cathedral. Once you are there, take Carrer dels Capellans street, which leads to Isidre Nonell square where the large mural is located.

Furthermore, this wall is currently considered as one of the most “IG friendly” places in Barcelona. In fact, it is impossible to visit this masterpiece and not to meet tourists who are taking pictures.

If it is your first time in sunny Barcelona, then we definitely recommend you to visit it! Also, if you want to see other places that have a great history, then do not miss our walking tour.