PLAÇA DELS SEDASSOS - Art of the Streets

Hidden in plain sight, Plaça dels Sedassos exhibits a truly eye-catching mural located in Tarragona, Catalonia. There, you will find a street behind Plaça de la Font, also known as Carrer Rera Sant Domènec, where there are still remnants of the Roman Circus.

The intriguing facade in the trompe-l’oeil style was painted by Carles Arola in 1995. In itself, represents a historical time in place, where powerful figures of Tarragona culture are side-by-side. The human figures are drawn with big heads which is a style used to represent people of stature and honour.

The facade also represents its true-to-life location. The balcony balustrades are adorned with florals to emphasise the vernacular architecture and styling that Mediterranean cities follow.

Plaça dels Sedassos | Author: marcgc

27 years since the mural was produced, its particular situation represents this desire to freeze a particular moment in time. A frozen era if you may.

The Plaça dels Sedassos has grown to be one of the most popular and photographed sites among tourists. This optical illusion masterpiece expresses an unofficial tourist attraction quite clearly as it seems to set the tone for its surrounding street art. The other street art located nearby follows the same Roman Circus aesthetic with its cartoonish style and bright colour schemes.

It's been said that it is harder NOT to stop and gawk at the art than to simply keep walking on by.

Plaça dels Sedassos | Author: Jaume