It is a monumental square, surrounded by Gothic and Renaissance buildings and closed on all sides except the southwest end, where it communicates with the Cathedral through the Descent of Santa Clara and the street of the Bookstore in through Carrer del Veguer. On the north side, the façade of the Gothic Royal Palace stands out, with the tower of the Mirador del Rei Martí at the far left, from where you can get a good view of the medieval city. On the right-hand side, the steps leading to the Saló del Tinell and the chapel of Santa Àgata, the façade of which closes the square on the east side. The south-east side contains the Casa Padellàs, home of the Barcelona History Museum, a Gothic house that was moved here from Carrer dels Mercaders when Via Laietana opened. The west side is occupied by the Renaissance Palau del Lloctinent, from the 16th century.
At the south-eastern end of the square is the sculpture Topos V, by Eduardo Chillida. In this same space, there was for many years