A Francesc Rius i Taulet

Introduction:
Francesc de Paula Rius i Taulet was mayor of Barcelona for the monarchic liberal party in four different phases, the last of which was during the Exposition. Two years after the event, in 1890, Rius i Taulet died. Shortly afterwards, this monument was erected in his honor, highlighting his urban planning initiative. Designed, once again, by Pere Falqués and with the sculptor Manuel Fluxà in charge of the statues, what this monument does not explain is how Rius i Taulet's management and his council led the City Hall to an economic ruin that took years to overcome.

Content:
"Do what you must, even if you owe what you do." This was the response that Rius i Taulet gave to Catalan journalists who asked about the economic expenditure involved in the Exposition. The quote showcases the two sides of the mayor with prominent sideburns, who delighted the satirical newspapers of the time. He certainly had drive and wanted to push the project forward, but he also left the City Hall with significant debt as a result of the event. The Catalan industrialists and the Spanish government, after lengthy negotiations, brilliantly novelized by Eduardo Mendoza in "The City of Prodigies", also contributed financially to the Exposition. The rumor has it that Madrid contributed enough for the Catalans not to claim they had done it alone, but not enough to prevent municipal indebtedness. Be that as it may, the Exposition marked, for the first time, an opening of the city towards the sea with the creation of the Paseo de Colón, which ran from the monument to the "discoverer" to the entrance of the Citadel. At this time, the public lighting of Las Ramblas and the Paseo Colón was also electrified. The City Hall launched several initiatives to attract foreign visitors to the exhibition, which was advertised throughout Europe. The train from France was offered at half price, and it was wished that one hundred policemen from the Urban Guard learned French to be able to communicate with tourists. This measure was widely praised in the press, which considered it very useful. On the current Pujades street, in front of the entrance to the Citadel, there was one of the main attractions of the Exposition, the Roller Coaster.

Rutes científiques de Barcelona