Visit Barcelona City HallCasa de la Ciutat, also known as Casa de la Ciutat, is located on the Plaça de Sant Jaumeone of the city's most central points.
Just opposite the town hall, you will find another important institutional building, the Palau de la Generalitat de Catalunya.
I tell you all about it in this article.
Barcelona City Hall: article summary
History of Barcelona City Hall
As far back as the early 1ᵉʳ century BC, the leaders of what was then known as Barcino met here to discuss various issues relating to the city's future. The current Town Hall building began with the construction of the Saló de Cent in the middle of the XIVᵉ century. The establishment now boasts a number of rooms and some unusual curiosities.
Barcelona City Hall: a pronounced Gothic façade
The Gothic facade of the Town Hall is on the side of the building, on Calle de la Ciutat. It dates back to 1399, when the famous architect and foreman Arnau Bargués was commissioned to manage the project commissioned by the Consell de CentThis was the seat of Barcelona's municipal government at the time. You can still see the Gothic stained glass windows, as well as the coat of arms of the city and of King Peter IV of Aragon.
A second façade in the neoclassical style
During the great reform of the Plaça de Sant Jaume, the neoclassical façade was built. Today, this is the main façade of the Town Hall. It closely resembles that of the Palau de la Generalitat, across the street.
On either side of the entrance are two sculptures, one of Rei Jaume I and the other of his advisor. If you look carefully, you'll see a plaque on the façade that reads "Plaza de la Constitución", a lasting reminder of the square's former name.
Discover the courtyard of the town hall
La cour de l’hôtel de ville est ornée de diverses sculptures d’artistes soit nés à Barcelone, soit ayant une relation de longue date avec la ville
. Parmi eux, les pièces maîtresses incluent des œuvres d’Antoni Miró, Josep Llimona, Pablo Gargallo, Manolo Hugué et Josep Maria Subirachs.On the right-hand side, as you enter the main entrance to Plaça de Sant Jaume, you'll see part of the old Trentenario market.
Visit the Queen Regent's Hall
This room is currently used as the plenary hall of the town hall. The origin of this room's construction is quite interesting. In fact, it was designed so that Queen Maria Cristina could have a space where she can drink tea with her friends.
The painting on the roof is just magnificent. It's completely original and represents virtue, industry and energy. Other original elements include the candelabras, brought from Versailles by the Queen herself, and the fireplaces.
The arch and sculptures of Santa Eulàlia and Sant Jordiaux on either side were added later, as were the wooden chairs used by Town Hall councillors during plenary sessions.
When can I visit Barcelona City Hall?
You can visit Barcelona City Hall every Sunday of the year, except when major public holidays such as December 25, 1ᵉʳ or January 6 fall on a Sunday. Although it's not necessary to book your visit in advance, I'd advise you to contact the town hall beforehand.
You can choose to visit the building at your leisure, with the help of an informative brochure, or take one of the guided tours. I highly recommend the latter for the history of the building.
How much does a visit to Barcelona City Hall cost?
Entrance to City Hall is free, regardless of the type of visit you choose. Although you do have access to the reception rooms, they may be closed for a private event.
How do I get there?
You can get to Barcelona City Hall by public transport. You can reach the site by :
- Visit metro when leaving Jaume I (line 4) or Liceu (line 3) stations
- Visit bus thanks to lines 45, 120, V15 and V17
If you decide to visit Barcelona, it may be worth your while to pay a visit to Barcelona City Hall. This is a free place to visit that brings together the styles explored by the city over the centuries.
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