Catalan Parliament Building
The Former Military Arsenal of the Ciutadella
The current seat of the Parliament of Catalonia, located in the Parc de la Ciutadella, is a building that was designed as a military arsenal by engineer Prosper de Verboom between 1716 and 1748. It is an imposing structure, built with Montjuïc stone and red brick, organized into two robust cross-shaped wings that create four interior courtyards. A dome rises above the central pavilion of the wings. On the exterior, the arches forming a porch on the ground floor stand out.
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Why visit the Catalan Parliament Building?
It is a solid construction of more than 5,000 m² with two central cross-shaped wings that, after four decades of Francoist dictatorship, was restored and adapted in 1980 to once again house the 135 deputies representing the people of Catalonia.
The building’s history dates back to the 18th century, when Philip V demolished the Ribera neighborhood to build a defensive citadel where the current park now stands. Of those original structures, only the governor’s palace (now the Institut Verdaguer), the chapel (now a military parish), and the arsenal remain, which has had various uses until becoming the seat of the Parliament of Catalonia.
In 1889, the former arsenal of the Ciutadella was converted into a royal palace under the direction of Pere Falqués, municipal architect of Barcelona and designer of the famous lampposts on Passeig de Gràcia. He added three balconies on the first floor, decorated the entire façade with sgraffito, raised the central section of the building, and placed the stone coat of arms from the Socors Gate of the Ciutadella in the center of the façade.
On October 14, 1932, the Barcelona City Council ceded the palace to serve as the seat of the Parliament, and adaptation and decoration works were carried out. With the start of the Francoist dictatorship, the palace became a barracks and was not reinstated as the Parliament’s seat until 1980, with the return of democracy.
How to Get to the Parliament of Catalonia
From the Port Olímpic - Zoo stop on the Red Route of the Barcelona Bus Turístic, you can reach the Parliament of Catalonia, located within the Parc de la Ciutadella.
For the Curious
- Although the fortress in the Parc de la Ciutadella was theoretically built for defense, it was used to repress the population. Between 1719 and 1866, thousands of political prisoners were held in the dungeons of the Sant Joan tower, next to the current park lake, where torture was practiced.
- If you visit the Parc de la Ciutadella, take a moment to explore the Parc de Joan Fiveller, right in front of the Parliament. It’s a peaceful green space, and on the other side you’ll find the former governor’s palace and the chapel.
- During the park’s restoration in 1927, the current garden was created, featuring a central pond with a replica of the sculpture Desconsol by Josep Llimona.
