Palau del Parlament de Catalunya - Catalonia Parliament
Former Arsenal of the Citadel fortress, one of the few surviving citadel buildings is now the Catalonia Parliament. Guided tours information
About Catalan Parliament Old Citadel Buildings
The Catalan Parliament, Palau del Parlament de Catalunya, is located in the capital of Catalonia which is Barcelona. The parliament building is actually the former arsenal of the Citadel fortress which once stood on the site of what is now Parc de la cuitadella.
- 1716-1748: Designed by Flemish architect Jorge Próspero de Verboom to serve as the Citadel arsenal in King Felipe V of Spain's fortress.
- 1868: After the destruction of the Citadel fortress, the arsenal building was transformed into a palace by Pere Falqués to receive the Spanish Royal Family during the 1888 Barcelona Universal Exposition.
- 1900: The building became the Museum of Decorative and Archaeological Arts (Museo Municipal de Arte Decorativo y Arqueológico) A collection that now resides in Pedralbes Palace.
- 1932: The proclamation of the Second Spanish Republic and the grant of self-government to Catalonia, the building was chosen by the newly created Catalan Parliament.
- 1932-: Building was renovated by the decorator Santiago Marco, transforming the throne room into the session chamber, and on the façade the Bourbon coat of arms was replaced by the coat of arms of Catalonia.
- 6th December 1932: Inaugural session of parliament.
- 1936 - 1939: Spanish Civil War.
- 1939: Citadel Arsenal once again becomes military barracks.
- 1945: The building becomes the seat of Modern Art in Barcelona.
- 1975: The dictator Franco dies and Spain transitions to democracy.
- 1977: The building temporarily served as the Assembly of Parliamentarians (Assemblea de Parlamentaris).
- 1979: Became the seat of Parliament again and was renovated.
- 2004: The Museum of Modern Art was transferred to the Palau Nacional de Montjuïc, the new headquarters of the Museo Nacional de Art de Catalunya (MNAC).
History of the Palau del Parlament de Catalunya building
- Palau del Governador - Governor's Palace: Now a school called the Verdaguer Institute.
- Parròquia Castrense de la Ciutadella: This chapel was once the Military parish church of the citadel fortress.
Other surviving buildings from the citadel Fortress
For more history about the former citadel fortress, visit the Parc Cuitadella page.
Image Gallery for Catalan Parliament Old Citadel Buildings
Click on any of the 8 images to open full screen gallery player
