Palau del Parlament de Catalunya - Catalonia Parliament

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.

History of the Palau del Parlament de Catalunya building

• 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).

Other surviving buildings from the citadel Fortress

• 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.

For more history about the former citadel fortress, visit the Parc Cuitadella page.

Image Gallery for Catalan Parliament Old Citadel Buildings

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Visiting Catalan Parliament Old Citadel Buildings

From the outside the parliament building still looks very much the same as it did when it was designed by the architect and military engineer Jorge Próspero de Verboom. The building consists of two storeys and an attic space set out on a cross-shaped ground plan with a central dome and four inner courtyards.

The building is made from stone quarried on Montjuïc hill and terracotta tiles, and is decorated with the busts of prominent figures associated with Catalan art. These date from the extension carried out at the beginning of the 20th century when the building housed the art museum.

Catalan Parliament Guided Tours

The Catalan Parliament is not open to the public as a tourist attraction However

Getting to Catalan Parliament Old Citadel Buildings

Address: Parc De la Cuitadella S/N, Barcelona. 8003

Nearest TMB Metro is Arc de Triomf on the red (L1) line and on the Renfe RODALIES train network. Use a T-Casual or Hola-Barcelona travel card.

Also Estacio de França on the Renfe RODALIES and REGIONAL is nearby

Saba Bamsa pay parking can be found below Passeig de Lluís Companys.

Where to stay overnight in the Palau del Parlament de Catalunya