Palau del Parlament de Catalunya - Catalonia Parliament

About the Palau del Parlament de Catalunya

The Palau del Parlament de Catalunya, or Catalan Parliament Building, is located in the heart of Parc de la Ciutadella in Barcelona. Originally constructed as the arsenal of the Citadel Fortress, it is one of the few surviving structures from the 18th-century military complex built by King Felipe V after the War of Spanish Succession.

Designed by Flemish military engineer Jorge Próspero de Verboom, the Citadel Arsenal served as a key component of the fortress that once dominated the area now known as Ciutadella Park. Over the centuries, the building has undergone several transformations, reflecting the political and cultural shifts in Catalonia’s history.

In 1868, architect Pere Falqués converted the arsenal into a palace to host the Spanish royal family during the 1888 Barcelona Universal Exposition. It later became the Museum of Decorative and Archaeological Arts in 1900, before being repurposed in 1932 as the seat of the newly formed Parlament de Catalunya during the Second Spanish Republic.

Following the Spanish Civil War, the building reverted to military use and later housed the Museum of Modern Art. After Spain’s transition to democracy, it was reinstated as the official Parliament of Catalonia in 1979. Today, it remains a powerful symbol of Catalan identity and governance.

To learn more about the history of the Citadel Fortress and its remaining structures, visit the Parc de la Ciutadella page.

Historical Timeline of the Catalan Parliament Building

• 1716–1748: Designed by Flemish architect Jorge Próspero de Verboom as the Citadel Arsenal within King Felipe V’s fortress.
• 1868: After the fortress was dismantled, architect Pere Falqués transformed the arsenal into a palace to host the Spanish royal family during the 1888 Universal Exposition.
• 1900: Became the Museum of Decorative and Archaeological Arts, later relocated to Pedralbes Palace.
• 1932: With the Second Spanish Republic and Catalonia’s autonomy, the building was chosen as the seat of the Catalan Parliament.
• 1932–1936: Renovated by Santiago Marco, converting the throne room into the session chamber and replacing the Bourbon coat of arms with Catalonia’s emblem.
• 6 December 1932: First official session of the Catalan Parliament.
• 1936–1939: Spanish Civil War disrupts parliamentary activity.
• 1939: Building reverts to military use as barracks under Franco’s regime.
• 1945: Repurposed as the Museum of Modern Art.
• 1975: Death of Franco; Spain begins transition to democracy.
• 1977: Temporarily used by the Assembly of Parliamentarians.
• 1979: Officially reinstated as the seat of the Catalan Parliament.
• 2004: Museum of Modern Art collections moved to MNAC at Montjuïc.

Other Surviving Buildings from the Citadel Fortress

• Palau del Governador (Governor’s Palace): Originally part of the Citadel’s administrative complex, this historic building now serves as the Verdaguer Institute, a public school located within Ciutadella Park.
• Parròquia Castrense de la Ciutadella: This former military parish church was built to serve the spiritual needs of soldiers stationed at the fortress. Today, it remains a preserved example of Citadel-era religious architecture within Parc de la Ciutadella.

To explore more about the Citadel Fortress history and its transformation into Barcelona’s Parc de la Ciutadella, visit the Parc Cuitadella page.

Image Gallery for the Palau del Parlament de Catalunya

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Palau del Parlament de Catalunya Summary of Prices

Map for the Palau del Parlament de Catalunya