A question often asked is: What is a Gothic cloister doing in the middle of Barcelona’s Eixample? This is the Claustre de l’església de la Concepció. The history of the Claustre de l’església de la Concepció involves a series of relocations and constructions that still surprise people today.
The Claustre de l’església de la Concepció is located in one of Barcelona’s busiest areas. It sits in the southeast quadrant of the block formed by Aragó, Roger de Llúria, València, and Bruc streets. The church has large facades facing Aragó and Roger de Llúria streets. This makes it a very visible parish in the neighborhood.
Originally, the parish of the Concepció became a center for religious and social activities in the expanding Eixample. Its boundaries once stretched from Rambla de Catalunya to beyond Passeig de Sant Joan. They also reached from the Diagonal to Gran Via. These limits included almost all of the Eixample’s right side and areas like Passeig de Gràcia.
The Claustre de l’església de la Concepció has a history full of unique aspects. These make it especially interesting from historical, architectural, aesthetic, social, and religious perspectives. The current parish building is a Gothic construction.
A royal permit allowed the demolition of the old city walls. This opened the possibility for Barcelona to expand into what is now the Eixample. Near the old wall close to Plaça Urquinaona stood the convent of Santa Maria de Jonqueres. It featured a beautiful Gothic church and a large cloister. Barcelona’s needed expansion led to the demolition of this architectural complex in the late 19th century.
The city council decided to move the convent stone by stone from its original location in the old city. It was to be rebuilt in the new area of economic and demographic expansion the Eixample. This decision led to the relocation of the Claustre de l’església de la Concepció. After some modifications the main building took on its current appearance.
Attached to the church was the magnificent Gothic cloister of Santa Maria de Jonqueres. It was one of the largest in Barcelona along with those of the cathedral and the monastery of Pedralbes. The architectural elements of this cloister share many features with the Gothic style of the Palau de la Generalitat.
The Claustre de l’església de la Concepció is now a symbol of the parish. It serves as a central point for parish activities outside of liturgical worship. The space offers a peaceful oasis for those who visit. It is often used for outdoor concerts, cultural events, and gatherings.
Behind the city hall there was a church called Sant Miquel. It was also demolished to allow for the expansion of the dense medieval streets. The bell tower of Sant Miquel was chosen as a complement to the relocated Concepció church. Some additions were made to the top of the tower giving it its current appearance.
We owe it to the historical and aesthetic sensibility of our ancestors. They preserved the architectural elements that make up the parish of the Immaculada Concepció i Assumpció de Nostra Senyora. This includes the main building the cloister and the bell tower.
The relocation of the church took place between 1869 and 1871. The dismantling and reconstruction of the cloister occurred between 1869 and 1888. Finally the addition of the Sant Miquel bell tower was completed in 1879. The original project is attributed to architect Josep Boixareu. The construction was managed by Jeroni Granell.
Over time new spaces were added to meet the parish’s needs. These included the rectory the Capella del Santíssim and the Capella de la Mare de Déu de Montserrat. Historical events led to further interventions. The roofs of the cloister and parts of the main building were reconstructed after damage during the Civil War. Today the parish complex of the Concepció is a diverse space with the artistic coherence of Catalan Gothic style.