Marvel at the Palau Reial Major a true testament to Barcelona’s rich past.
Before you stands the Palau Reial Major. It wasn’t always a museum. This majestic complex once housed counts of Barcelona and kings of Aragon. Imagine royal life here. Generations of rulers resided within these walls. Decisions shaping Catalonia and Aragon were made here.
The Palau Reial Major isn’t just one building. It’s three distinct structures. The Salo del Tinell stands tall. King Peter IV commissioned it between 1359 and 1362. Architect Guillem Carbonell designed its Gothic round arches. These arches rest on 11th-century vaults. Beneath those are even older Visigoth foundations. The history runs deep under your feet.
Then there is the Palatine Chapel of St Agatha. King James II built it in 1302. Architect Bertran Riquer designed this royal chapel. It replaced an older oratory. The chapel features an octagonal tower. A single aisle leads to a polygonal apse. The sacristy is nestled within ancient Roman walls. Peter V of Aragon commissioned Jaume Huguet to paint the altarpiece in 1463-1466. It’s a masterpiece dedicated to the Epiphany.
Finally we have the Palau del Lloctinent. Antoni Carbonell built this in 1549-1557. Its style blends late Gothic and early Renaissance. It served as the residence of the Viceroy of Catalonia. The Mirador of King Martin is a striking five-storey tower. It dates to 1555. It stands as a silent sentinel.
After the 16th century the palace was no longer a royal residence. It became divided. The Inquisition and the royal administration shared it. A door to the Royal Audience Hall was added. Its triangular tympanum is now at the Museu Frederic Mares.
Today the Palau Reial Major is part of the Barcelona City History Museum MUHBA. It stands as a living museum of Barcelona’s past. It is a remarkable site full of layers of history. Come explore this amazing place.