Open House Barcelona reveals 199 architectural treasures across the city this weekend, offering completely free access to normally restricted buildings.
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The popular 48-hour event has expanded to include seven Catalan cities, with Barcelona hosting 136 participating locations. Furthermore, approximately one-third of this year’s programme features entirely new additions never before included in the event.
Open House Barcelona Expands With Historic Additions
The Marqués de Alfarràs Palace stands out among this year’s newcomers, having recently undergone restoration within Horta-Guinardó’s Labyrinth Park. This remarkable structure began as an 11th-century defensive tower before transforming into an agricultural estate managed by Jaume de Vallseca, member of one of Barcelona’s most powerful lineages. Consequently, visitors can now explore this millennium-old palace that the Barcelona City Council acquired in 1967 and opened to the public in 1972.
Another highlight includes the Llars Mundet church, designed by architect Manuel Baldrich and inaugurated in 1957. The organisation notes this building surprises visitors as one of the city’s less recognised iconic structures. Additionally, its exterior features a separate 45-metre bell tower of exposed brick crowned by a metal cross, while colourful stained-glass windows line the interior walls.
The programme also introduces Torre Diagonal ONE, Telefónica’s Forum building, as another significant addition. This 110-metre tower contains 24 floors and more than 26,000 square metres of office space. Moreover, the building’s glass and steel facade dynamically reflects light and landscape, creating what organisers describe as “a dynamic relationship with its surroundings.”
Visitors should note that some itineraries require prior registration, while the organisation provides a real-time map showing spaces with higher and lower attendance. This initiative forms part of Barcelona’s broader cultural accessibility efforts, similar to other recent cultural renovations across the city. The Open House Barcelona event continues demonstrating how architectural appreciation remains accessible to all residents and visitors alike.
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