Eight centuries
The Barcelona Municipal Archives (AMB) began with the constitution of the first city government in 1249, initially for the safekeeping of the privileges that the count-kings awarded the city, with its special system of government.
From the 13th century to the present day, the AMB has collected the history of the municipal authority and acted as a privileged observatory of Barcelona’s history.
Jaume I lays the first stone
The city councillors’ first known meeting place was the old Santa Caterina convent, also known as the Dominicans’ or Preachers’ convent, where they began to keep the city’s privileges in big wooden boxes... read more
1917. Division of fonds
The recently created City Council Culture Committee decided to reorganise the Municipal Archives ... read more
A major transformation
It was in this period that work started on improving the archival infrastructures, to equip them with means and resources and standardise the archival function ... read more
2009. New management
A Mayoral decree approved the setting-up of the Municipal Archives System Executive Management and provided for the presence of archivists in the central areas and districts ... read more