Heritage
+ Heritage
BROADENING THE TRADITIONAL CONCEPT OF HERITAGE
We value the heritage linked to everyday life, the identity of local neighbourhoods and of those who live there, and the urban landscape in the fight against climate change.
Extending protection
The city is now facing the need to redefine what is regarded as heritage, moving beyond the traditional concept of heritage as something essentially monumental, and incorporating grassroots, working-class and urban heritage as well, thereby creating the emotional link with everyday life that is essential for maintaining and integrating identity in local neighbourhoods and throughout the city.
Urban landscape
We are working to protect and maintain the city’s valuable urban landscape, and looking after the city’s image, of an orderly, rational and harmonious environment that improves the quality of life. Encouraging grassroots participation, and helping to conserve and improve this landscape.
Let's look after our heritage
Barcelona’s squares, gardens and streets are full of buildings and art designed to interact not only with their surroundings, but above all with people. They are features that define the city, and are a part of our identity.
The city’s heritage belongs to all, and we are working to maintain, restore and conserve it.
Catalogue and inventaries
Consult the heritage of our city
We are expanding the concept of heritage, which in addition to considering its historical, architectural or landscape value, also contemplates its ordinary nature: because heritage is also the identity of the neighborhoods, what we recognize as collective memory, the lived city.
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Special Plans and the Catalogue
The heritage-protection catalogue is the main tool for protecting our identity, our cultural and historical legacy, and ultimately our collective memory of the city. The assets it includes represent an irreplaceable heritage that needs to be passed on to future generations in the best possible condition.
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Barcelona Virtual Museum of Public Art
This catalogue currently includes 1,881 sets of artistic works found in public spaces, encompassing 3,523 individual works. Each piece is accompanied by a comprehensive file and a set of broad-themed itineraries. The collection is periodically expanded and updated.
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Archaeological Map
This is a tool that features over 3,000 points of archaeological heritage interest on the Barcelona map, where you can find analysis and assessment documentation.
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My neighbourhood's mosaic
This is a participatory project created with the aim of discovering and preserving the city’s heritage. Barcelona’s local residents send photos of a mosaic, along with any information of interest, which is then published in an online inventory.
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Modern and Contemporary Architecture Guide
It is a synthesis of works of the modern and contemporary movement and has the purpose of promoting its dissemination, maintenance and conservation.
Coming soon
GRANTS FOR THE PROTECTION AND IMPROVMENT OF LANDSCAPE AND HERITAGE
We support actions of interest in terms of heritage, and initiatives for renovating the architecture that makes up the urban landscape.
GOVERNMENT MEASURE
BARCELONA, HERITAGE CITY
The underlying aim of the government measure is to promote and introduce a new heritage culture in the city, one that is more in harmony not just with disciplinary developments, but also with growing public and cultural awareness.
This is all about turning an old paradigm on its head, and encouraging renovation rather than expediting demolition, with a fairer city model that is centred on local residents, integration and sustainability.
World Capital of Architecture 2026
In 2026, Barcelona will be the setting for the World Congress of Architects organised by the International Union of Architects (UIA), and at the same time the UIA-UNESCO World Capital of Architecture.
Barcelona World Capital of Architecture 2026 gets under way with the launch of an international ideas competition for young architects to transform ten permanent party walls, one in each district, to make them into new façades. Open until 5 August and conducted in conjunction with UNESCO and the International Union of Architects (UIA) as part of the city’s Architecture Weeks, the competition seeks architectural projects that give meanings to currently anonymous and inconspicuous walls in public spaces, in a permanently provisional state.
"Barcelona 2026 World Capital of Architecture" Website
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17/01/2024
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07/07/2023
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29/07/2021
Agenda
Barcelona offers a wide range of activities and events promoting and disseminating the city’s heritage.
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Pavellons Güell
Guided visits to Pavellons Güell
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Mies van der Rohe
Cultural activities at Fundació Mies van der Rohe
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Design Museum
Consult all the activities at Museu del Disseny
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ICUB
Activities and events by Institut de Cultura de Barcelona
Notícies
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11/06/2024 - 14:12 h Urban planning and infrastructures International ideas competition launched to transform ten party walls
The projects put forward will be evaluated according to criteria on urban quality, liveability, sustainability and biodiversity.
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13/02/2024 - 17:00 h Urban planning and infrastructures Move to preserve the heritage and identity of El Clot and El Camp de l’Arpa
Initial approval for the new urban plan to preserve the singularity of these two neighbourhoods, maintaining the traditional make-up and facilitating the construction of new affordable housing.
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05/02/2024 - 12:25 h Urban planning and infrastructures Barcelona will hold the 2024 Architecture Weeks from 14 May to 28 June
From 14 May to 28 June, Barcelona will hold its annual architecture event once again.
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17/01/2024 - 12:37 h Urban planning and infrastructures Curatorship and theme announced for the World Congress of Architects 2026
The project is headed by the architects Pau Bajet, Mariona Benedito, Maria Giramé, Tomeu Ramis, Pau Sarquella, Carmen Torres and José Zabala.
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10/01/2024 - 10:50 h Urban planning and infrastructures Curatorship project for the 2026 UIA World Congress of Architects to be presented on 17 January
The curators for the 2026 UIA World Congress of Architects will be presenting their project at the COAC on 17 January.
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28/06/2023 - 11:06 h Urban planning and infrastructures General curator wanted for the World Congress of Architects
The congress will be held in the city when Barcelona is the World Architecture Capital, in 2026.
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18/04/2023 - 12:31 h Housing Subsidies for heritage work, party walls and green rooftops
Iconic commercial establishments and privately owned listed buildings are included.
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07/03/2023 - 14:32 h Commerce and markets European municipal alliance to preserve and protect iconic commerce
The Barcelona Declaration was signed on the preservation and promotion of iconic shops and businesses during the first International Meeting on Iconic Shops in European Cities, held in Barcelona.
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07/03/2023 - 13:15 h City Council The Model Architectures Festival backs radical empathy
The event is being held at the Parc de les Glòries from 20 to 30 April.
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09/11/2022 - 11:06 h Culture and leisure, Urban planning and infrastructures The mammoth's trunk in Ciutadella Park has been restored
The Urban Architecture and Heritage Department of the Barcelona City Council has repaired the mammoth's trunk in Ciutadella Park.