Espais Verds

The Government Commission has initially approved the project to adapt and restore the iconic Umbracle building in Ciutadella Park.

The renovation seeks to restore the building, designed by Josep Fontseré in 1883, to its original appearance: the roof, façades, structure, paving and two doors will be restored, which will allow it to open onto Plaça de Fontseré, currently closed. The aim is to bring it up to date and make it a space for scientific dissemination open to the public.

The Umbracle is listed as a Cultural Asset of Local Interest and, together with the Hivernacle (greenhouse), the Three Dragons Castle and the Martorell Exhibition Centre, forms part of the heritage base of the Ciutadella del Coneixement, a pioneering science and urban development project that aims to turn the park and its surroundings into a leading European hub for knowledge, dissemination, research and innovation.

The Umbracle is currently home to several plant species, which will be protected during the works. In fact, one of the inherent objectives of the renovation is to improve and enhance the landscape aspects of the Umbracle.

A conservation project to adapt the building to current regulations

Around the building, the plan is to recover the exposed brick walls, improving drainage and clearing the vegetation. Also on the inside, the furniture, flooring, drainage and signage will be improved. With regard to the exterior, the joinery of the main façades and the grilles of the secondary façades will be recovered, and the heritage elements maintained.

The building will be adapted to current regulations with regard to safety, accessibility and fire protection, so that it can be a building for public use. It will also be equipped with more efficient and sustainable installations with the updating and improvement of the irrigation system, the incorporation of micro-sprinklers and the installation of a new lighting system.

The works are scheduled to be carried out in two phases: the interior part will begin during the first quarter of 2026 and will last 10 months, while the restoration of the four exterior façades will be carried out in 2027, with an expected duration of 5 months.

A major renovation and improvement project underway in Ciutadella Park

The renovation of the Umbracle, together with the improvements that have been made (Martorell Exhibition Centre and Hivernacle) and will be made (Three Dragons Castle) to the heritage base, complements the major renovation work underway in Ciutadella Park Ciutadella Park: renovation and improvements 2024-2026, which has a budget of 8.9 million euros.

Half of the investment —4.3 million euros— comes from the Next Generation EU European funds and the other half —4.5 million— from the Comprehensive Maintenance Plan, within the framework of the Endreça Plan, which aims to maintain, renovate and transform the city’s public space. In total, action will be taken in 11 of the park’s 14 hectares of greenery.

These actions will improve the park’s drainage and water circulation, preventing water from accumulating on the surface in large puddles during rainy periods and promoting maximum use of the space. Some plant species will also be changed and the area of ​​the park for shrubbery will be expanded, as shrubs consume less water than lawns.

The entire planting project will be carried out respecting the historical legacy of the park in terms of plants and with a commitment to maintaining and increasing the biodiversity of flora and fauna. The borders of the flowerbeds will also be renovated.

To date, the works to renew the paving and improve the roads have been completed, and work is currently being carried out on planting greenery, improving the drainage system, the irrigation network and the fountains. This work will be completed in the first half of 2026.