Virreina Palace

Virreina Palace is a Rococo building in El Raval featuring a symmetrical facade with six ionic columns supporting balconies and twelve decorative vases arranged along the roofline. Inside, a courtyard contains a double staircase offering views toward tall windows framed with fluted pilasters and carved panels.

Manuel d'Amat i de Junyent, a former Viceroy of Peru, commissioned architect Carles Grau to build this palace starting in 1772. Construction was completed in 1778 and the building now holds the status of a protected cultural asset.

The palace hosts rotating exhibitions of photography and contemporary art displayed throughout its rooms. These shows make it an active cultural space where visitors can encounter modern creative works today.

The building is accessible by metro at Liceu station on line 3, or by buses serving the area. It is open from Tuesday through Sunday, giving visitors several days each week to plan a visit.

The original owner was not just a diplomat but also a major figure in South American colonial administration. This historical connection shapes how the building is understood today as a symbol of distant wealth and power.

Location: El Raval

Inception: 1778

Architects: Josep Ausich i Mir

Creator: Carles Grau

Architectural style: Rococo

Part of: La Rambla

Address: Rambla, 99

Website: http://lavirreina.bcn.cat

GPS coordinates: 41.38236,2.17159

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:42