Virreina Palace, Neoclassical palace in El Raval, Spain
Virreina Palace is a Rococo building on La Rambla in El Raval, Barcelona, with a symmetrical facade featuring six Ionic columns and decorative vases along the roofline. Inside, a courtyard opens onto a double staircase flanked by tall windows framed with fluted pilasters and carved panels.
Manuel d'Amat i de Junyent, a former Viceroy of Peru, had the palace built starting in 1772 by architect Carles Grau, and it was finished in 1778. It later became a protected cultural asset, recognized as a monument of national importance.
The palace hosts rotating shows of photography and contemporary art, open to anyone who walks in. The contrast between the old Rococo rooms and the works on display gives the visit a particular edge.
The building sits on La Rambla and is easy to reach on foot, with the Liceu metro station just a short walk away. It is worth checking current exhibition schedules before visiting, as opening hours can vary depending on what is on.
Although the palace bears a woman's name, she was never its owner: the Viceroy's widow moved in only after his death, and the building took its name from her. Most visitors walk past the facade without knowing the name refers to someone who inherited the place, not the one who built it.
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