Palau Episcopal de Barcelona, Episcopal palace in Gothic Quarter, Barcelona, Spain
The Episcopal Palace stands beside Barcelona Cathedral, built against the Roman wall's decuman gate, whose two towers it incorporates. Its 13th-century Romanesque wing has three floors around a central courtyard, with a semicircular-arched gallery on the north-west side whose paired columns and carved capitals are rare surviving examples of the city's civil Romanesque sculpture.
Construction of the current palace began in 1253 under Bishop Arnau de Gurb and replaced an earlier episcopal residence. The building evolved gradually, with its form and structure reflecting multiple periods.
The Throne Room displays 18th-century wall paintings by Francesc Pla showing Old Testament scenes. The space conveys a sense of episcopal dignity and artistic taste from that period.
The palace serves as the official residence of Barcelona's archbishop and houses the Diocesan Archive, accessible through the main entrance on Bishop Street. Visitors should check opening hours in advance and dress respectfully.
A medieval bridge once connected the palace to the House of the Ardiaca across the Roman towers. This connection was demolished in 1823 and remains visible only in historical records.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 93,785 contributors worldwide.