Junta d'Obres del Port, Port administration building in Gothic Quarter, Barcelona, Spain.
Junta d'Obres del Port is a port administration building with eclectic architecture located in the Gothic Quarter, marked by its rectangular form and corner towers. The structure features maritime decorations and a sculptural ensemble representing Barcelona's protection of maritime commerce and trade.
Architect Julio Valdes constructed the building between 1903 and 1907, and it served as Barcelona's main port administration headquarters until 2010. Following its closure, the structure underwent rehabilitation to restore its original character and architectural features.
The facade displays sculptures by Joan Serra Pau showing figures of Mercury and Marina, along with crowned city personifications that symbolize maritime heritage. These artistic elements reflect the harbor's importance to Barcelona and its role in the city's identity.
The building is located at Plaza del Portal de la Paz 6, right next to the Columbus Monument, making it easy to find when exploring the waterfront area. Its rehabilitation maintained the original single-floor layout, so visitors can understand the building's straightforward interior organization.
The upper floors once housed El Mundial Palace restaurant, which hosted a royal banquet for King Alfonso XIII during his 1908 visit to Barcelona. This elegant dining venue no longer operates, but its presence reveals how the building served social and ceremonial purposes beyond port administration.
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