There is a city that breathes in secret, behind heavy wooden gates and facades that, from glancing at them so often out of the corner of our eyes, have almost become invisible to us. The urban fabric usually keeps its best secrets under lock and key, but luckily, the 48H Open House takes it upon itself, every so often, to unlock them.
But this weekend, the lock turns in our favor. On Saturday and Sunday, this architectural event invites residents to delve into the most intimate aspects of our heritage, throwing open the doors to a dozen exceptional spaces in Barcelona and its surroundings that are normally off-limits.
Here’s the complete list of spaces you can discover:
- Barcelona City Hall (Casa de la Ciutat): The historic “Edifici Vell” on Plaça de Sant Jaume, with origins dating back to the 14th century. Visitors will be able to explore ceremonial spaces normally off-limits to the public, including the monumental Saló de Cent, the hub of municipal government for over six hundred years. Sunday from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., no prior registration required.
- Torre de la Creu (Torre dels Ous): Architect Josep Maria Jujol’s first major work. Composed of five asymmetrical cylinders crowned by domes reminiscent of eggs in a nest, it is a burst of creativity often overshadowed by Barcelona’s Modernist monuments. Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Casa Sayrach: Located at the intersection of Diagonal and Enric Granados, this is a residential building for residents. Although the façade already catches the eye, the interior lobby is a masterpiece of Modernism with organic forms inspired by the sea and plants, usually reserved only for the residents. Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., no prior registration required.
- Teatre La Massa: A key work by Rafael Guastavino just before he left for the United States. Its 17-meter-diameter Catalan vaulted dome served as a test for the technique he later applied to stations and museums in New York. Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., no prior registration required.
- Palau Moja: Located on La Rambla, this grand 18th-century stately palace—commissioned by the Marquis of Moja—houses stately salons and frescoes by the painter Manuel Tramulles, which are usually inaccessible to the public. Saturday and Sunday from 3 to 7 p.m.
- MACBA Chapel (Crypt of the Convent dels Àngels): A completely unexpected, theatrical, and minimalist atmosphere in a 16th-century crypt—fully restored and very “pop.” It’s located in front of Plaça dels Àngels and the MACBA, and visits are on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Casa Llotja de Mar: The building serves as the corporate headquarters of the Chamber of Commerce and only opens its grand halls and courtyards on very specific occasions. Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Les Casetes on Garraf Beach: A picturesque seaside ensemble of small wooden huts painted white and green right by the water. Built starting in 1920 for fishermen and swimmers, they form a unique coastal landscape. Sunday at 11 a.m., 12 p.m., and 1 p.m., with advance registration required.
- Parliament of Catalonia: The current seat of political power and former military arsenal in the Ciutadella. Exploring its monumental hall of honor and the hemicycle is a great opportunity during this open house. Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Casa Bloc (Apartment-Museum): A landmark of 1930s workers’ rationalism designed by GATCPAC. The apartment-museum preserves the open-plan layout and original folding furniture that revolutionized the concept of decent housing in Europe. Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Palau de les Heures: Hidden beneath the gardens of this French château-style mansion lies the underground air-raid shelter that served as a hideout and command post for President Lluís Companys during the bombings of the Civil War. Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., no prior registration required.
- Mas Guinardó Air-Raid Shelter: Discovered during renovation work on the community center, this Civil War-era community bunker preserves its tunnels in impeccable condition, a far cry from the usual, more overcrowded shelters. Saturday at 10:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12 p.m., 12:30 p.m., and 1 p.m., no prior registration required.
