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The façade
The façade of the Palau
The shield with the cross of
St. George, symbol of the
Institution.
Since mediaeval times, the Plaça de Sant Jaume
has been the political and administrative centre of both Catalonia
and the city of Barcelona. The City Hall and the Palau de la
Generalitat face each other across the square. The Palau has
undergone expansions and alterations since the XVI century,
to fit the needs of each historical period.
The façade of the Palau de la Generalitat, which greets visitors, is part of the most sumptuous body of the building (1596-1602). Designed by Pere Blai, its Renaissance style recalls the Roman palaces of the Renaissance. The architect achieved balance by playing with the horizontal rhythms of the windows, contrasting with the joined pilasters at the ends of the façade.
The alternation of the triangular pediments and curved sections on the main floor is worthy of note. Right in the middle of this section is set the niche with the busts of the three deputies of the Generalitat who ordered the construction of the facade. Above the niche is the shield with the Cross of St. George, symbol of the Institution. The sculpture of the Saint, patron of Catalonia, is by Andreu Aleu (1860).
The ground floor of the Palau is austere and robust in character, looking like a fortress. Two bronze lions, by Venanci Vallmitjana (XIX c.), on either side of the steps guarding the access to the Gothic building, accentuate this impression, in clear contrast with the first Gothic court-yard with its marble staircase of honour. This staircase was refurbished at the end of the XIX century by the architect Romà Prats, and is presided over by the painting Sant Jordi (Saint George) by Miquel Martorell (1685), in a sumptuous frame from the same period.
The façade of the Palau de la Generalitat, which greets visitors, is part of the most sumptuous body of the building (1596-1602). Designed by Pere Blai, its Renaissance style recalls the Roman palaces of the Renaissance. The architect achieved balance by playing with the horizontal rhythms of the windows, contrasting with the joined pilasters at the ends of the façade.
The alternation of the triangular pediments and curved sections on the main floor is worthy of note. Right in the middle of this section is set the niche with the busts of the three deputies of the Generalitat who ordered the construction of the facade. Above the niche is the shield with the Cross of St. George, symbol of the Institution. The sculpture of the Saint, patron of Catalonia, is by Andreu Aleu (1860).
The ground floor of the Palau is austere and robust in character, looking like a fortress. Two bronze lions, by Venanci Vallmitjana (XIX c.), on either side of the steps guarding the access to the Gothic building, accentuate this impression, in clear contrast with the first Gothic court-yard with its marble staircase of honour. This staircase was refurbished at the end of the XIX century by the architect Romà Prats, and is presided over by the painting Sant Jordi (Saint George) by Miquel Martorell (1685), in a sumptuous frame from the same period.