Palau del Lloctinent (Lieutenant’s Palace), Barcelona

Just past the Frederic Marès Museum, a handsome doorway beckons you into the refined courtyard of the Lieutenant’s Palace, adorned with its three facades. As part of the former royal palace and boasting a typical late Gothic / early Renaissance Catalan design, this graceful structure, built by Antoni Carbonell between 1549 and 1557, stands as one of the most elegant buildings in the Gothic Quarter.

The weighty stone arches adorning the entrance, the central patio, and the intricately adorned wooden roof above the staircase all exemplify the noble architecture of the 16th century. The door on the stairway, dating to 1975, showcases scenes from the life of Sant Jordi and the history of Catalonia.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Palau del Lloctinent served as the residence of the king's official emissary or viceroy in Barcelona. Today, it houses the historical materials of the Archivo de la Corona de Aragón (Archive of the Crown of Aragon) and offers an excellent exhibition on the life and era of Jaume I, one of Catalonia's prominent figures from early times.

The courtyard also occasionally hosts concerts featuring early music. Additionally, during the Corpus Christi celebration, it becomes one of the main venues for the "ou com balla", where an egg appears to "dance" on the fountain amidst an elaborate floral arrangement.

Tip:
Take a stroll up the main stairs to the gallery/balcony and look up at the stunning carved wooden ceiling!