1772-1778
Presented by Alexander Engle
The Palau de Virreina, or "Palace of the Viceroy’s Wife" is a French Baroque/ Rococo palace located on La Rambla in Barcelona. The residence was designed by local architect Joseph Ribes for Manuel de Amat y Juniet, a distinguished figure on the Spanish political scene who was among other things, a Viceroy of Peru. The Palace was completed in 1778 and occupied by the Viceroy and his wife until his death, only a short time later in 1782.
The Palace stays in the Amat family until the year 1944 when it is bought by the Barcelona City Council. Through the years the Palau de la Virreina has housed numerous functions including the Museum of Decorative Arts, the Cambo Art Collection, the Postal Museum, and the Numismatic Office.
Today the palace is home to the City Council Department of Culture and features two seperate gallery spaces; the Espai 2 which exhibits contemporary mixed media exhibits and installations and the Espai Xavier Miserachs, which features photography exhibits.