Llotja de Mar, Barcelona

Constructed between 1380 and 1392, the Llotja de Mar stands as Barcelona's eminent example of civil architecture and served as the hub of the city's maritime trade. Though the neoclassical fashion of the late 18th century unfortunately covered its facades, the interior remains a testament to its original glory. The magnificent Gothic Hall, known as Saló Gòtic, witnessed countless balls and celebrations throughout the 19th century. It was utilized as the Barcelona stock exchange until 1975 and later as the grain exchange until 2001. Thanks to a brilliant restoration, the hall now shines with its graceful arches, columns, and floors adorned with light Carrara and dark Genovese marble. While access to the building is typically restricted, it currently houses the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce.

From 1849 to 1960, the School of Fine Arts ("Escola de Belles Arts") occupied the southwestern corner of the Llotja. Esteemed artists from Barcelona, including Gaudí, Miró, and Picasso, received their education within its walls. The Llotja still serves as the seat of the Royal Catalan Academy of Fine Arts of Saint George, housing a semi-secret art collection that includes medieval paintings by unknown artists and modern works by academy members (notably, there is a splendid 17th-century depiction of Saint Jerome by Joan Ribalta).

Tip:
To access the Gothic Hall ("Saló Gòtic"), descend the stairs from the museum to the 2nd floor, then follow the marble staircase down and turn right. Guided visits to the museum collection are available for groups of 10 to 25 individuals, and admission is free.

***PICASSO'S BARCELONA***
Aged 13, Pablo Picasso joined the School of Fine Arts ("Escola de Llotja") in 1895. During that period, the school – where his father, Don José, was a teacher – occupied the top floor of the building. Despite being younger than his fellow classmates, Don José successfully arranged for Pablo to attend advanced classes by presenting a pair of charcoal drawings of a live model to a panel of art teachers. While most students typically spent four weeks working on the two important sketches, Pablo astonishingly completed them in just one week. These drawings, which showcase his talent, are still preserved in the school's archival collection.

[Royal Academy Museum]:
Mon-Fri: 10am–2pm