Palau de la Virreina (Virreina Palace), Barcelona

Just past the Mare de Déu de Betlem church, the pavement recedes, revealing a magnificent view of the Palau de la Virreina. This grand rococo building boasts intricate stonework and ornate metal decorations. Originally completed in 1777 for Manuel Amat, the pleasure-seeking viceroy of Spain in Peru, it earned its name, the "Palace of the Viceroy's Wife", as his widow resided here for many years after his untimely death. Don't miss the palace's entrance and the meticulously carved floral designs adorning the pediments.

Constructed with two courtyards, the building is now known as the Virreina Centre de la Imatge. It serves as a cultural hub, hosting various events and exhibitions centered around contemporary art, film, and photography. At the building's front, you'll find a box office where you can obtain information and last-minute tickets for concerts, theater performances, dance shows, gallery exhibitions, and museum visits. If you venture to the courtyard's rear, you'll often catch a glimpse of the city's colossal Carnival giants ("gegants"), depicting the 13th-century Catalan king Jaume I and his wife, Violant. The origin of these elaborate five-meter-tall figures remains uncertain, but they likely originated from medieval traveling fairs and have become an integral part of Barcelona's festival processions.

Tip:
Adjacent to the palace stands the charming Casa Beethoven, a Modernista building that has been selling sheet music since 1920.