Barcelona's landmark buildings throw open their doors

Barcelona has a well-earned reputation for its architecture, but if you've ever been curious about what it's like inside some of the city's landmark buildings that are generally closed to the public, then 48h Open House might be for you.

The two-day event to promote and celebrate the architecture of the Catalan capital is this year holding its 10th edition on October 26 and 27, when it will throw open the doors of more than 200 iconic buildings to the general public.

Last year, 60,000 people seized the opportunity to take a peek inside well-known buildings like the Arc de Triomf grand archway, Montjuïc's Magic Fountain, or the 307 Civil War air-raid shelter, and the organizers hope to match those numbers this year.

What's more, with this year being 48h Open House's 10th anniversary, over the next two days, the organizers will offer the public some 240 activities related to architecture, as well as some 30 separate itineraries.

Focus on female architects

This year, the event pays special attention to the role of women architects in the city, and so the organizers have selected 10 female industry professionals so that each of them can present a different venue or area that they consider particularly important.

Among the other landmark buildings in the city that can be seen over the weekend are the likes of the grandiose La Paloma dance hall, which closed down 12 years ago, but which remains standing a hundred years since it first opened its doors.

Or, how about checking out the government's HQ, the Palau de la Generalitat, or retracing the city's historic shops that have disappeared with gentrification and the rise of tourism? You can even see the facilities where Barça train in FC Barcelona's Ciutat Esportiva.

Nearby towns taking part

And the many venues and itineraries are not restricted to the city itself, as a number of towns and cities in Barcelona's metro area are also participating, such as Badalona, Santa Coloma de Gramenet, l’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Vilassar de Dalt, and Sant Joan Despí.

Information on the different venues and activities on offer during 48H Open House, including opening times, addresses, and how to get there, can be found on the event's website: www.48hopenhousebarcelona.org. And best of all, it's free.