Over 200 buildings open doors for 48H Open House architecture festival in Barcelona

More than 200 buildings in Barcelona and its surrounding area are open this weekend, coinciding with the 48H Open House architecture festival. The event allows residents to visit buildings and constructions that are not open to the public throughout the year. 

One of the most visited architects this year is Catalan modernist Lluís Domènech i Montaner, as many of his buildings are open to the public to commemorate the 100th anniversary of his death. Among his projects open to the public between October 21 and 22 is Passeig de Gràcia boulevard's Casa Lleó Morera. 

Other open buildings by different architects include the Hipòstia room in Antoni Gaudí's Park Güell and the interior of Vallvidrera reservoir. 

Volunteers explain, for free, the hidden secrets of such constructions and allow residents to visit closed spaces, normally because they are of private use, such as individual homes. 

In fact, Casa Lleó Morera has been one of the most visited buildings this weekend, as it is normally closed. As part of the 48H Open House Barcelona, the first floor was open to the public. 

"Casa Lleó Morera has a special element because of its interior design, a lot of craftsmanship worked with Lluís Domènech i Montaner, but it is now closed, but we hope it will be opened in the near future," Miquel Zuzama, director of 48h Open House BCN, told the Catalan News Agency (ACN). 

To make it more accessible, visitors do not need to register in advance for most buildings. However, some have had their spots booked for weeks because there were privacy and security concerns.

"We want people to go out and visit spontaneously. With most of the buildings, you just need to go there and ask for information from the volunteers," Zuzama said. 

In the last edition, over 76,000 people visited some of the buildings open during the 2022 edition of the 48H Open House BCN. Organizers expect to reach and even surpass similar numbers. 

Here are some of the best sites to see during this edition of 48H Open House Barcelona: 

- Arc de Triomf - open Saturday and Sunday, 10 am to 7 pm

- Venetian Towers at Plaça Espanya - open Sunday, 10 am to 7 pm

- Poble Espanyol - open Sunday 10 am to 2 pm

- Palau de la Mùsica Catalana - this is an event with prior sign-up necessary

- FC Barcelona's training ground and complex - open Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 1 pm, as well as 4.30 pm to 6.30 pm on Sunday

- Barcelona sewer system network in Eixample - entries Saturday at 10 am and 11.30 am

- Casa Gallart / Lluís Companys civil war air raid shelter - Sunday 10 am to 7 pm 

- Liceu Circle - open Sunday 10 am to 1 pm

- Modernist Güell Pavilions - Saturday 10 am to 5 pm

- National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC) - Sunday 10 am to 3 pm

- Joan Miró Foundation (building and terraces) - Sunday 4 pm to 7 pm

- Can Framis museum - Saturday 11 am to 6 pm and Sunday 11 am to 2 pm