Law courts
During the last third of the 19th century Barcelona underwent rapid expansion as its new Eixample district grew with the construction of new housing and public buildings. In many cases the new constructions replaced the obsolete facilities of the crowded Ciutat Vella, or old quarter. The Law Courts were such a case and were intended to bring the various courts in the city, the Real Audiencia included, under one roof in an impressive new building suited to the grandeur of the new city. It was designed in 1886 by Enric Sagnier and Josep Domènech i Estapà and was the first important project undertaken by these two young, and only recently-qualified architects. The project was accompanied by an extensive report in which the arguments for the choice of materials and shape of the building were set forth. The material that best represented modern civilisation, they argued, was iron, but the building’s symbolic function required the solidity of stone to represent the weight of justice. They also believed that society was not yet ready for the use of iron structures for important public buildings. This reasoning lay behind their decision, a daring an innovative one for the time, to leave the iron structure visible, but appropriately decorated, in the roof over the grand staircase and the large hall on the first floor.
The building is organised in a rational and practical manner around a structure consisting of two symmetrical bodies, where the courtrooms are housed, with interior courtyards. Entrance is through the centre where there are large spaces suitable for grand processions and public ceremonies. Especially outstanding is the large hall known as the Saló dels Passos Perduts, one of the walls of which is covered by a large painting by Josep M. Sert. Other parts of the building were decorated by the painters Joan Llimona, Fèlix Mestres and Mas i Fontdevila, amongst others.
The Law Courts constitute one of the city’s most impressive public buildings. Outwardly they employ a decorative repertoire which takes elements from a number of different styles. The most outstanding Catalan sculptors of the day, such as the Vallmitjana brothers, Manuel Fuxà, Josep Llimona and Miquel Blay, were also commissioned to produce the sculptures around the facade depicting jurists and scenes alluding to justice. The building is crowned by a statue of Moses, the work of Agustí Querol.
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date
1904
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location
Barcelona
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address
Pg. de Lluís Companys, 14