ThePalau Reial Major (Catalan pronunciation:[pəˈlawrəˈjalməˈʒo]; "Grand Royal Palace") is a complex of historic buildings located inPlaça del Rei,Barcelona,Catalonia,Spain. It was a residence of thecounts of Barcelona andkings of Aragon. It is composed of three distinct edifices:
TheSaló del Tinell was built in the 14th century under the direction of architect Guillem Carbonell. Its gothic round arches are founded over 11th-century vaults (built themselves over a pre-existing monumental structure dating to theVisigoth age). The Chapel of St. Agatha was designed by architect Bertran Riquer to act as the royal chapel, replacing a previous oratory. It has an octagonal tower from the early 14th century, and it consists of a single aisle with a roof ceiling and ends with a polygonal apse. The sacristy is built within the ancient Roman walls. By commission ofPeter V of Aragon (1463–1466) painterJaume Huguet made the chapel altarpiece dedicated to theEpiphany.
BothSaló del Tinell and St. Agatha Chapel are valued asCatalan Gothic architecture masterpieces. The Epiphany altarpiece is also an outstanding gothic painting. They can be visited as a part of theBarcelona City History Museum MUHBA. Temporary exhibitions are held in them.
After the 16th century, the edifice was no longer used as a royal residence and was divided between theInquisition and the royal administration. In this period, the door leading to the Royal Audience Hall was built, with a triangulartympanum (currently at the entrance of theMuseu Frederic Marès).
ThePalau de Lloctinent was built in 1549–1557 by Antoni Carbonell, in late Gothic-Renaissance style as the residence of the Viceroy (Lloctinent) of Catalonia. Also from this period is the so-called Mirador of King Martin, a five-storey tower on a rectangular plan (1555).
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41°23′2.99″N2°10′39.24″E / 41.3841639°N 2.1775667°E /41.3841639; 2.1775667
