The Barcelona City Council has announced a comprehensive reform of the Contemporary Archive. It is a historical archive that houses more than 18 kilometers of documents. The period spans from 1820 to the present day, making it an essential resource for citizens and researchers alike. This vast collection covers three centuries of history, consolidating the archive as one of the most important and visited archives in Catalonia. In addition, the archive has an online version that facilitates access to part of the digitized documentation, making the history of the city available to everyone, regardless of location.
A historical archive with challenges
The Contemporary Archive is located at number 4, Bisbe Caçador Street. It is inside a protected building that faces special challenges due to its heritage value and the presence of Roman sites in its subsoil. It should be noted that these sites are not accessible to the public. The structure of the archive is the result of partial extensions over time and has varying degrees of architectural protection. Those in charge commented that this poses an additional challenge for the modernization work.
The building is divided into two main parts: an eight-story “container building”, intended exclusively for document storage, and a four-story administrative block, which is integrated into one of the old towers of the medieval wall of Barcelona. The latter is attached to the historic Palau Requesens, which adds architectural and cultural value to the facility. The connections between these two areas are made through three staircases. That is, the Tower staircase, which connects the four floors of the administrative block; the staircase of the warehouses, which spans all levels of the storage building; and a central staircase that links the two spaces.
Improvement plan
The Barcelona City Council has commissioned the architectural firm Feu Godoy to develop a project to make a series of improvements to the archive facilities. This while respecting the heritage elements. With an initial budget of 45,700 euros, the plan includes replacing the waterproofing of the roof and improving ventilation in the administrative volume. In addition, a series of functional updates will be made to the stairways. Fire protection improvements will also be implemented, with special reinforcement in the building’s three stairways.
Another priority of the project is to optimize climate control, which is vital for the preservation of documents. It is also planned to modernize the compact cabinet movement systems, which facilitate access to the archives. An automatic fire extinguishing system will be installed, ensuring greater protection for historical documents in the event of an emergency. The total cost of the renovation is estimated at 445,000 euros, and the expected completion time is approximately six months.
Other archives in Barcelona
The Contemporary Archive is part of an extensive network of archives that Barcelona makes available to the public. Among the most outstanding are the Historical Archive of the City of Barcelona, which houses documents related to the history of the city since the Middle Ages, and the Photographic Archive of Barcelona. The latter contains one of the largest collections of images documenting the evolution of the city throughout the 20th century. In addition, the Central Archives and the Municipal District Archives are distributed throughout the different neighborhoods, facilitating access to information and local history.
Legacy preserved in the Historical Archives
The refurbishment of the Contemporary Archive is part of a broader effort to preserve and enhance the city’s historical resources. With this investment, the City Council seeks not only to guarantee the protection of fundamental documents, but also to facilitate access to Barcelona’s history and culture for researchers, students and citizens in general. This modernization will allow the archive to continue to be a source of knowledge and a reference for the study of the city’s contemporary history.
Furthermore, the transformation of the Contemporary Archive reinforces Barcelona’s position as a city committed to preserving its historical and cultural heritage, adapting to the needs of the present and ensuring that future generations can continue to explore the city’s rich history. With this renovation, the archive will continue to be an essential space for study and consultation, while modernizing its facilities to ensure its continued use for decades to come.
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