The University of Barcelona (UB) is celebrating. On October 3rd, coinciding with the start of the 2022-2023 academic year, a great event will commemorate the 150th anniversary of the inauguration of the historic building by architect Elies Rogent.
The celebration of the first century and a half of life of the eclectic building in Plaça Universitat, whose construction did not end until 1891, is accompanied by the now completed restoration of one of the two towers that dominate this architectural complex, the Rellotge.
From now on, and as part of the will of the rector of the UB, Joan Guàrdia, to revalue the university's heritage and open the doors of this teaching center to the city even more, the Rellotge tower, whose bells recovered the sound three years ago after more than two decades without working, it will be open to visitors.
Throughout the course numerous activities will be carried out to recover the memory of these 150 years of the historic building of the UB and project it into the future, such as photographic exhibitions, theater and musical performances or conferences by former students of the university from which until the second half of the 20th century it was the only center of these characteristics in Catalonia.
In the presentation of the commemorative acts, the rector of the UB, Joan Guàrdia, stated that the building "forms part of the history of the city", as a witness, stage and even protagonist of many relevant events of the last 150 years
The vice-rector for Heritage, Agustí Alcoberro, highlighted the restoration of the Rellotge tower, in which 210,000 euros have been invested, mostly from the university's own funds. With the guided tours, in groups of no more than ten people, visitors will be able to enjoy the magnificent 360-degree view that is offered from the top of the tower and that covers practically the entire city of Barcelona from its 35-meter-high bell tower. height, crowned by a dome that has also been restored.
