Presentation of the 150th anniversary events of the Historical Building
The Historical Building of the University of Barcelona as "a social and civic landmark that forms part of a collective heritage". This is how the rector of the UB, Joan Guardia, started the presentation of the events to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the inauguration of the first academic year at this university campus, and the completion of the restoration work on one of its most emblematic spaces, the Clock Tower.
The Historical Building of the University of Barcelona as "a social and civic landmark that forms part of a collective heritage". This is how the rector of the UB, Joan Guardia, started the presentation of the events to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the inauguration of the first academic year at this university campus, and the completion of the restoration work on one of its most emblematic spaces, the Clock Tower.
Then, the vice-rector for Cultural Heritage and Activities, Agustí Alcoberro, reviewed some of the main dates in the history of the UB linked to the Historical Building: from 1714, when the Bourbon authorities decided to end the general studies in Barcelona and move them to Cervera, until it returned to the Catalan capital late in the 19th century. Alcoberro also explained that the construction of the current building began in 1863 and that the first academic year was inaugurated in 1872, the date on which the UB is now commemorating the 150th anniversary with activities throughout the academic year. The vice-rector also pointed out that this year the University of Barcelona is also celebrating the 150th anniversary of the enrolment of the first woman in university education in Spain: Elena Maseras, in Medicine at the UB.
A special opening of the academic year
"The history of the UB is part of its identity", said Alcoberro, who highlighted the University's work to preserve and disseminate its heritage. He also mentioned some of the events that will take place to commemorate this anniversary, and revealed that the inauguration of the academic year, on 3 October, will include references to the history of the university campus and to the first women who studied at the UB. The athlete and UB former student Laia Palau, who is just finishing her professional career, will give the opening lecture.
Throughout this academic year there will be concerts and conferences, as well as a photographic exhibition on the 150th anniversary. This exhibition will draw on both the University's own collection and images given by citizens who have responded to the call to collect graphic testimonies of the university campus. A catalogue of the University's paintings will also be published, beginning with a volume dedicated to the Prado collection housed at the UB. You can check all the information about the 150th anniversary activities on this website.
One of the highlighted actions of the commemoration is the restoration of the Clock Tower of the Historical Building, which will be included in the guided tours of the university campus. The 35-metre-high tower is an iconic part of the city landscape in Barcelona. The general manager of the UB, Glòria Matalí, highlighted that this restoration was an important project for the University and that its cost —210,000 euros—, was funded, on the one hand, by the University's own resources and, on the other, by the sponsorship of the advertising canvases that covered the tower during the consolidation work. She added that the refurbishment "is part of the ongoing improvement of the Historic Building".