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The University of Barcelona: 599 years of history

The most important dates and events

Until1450
  • 13th century The city already possesses several civil and ecclesiastical schools.
  • 1402 King Martí the Humane establishes departments that will become the Estudi General of Medicine and the Arts.
  • 1450 King Alphonse V unifies all university education into the Estudi General of Barcelona.

1450-1717
  • 1536 Construction begins on a new building for the Estudis Generals in the Rambla.
  • 1559 The institution becomes the Estudi General for all faculties. 
  • 1714 With the capture of Barcelona by the French in the War of Spanish Succession, all studies are moved to Cervera.
1717-1939
  • 1842 The University is permanently restored to the city of Barcelona.
  • 1871 Elies Rogent raises a new building at Plaça de la Universitat.
  • 1933 The University approves its Statute of Autonomy.

From 1939
  • 1939 The Franco dictatorship brings a period of severe repression at the UB.
  • 1950 Construction begins on new UB buildings.
  • 1977 The end of the dictatorship brings normalization, modernization and democratization to the University.
  • 1985 University autonomy is restored.
The UB's history in full >>

The UB’s history, stage by stage

  • Fins al 1450: l’Estudi General de Medicina i Arts

    Prior to 1450: the Estudi General of Medicine and Arts

  • 1450-1508: l’Estudi General de Barcelona

    1450-1508: the Estudi General of Barcelona

  • 1508-1717: l’edifici de la Rambla i l’Estudi General de totes les facultats

    1508-1717: the Rambla Building and the Estudi General of all the faculties

  • 1717-1835: la Universitat de Cervera

    1717-1835: the University at Cervera

  • 1835-1859: el restabliment de la Universitat de Barcelona

    1835-1859: the restoration of the University to Barcelona

  • 1859-1900: el nou edifici de l’arquitecte Elies Rogent

    1859-1900: the new building by architect Elies Rogent

  • 1900-1939: l’Estatut d’Autonomia de la Universitat de Barcelona

    1900-1939:the University of Barcelona Statute of Autonomy

  • 1939-1975: la Universitat de Barcelona sota la dictadura franquista

    1939-1975: the University of Barcelona during the Franco dictatorship

  • 1975-2010: la Universitat avui

    1975-2010: the University today

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