In 1893, thirty years after the start, the works were completed. The building, imposing and spectacular, has the structure of a neo-Romantic palace. The total budget was 4,047,397.09 pesetas.
The faculties of Sciences, Philosophy and Letters, Pharmacy and Law are now comfortably located in the new University. For its part, the Faculty of Medicine continued at the Hospital de la Santa Creu until 1906, when it moved to the new building annexed to the Hospital Clínic.
It is worth noting that, for a while, and due to the construction work and military occupation, the number of enrolled students has been affected: If in 1878 there had been 2,400, in 1882 the figure dropped to 2,000. From this moment on, therefore, numbers grow again: In 1887, 2,824 students enrolled and, in 1900, the number reached 3,000. And, meanwhile, the Historic Building becomes an icon of the city of Barcelona.
1872
Helena Maseras enrols in the Faculty of Medicine; She is the first female university student in Spain
1875
Foundation of the Provincial School of Architecture of Barcelona, located in the University building
18 de juny de 1881
Inauguration of the bells of the Clock Tower
19 de juny de 1893
Completion of the works on the University of Barcelona building
On 11 February 1873, the First Spanish Republic was proclaimed. Two days later, the publication La Imprenta: Diario de Avisos, Noticias y Decretos prints the following story:
“At this moment, which is twelve o'clock, a very large demonstration of the students of this University enters the Plaza de la Constitución [now Plaça de Sant Jaume] to express their sympathies in favour of the Federal Republic. It is preceded by a banner in which several slogans are written that indicate the predilection of the demonstrators for the federative form. A military band played patriotic tunes as we passed Calle de la Libertad [Carrer Ferran]. [...] The demonstration marched quietly and quietly with the greatest order, with complete calmness and within the limits of legality.”
The 1872-1873 academic year is different from the rest. For the first time, a woman has enrolled in the Faculty of Medicine. This is Maria Elena Maseras Ribera (1853-1905), the first female university student in the Spanish State.
Born in Vila-seca (Tarragonès), she dreamed of becoming a doctor from a very young age. And yet, at the time, girls don't even finish high school. Determined to get her career off the ground, Maseras obtains all the necessary permits. She even makes a request to King Amadeus I of Savoy (we are in the midst of the Democratic Sexennium, with Isabel II in exile)! She manages to enrol, but they don't let her attend class until after three years. In 1878, with all subjects passed, she became the first woman to officially complete a university degree in Spain. Unfortunately, the continuous obstacles she faces in obtaining her doctorate discourage her greatly and she finally gives up medical practice. Meanwhile, she has passed the Teaching Certificate and will end up working as a teacher.
The Historic Building not only housed the university, but also other higher education institutions such as the School of Architecture. One of the first students who passed through its classrooms was a young man from Reus named Antoni Gaudí. The student wasn't one to get very good grades, but he spent hours and hours in the library. There were beautiful plates with drawings of buildings from all over the world, examples of Greek, Arab, Celtic, Chinese, Indian friezes... And they had photo albums that allowed him to observe even the smallest detail. The university opened a window to the world without the need to leave Barcelona. And for him, who would never be a great traveller, it was fantastic.
It is said that, when in 1878 Elies Rogent — who had become the director of the School — gave him his architect's degree, he murmured: “We have given a title to a madman or a genius, time will tell”.
In 1893, thirty years after the start, the works were completed. The building, imposing and spectacular, has the structure of a neo-Romantic palace. The total budget was 4,047,397.09 pesetas.
The faculties of Sciences, Philosophy and Letters, Pharmacy and Law are now comfortably located in the new University. For its part, the Faculty of Medicine continued at the Hospital de la Santa Creu until 1906, when it moved to the new building annexed to the Hospital Clínic.
It is worth noting that, for a while, and due to the construction work and military occupation, the number of enrolled students has been affected: If in 1878 there had been 2,400, in 1882 the figure dropped to 2,000. From this moment on, therefore, numbers grow again: In 1887, 2,824 students enrolled and, in 1900, the number reached 3,000. And, meanwhile, the Historic Building becomes an icon of the city of Barcelona.
1872
Helena Maseras enrols in the Faculty of Medicine; She is the first female university student in Spain
1875
Foundation of the Provincial School of Architecture of Barcelona, located in the University building
18 de juny de 1881
Inauguration of the bells of the Clock Tower
19 de juny de 1893
Completion of the works on the University of Barcelona building
Students in favour of the republic
Unique history
On 11 February 1873, the First Spanish Republic was proclaimed. Two days later, the publication La Imprenta: Diario de Avisos, Noticias y Decretos prints the following story:
“At this moment, which is twelve o'clock, a very large demonstration of the students of this University enters the Plaza de la Constitución [now Plaça de Sant Jaume] to express their sympathies in favour of the Federal Republic. It is preceded by a banner in which several slogans are written that indicate the predilection of the demonstrators for the federative form. A military band played patriotic tunes as we passed Calle de la Libertad [Carrer Ferran]. [...] The demonstration marched quietly and quietly with the greatest order, with complete calmness and within the limits of legality.”
Elena Maseras
Unique history
The 1872-1873 academic year is different from the rest. For the first time, a woman has enrolled in the Faculty of Medicine. This is Maria Elena Maseras Ribera (1853-1905), the first female university student in the Spanish State.
Born in Vila-seca (Tarragonès), she dreamed of becoming a doctor from a very young age. And yet, at the time, girls don't even finish high school. Determined to get her career off the ground, Maseras obtains all the necessary permits. She even makes a request to King Amadeus I of Savoy (we are in the midst of the Democratic Sexennium, with Isabel II in exile)! She manages to enrol, but they don't let her attend class until after three years. In 1878, with all subjects passed, she became the first woman to officially complete a university degree in Spain. Unfortunately, the continuous obstacles she faces in obtaining her doctorate discourage her greatly and she finally gives up medical practice. Meanwhile, she has passed the Teaching Certificate and will end up working as a teacher.
Gaudí, the genius… mad?
Unique history
The Historic Building not only housed the university, but also other higher education institutions such as the School of Architecture. One of the first students who passed through its classrooms was a young man from Reus named Antoni Gaudí. The student wasn't one to get very good grades, but he spent hours and hours in the library. There were beautiful plates with drawings of buildings from all over the world, examples of Greek, Arab, Celtic, Chinese, Indian friezes... And they had photo albums that allowed him to observe even the smallest detail. The university opened a window to the world without the need to leave Barcelona. And for him, who would never be a great traveller, it was fantastic.
It is said that, when in 1878 Elies Rogent — who had become the director of the School — gave him his architect's degree, he murmured: “We have given a title to a madman or a genius, time will tell”.