The Real Academia de Ciencias y Artes de Barcelona is a historic scientific institution dedicated to the promotion and sharing of knowledge. Located on La Rambla, the building by Josep Domènech i Estapà is known for its iconic clock tower, which once regulated the city’s official time. Inside, it houses an extensive library with thousands of volumes and continues to host lectures and specialist events that keep its scientific activity alive.
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The main hall’s 1869 astronomical clock does more than tell the time: it shows the positions of the Earth, Moon, Sun and several planets up to 2029.
The 1839 daguerreotype camera used to take the first photograph in Spain is also preserved here.
Guided tours are organised to visit the interior and discover the Assembly Hall, the Clock Room and the Instrument Room.
In 1923, Albert Einstein gave a lecture here, briefly bringing some of the most groundbreaking physics of the 20th century into this very room.
