[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#f5efd7″ custom_padding=”||87px|||” custom_padding_tablet=”||42px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”||42px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding_tablet=”10px||0px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”10px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”|||on|||||” header_text_align=”center” header_font_size=”77px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ use_custom_gutter=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” width_tablet=”” width_phone=”80%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” max_width=”1250px” max_width_tablet=”” max_width_phone=”80%” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding_tablet=”15px||||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”30px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”Alternate Gothic|||on|||||” header_2_text_align=”right” header_2_font_size=”47px” header_2_text_align_tablet=”center” header_2_text_align_phone=”center” header_2_text_align_last_edited=”on|phone” header_2_font_size_tablet=”47px” header_2_font_size_phone=”40px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”20px” text_line_height=”1.4em” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
On 20 May 1888, Queen Regent Maria Cristina officially inaugurated the Barcelona Universal Exposition. Throughout the 19th century, Catalonia underwent industrialisation, and the Barcelona area became a region of European economic significance, as well as the industrial powerhouse of the Spanish state. At that time, the city had half a million inhabitants, had demolished its old medieval walls, and was proudly unveiling the new Eixample district. With that Universal Exposition, Barcelona presented itself to the world for the first time as a modern, wealthy, and enterprising society. <\/p>\n
The exhibition was an unprecedented success for the city \u2014 and especially for the bourgeoisie that had grown rich during those years which Narc\u00eds Oller referred to as \u201cla febre d\u2019or\u201d \u2014 the gold fever.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”rgba(246,245,232,0.45)” custom_padding=”119px||77px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”12px||30px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”0px||||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”off|desktop” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”90%” width_tablet=”” width_phone=”100%” width_last_edited=”on|tablet” max_width=”1700px” max_width_tablet=”1700px” max_width_phone=”100%” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin_last_edited=”off|desktop” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][dipl_hero_slider content_valign=”flex-start” slider_loop=”on” autoplay_speed=”5000″ slide_transition_duration=”1250″ show_arrow=”on” previous_slide_arrow=”D||divi||400″ next_slide_arrow=”E||divi||400″ content_box_custom_margin=”0px||||false|on” image_video_width_enable=”on” image_video_width=”60%” image_video_wrap_custom_padding=”|0px||0px|on|on” slider_container_custom_padding=”|15px|0px|15px|false|true” arrows_custom_padding=”5px|0px|5px|0px|true|true” arrow_font_size=”30px” arrow_color=”#000000″ content_position_tablet=”” content_position_phone=”” content_position_last_edited=”on|phone” arrows_position_tablet=”outside” arrows_position_phone=”top_center” arrows_position_last_edited=”on|phone” content_box_custom_padding_tablet=”|0px||0px|true|true” content_box_custom_padding_phone=”0px|0px||0px|false|true” content_box_custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” image_video_width_tablet=”100%” image_video_width_phone=”100%” image_video_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” slider_container_custom_padding_tablet=”|5px|0px|5px|false|true” slider_container_custom_padding_phone=”0px||||false|true” slider_container_custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” arrows_custom_padding_tablet=”5px|0px|5px|0px|true|true” arrows_custom_padding_phone=”45px||0px||false|true” arrows_custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”|0px|0px|0px|false|true” custom_padding_tablet=”|15px|0px|15px|false|true” custom_padding_phone=”0px||||false|true” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” title_font_size_tablet=”” title_font_size_phone=”” title_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_main_element=”||” custom_css_free_form=”||” global_colors_info=”{}”][dipl_hero_slider_item title=”the Barcelona Universal Exposition” image=”https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/foto-5.jpg” content_box_bg_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ title_font=”Alternate Gothic|||on|||||” title_font_size=”37px” title_line_height=”1.3em” content_text_font_size=”20px” content_text_line_height=”1.3em” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”15px||||false|true” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” title_font_size_tablet=”37px” title_font_size_phone=”37px” title_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” title_line_height_tablet=”1.3em” title_line_height_phone=”1em” title_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” subtitle_font_size_tablet=”” subtitle_font_size_phone=”” subtitle_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” content_text_font_size_tablet=”20px” content_text_font_size_phone=”18px” content_text_font_size_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Opening ceremony of the 1888 Barcelona Universal Exposition.<\/p>\n
Author unknown<\/p>\n
[\/dipl_hero_slider_item][dipl_hero_slider_item title=”19th-Century Barcelona” image=”https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/web_bcn010540.jpg” content_box_bg_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ title_font=”Alternate Gothic|||on|||||” title_font_size=”37px” title_line_height=”1.3em” content_text_font_size=”20px” content_text_line_height=”1.3em” custom_padding=”15px|30px|30px|30px|false|on” title_line_height_tablet=”1.3em” title_line_height_phone=”1em” title_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” content_text_font_size_tablet=”20px” content_text_font_size_phone=”18px” content_text_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Festival at the Parc de la Ciutadella.<\/p>\n
Frederic Ballell, 1903<\/p>\n
AFB<\/p>\n
[\/dipl_hero_slider_item][dipl_hero_slider_item title=”the Barcelona Universal Exposition” image=”https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/web_foto-7.jpg” content_box_bg_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ title_font=”Alternate Gothic|||on|||||” title_font_size=”37px” title_line_height=”1.3em” content_text_font_size=”20px” content_text_line_height=”1.3em” custom_padding=”15px|30px|30px|30px|false|on” title_line_height_tablet=”1.3em” title_line_height_phone=”1em” title_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” content_text_font_size_tablet=”20px” content_text_font_size_phone=”18px” content_text_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Gate of the 1888 Barcelona Universal Exposition. Ciutadella Park. <\/p>\n
Author unknown<\/p>\n
AFB<\/p>\n
[\/dipl_hero_slider_item][dipl_hero_slider_item title=”the Barcelona Universal Exposition” image=”https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/web_foto-8.jpg” content_box_bg_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ title_font=”Alternate Gothic|||on|||||” title_font_size=”37px” title_line_height=”1.3em” content_text_font_size=”20px” content_text_line_height=”1.3em” custom_padding=”15px|30px|30px|30px|false|on” title_line_height_tablet=”1.3em” title_line_height_phone=”1em” title_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” content_text_font_size_tablet=”20px” content_text_font_size_phone=”18px” content_text_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Arc de Triomf, constructed to celebrate the 1888 Barcelona Universal Exposition.<\/p>\n
Author unknown<\/p>\n
AFB<\/p>\n
[\/dipl_hero_slider_item][dipl_hero_slider_item title=”the Barcelona Universal Exposition” image=”https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/web_Foto-9.jpg” content_box_bg_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ title_font=”Alternate Gothic|||on|||||” title_font_size=”37px” title_line_height=”1.3em” content_text_font_size=”20px” content_text_line_height=”1.3em” custom_padding=”15px|30px|30px|30px|false|on” title_line_height_tablet=”1.3em” title_line_height_phone=”1em” title_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” content_text_font_size_tablet=”20px” content_text_font_size_phone=”18px” content_text_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Columbus Monument, erected for the 1888 Barcelona Universal Exposition.<\/p>\n
Josep Esplugas Puig<\/p>\n
MMB<\/p>\n
[\/dipl_hero_slider_item][dipl_hero_slider_item title=”19th-Century Barcelona” image=”https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/web_foto-10.jpg” content_box_bg_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ title_font=”Alternate Gothic|||on|||||” title_font_size=”37px” title_line_height=”1.3em” content_text_font_size=”20px” content_text_line_height=”1.3em” custom_padding=”15px|30px|30px|30px|false|on” title_line_height_tablet=”1.3em” title_line_height_phone=”1em” title_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” content_text_font_size_tablet=”20px” content_text_font_size_phone=”18px” content_text_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Rambla dels Caputxins<\/p>\n
Frederic Ballell, ca. 1888<\/p>\n
AFB<\/p>\n
[\/dipl_hero_slider_item][dipl_hero_slider_item title=”19th-Century Barcelona” image=”https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/web_foto-14.jpg” content_box_bg_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ title_font=”Alternate Gothic|||on|||||” title_font_size=”37px” title_line_height=”1.3em” content_text_font_size=”20px” content_text_line_height=”1.3em” custom_padding=”15px|30px|30px|30px|false|on” title_line_height_tablet=”1.3em” title_line_height_phone=”1em” title_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” content_text_font_size_tablet=”20px” content_text_font_size_phone=”18px” content_text_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Barcelona children parade time.<\/p>\n
Frederic Ballell, 1911<\/p>\n
AFB<\/p>\n
[\/dipl_hero_slider_item][dipl_hero_slider_item title=”19th-Century Barcelona” image=”https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/web_Foto-17.jpg” content_box_bg_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ title_font=”Alternate Gothic|||on|||||” title_font_size=”37px” title_line_height=”1.3em” content_text_font_size=”20px” content_text_line_height=”1.3em” custom_padding=”15px|30px|30px|30px|false|on” title_line_height_tablet=”1.3em” title_line_height_phone=”1em” title_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” content_text_font_size_tablet=”20px” content_text_font_size_phone=”18px” content_text_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Paseo de Col\u00f3n and Gran Hotel Internacional, 1888.<\/p>\n
Author unknown<\/p>\n
AFB<\/p>\n
[\/dipl_hero_slider_item][dipl_hero_slider_item title=”19th-Century Barcelona” image=”https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/web_foto-18.jpg” content_box_bg_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ title_font=”Alternate Gothic|||on|||||” title_font_size=”37px” title_line_height=”1.3em” content_text_font_size=”20px” content_text_line_height=”1.3em” custom_padding=”15px|30px|30px|30px|false|on” title_line_height_tablet=”1.3em” title_line_height_phone=”1em” title_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” content_text_font_size_tablet=”20px” content_text_font_size_phone=”18px” content_text_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Barcelona’s busy Passeig de Gr\u00e0cia.<\/p>\n
\u00c0ngel Toldr\u00e0 Viazo, editor, early 20th century<\/p>\n
AFB<\/p>\n
[\/dipl_hero_slider_item][dipl_hero_slider_item title=”19th-Century Barcelona” image=”https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/web_foto-19.jpg” content_box_bg_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ title_font=”Alternate Gothic|||on|||||” title_font_size=”37px” title_line_height=”1.3em” content_text_font_size=”20px” content_text_line_height=”1.3em” custom_padding=”15px|30px|30px|30px|false|on” title_line_height_tablet=”1.3em” title_line_height_phone=”1em” title_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” content_text_font_size_tablet=”20px” content_text_font_size_phone=”18px” content_text_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Passeig de Colom in Barcelona.<\/p>\n
Josep Esplugas Puig, 1888<\/p>\n
AFB<\/p>\n
[\/dipl_hero_slider_item][dipl_hero_slider_item title=”19th-Century Barcelona” image=”https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/web_foto-20.jpg” content_box_bg_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ title_font=”Alternate Gothic|||on|||||” title_font_size=”37px” title_line_height=”1.3em” content_text_font_size=”20px” content_text_line_height=”1.3em” custom_padding=”15px|30px|30px|30px|false|on” title_line_height_tablet=”1.3em” title_line_height_phone=”1em” title_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” content_text_font_size_tablet=”20px” content_text_font_size_phone=”18px” content_text_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Great Teatre del Liceu<\/p>\n
Antoni Esplugas Puig, ca. 1880-1889<\/p>\n
AFB<\/p>\n
[\/dipl_hero_slider_item][dipl_hero_slider_item title=”19th-Century Barcelona” image=”https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/web_foto-22.jpg” content_box_bg_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ title_font=”Alternate Gothic|||on|||||” title_font_size=”37px” title_line_height=”1.3em” content_text_font_size=”20px” content_text_line_height=”1.3em” custom_padding=”15px|30px|30px|30px|false|on” title_line_height_tablet=”1.3em” title_line_height_phone=”1em” title_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” content_text_font_size_tablet=”20px” content_text_font_size_phone=”18px” content_text_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Passeig de Sant Joan and Arc de Triomf in the background.<\/p>\n
Josep Esplugas Puig, ca. 1880-1889<\/p>\n
AFB<\/p>\n
[\/dipl_hero_slider_item][\/dipl_hero_slider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#f5efd7″ custom_padding=”82px||58px|||” custom_padding_tablet=”38px||35px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”38px||35px||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” width_tablet=”auto” width_phone=”80%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” max_width=”720px” max_width_tablet=”none” max_width_phone=”80%” max_width_last_edited=”on|tablet” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”|auto|35px|auto||” custom_margin_tablet=”||0px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”||0px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”20px” text_line_height=”1.5em” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
But what if we took a closer look?<\/strong><\/span> [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,1_4,1_4,1_4″ use_custom_gutter=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” width_tablet=”auto” width_phone=”80%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” max_width=”1250px” max_width_tablet=”none” max_width_phone=”80%” max_width_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/francesc-rius-i-taulet.jpg” title_text=”francesc-rius-i-taulet” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||22px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_4_font=”–et_global_body_font|500|||||||” header_4_font_size=”23px” header_4_line_height=”1.2em” custom_margin=”||9px|||” header_4_font_size_tablet=”23px” header_4_font_size_phone=”22px” header_4_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_4_letter_spacing_tablet=”” header_4_letter_spacing_phone=”” header_4_letter_spacing_last_edited=”on|desktop” header_4_line_height_tablet=”1.2em” header_4_line_height_phone=”1.2em” header_4_line_height_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”20px” text_line_height=”1.3em” custom_margin_tablet=”||30px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”||30px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” text_font_size_tablet=”20px” text_font_size_phone=”18px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” text_letter_spacing_tablet=”” text_letter_spacing_phone=”” text_letter_spacing_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_line_height_tablet=”1.3em” text_line_height_phone=”1.3em” text_line_height_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n A politician and lawyer who served as mayor of Barcelona on four occasions between 1872 and 1889. He was the driving force behind the 1888 Universal Exposition and the urban reforms that followed. <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/elies-rogent.jpg” title_text=”elies-rogent” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||22px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_4_font=”–et_global_body_font|500|||||||” header_4_font_size=”23px” header_4_line_height=”1.2em” custom_margin=”||9px|||” header_4_font_size_tablet=”23px” header_4_font_size_phone=”22px” header_4_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_4_letter_spacing_tablet=”” header_4_letter_spacing_phone=”” header_4_letter_spacing_last_edited=”on|desktop” header_4_line_height_tablet=”1.2em” header_4_line_height_phone=”1.2em” header_4_line_height_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”20px” text_line_height=”1.3em” custom_margin_tablet=”||30px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”||30px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” text_font_size_tablet=”20px” text_font_size_phone=”18px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” text_letter_spacing_tablet=”” text_letter_spacing_phone=”” text_letter_spacing_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_line_height_tablet=”1.3em” text_line_height_phone=”1.3em” text_line_height_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]An architect who worked mainly in Barcelona, where he also served as municipal architect and director of works for the 1888 Exposition[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/carles-pirozzini.jpg” title_text=”carles-pirozzini” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||22px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_4_font=”–et_global_body_font|500|||||||” header_4_font_size=”23px” header_4_line_height=”1.2em” custom_margin=”||9px|||” header_4_font_size_tablet=”23px” header_4_font_size_phone=”22px” header_4_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_4_letter_spacing_tablet=”” header_4_letter_spacing_phone=”” header_4_letter_spacing_last_edited=”on|desktop” header_4_line_height_tablet=”1.2em” header_4_line_height_phone=”1.2em” header_4_line_height_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”20px” text_line_height=”1.3em” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”||30px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” text_font_size_tablet=”20px” text_font_size_phone=”18px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” text_letter_spacing_tablet=”” text_letter_spacing_phone=”” text_letter_spacing_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_line_height_tablet=”1.3em” text_line_height_phone=”1.3em” text_line_height_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]Also a collector and writer, he was appointed general secretary of the 1888 Exposition and, once it ended, oversaw the conversion of surviving exhibition halls into museums.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/lluis-ruviere.jpg” title_text=”lluis-ruviere” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||22px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_4_font=”–et_global_body_font|500|||||||” header_4_font_size=”23px” header_4_line_height=”1.2em” custom_margin=”||9px|||” header_4_font_size_tablet=”23px” header_4_font_size_phone=”22px” header_4_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_4_letter_spacing_tablet=”” header_4_letter_spacing_phone=”” header_4_letter_spacing_last_edited=”on|desktop” header_4_line_height_tablet=”1.2em” header_4_line_height_phone=”1.2em” header_4_line_height_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”20px” text_line_height=”1.3em” text_font_size_tablet=”20px” text_font_size_phone=”18px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” text_letter_spacing_tablet=”” text_letter_spacing_phone=”” text_letter_spacing_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_line_height_tablet=”1.3em” text_line_height_phone=”1.3em” text_line_height_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]Manager of the Compa\u00f1\u00eda Trasatl\u00e1ntica (Transatlantic Company of Spain), founded in 1881 by Antonio L\u00f3pez y L\u00f3pez, who was linked to the trafficking of enslaved people.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,1_4,1_4,1_4″ use_custom_gutter=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” width_tablet=”auto” width_phone=”80%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” max_width=”1250px” max_width_tablet=”none” max_width_phone=”80%” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_margin=”|auto|44px|auto||” custom_margin_tablet=”||24px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”||6px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/manuel-girona.jpg” title_text=”manuel-girona” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||22px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_4_font=”–et_global_body_font|500|||||||” header_4_font_size=”23px” header_4_line_height=”1.2em” custom_margin=”||9px|||” header_4_font_size_tablet=”23px” header_4_font_size_phone=”22px” header_4_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_4_letter_spacing_tablet=”” header_4_letter_spacing_phone=”” header_4_letter_spacing_last_edited=”on|desktop” header_4_line_height_tablet=”1.2em” header_4_line_height_phone=”1.2em” header_4_line_height_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”20px” text_line_height=”1.3em” custom_margin_tablet=”||30px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”||30px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” text_font_size_tablet=”20px” text_font_size_phone=”18px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” text_letter_spacing_tablet=”” text_letter_spacing_phone=”” text_letter_spacing_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_line_height_tablet=”1.3em” text_line_height_phone=”1.3em” text_line_height_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]Founder of the Banc de Barcelona (Bank of Barcelona), the Banc Hispano Colonial (Hispano-Colonial Bank), and the Companyia General de Tabacs de Filipines (General Tobacco Company of the Philippines), together with Antonio L\u00f3pez y L\u00f3pez. He was married to Carolina Vidal-Quadras, daughter of indiano Manuel Vidal-Quadras \u2014 a colonial returnee who had owned dozens of enslaved people in Cuba.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/manuel-duran.jpg” title_text=”manuel-duran” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||22px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_4_font=”–et_global_body_font|500|||||||” header_4_font_size=”23px” header_4_line_height=”1.2em” custom_margin=”||9px|||” header_4_font_size_tablet=”23px” header_4_font_size_phone=”22px” header_4_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_4_letter_spacing_tablet=”” header_4_letter_spacing_phone=”” header_4_letter_spacing_last_edited=”on|desktop” header_4_line_height_tablet=”1.2em” header_4_line_height_phone=”1.2em” header_4_line_height_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”20px” text_line_height=”1.3em” custom_margin_tablet=”||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”||30px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” text_font_size_tablet=”20px” text_font_size_phone=”18px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” text_letter_spacing_tablet=”” text_letter_spacing_phone=”” text_letter_spacing_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_line_height_tablet=”1.3em” text_line_height_phone=”1.3em” text_line_height_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]A jurist, professor at the University of Barcelona, and secretary to the City Council. He presided over institutions such as the Ateneu Barcelon\u00e8s and the Acad\u00e8mia de Bones Lletres (Academy of the Good Writings).[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/josep-ferrer.jpg” title_text=”josep-ferrer” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||22px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_4_font=”–et_global_body_font|500|||||||” header_4_font_size=”23px” header_4_line_height=”1.2em” custom_margin=”||9px|||” header_4_font_size_tablet=”23px” header_4_font_size_phone=”22px” header_4_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_4_letter_spacing_tablet=”” header_4_letter_spacing_phone=”” header_4_letter_spacing_last_edited=”on|desktop” header_4_line_height_tablet=”1.2em” header_4_line_height_phone=”1.2em” header_4_line_height_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”20px” text_line_height=”1.3em” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”||30px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” text_font_size_tablet=”20px” text_font_size_phone=”18px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” text_letter_spacing_tablet=”” text_letter_spacing_phone=”” text_letter_spacing_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_line_height_tablet=”1.3em” text_line_height_phone=”1.3em” text_line_height_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]Founder of the Institut del Foment del Treball Nacional and the Caixa de Pensions. He was married to Concepci\u00f3 Soler i Serra \u2014 daughter of indiano Pau Soler i Roig. His uncle, Josep Ferrer Roig, had been captain of ships that took part in the slave trade[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/claudi-lopez.jpg” title_text=”claudi-lopez” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||22px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_4_font=”–et_global_body_font|500|||||||” header_4_font_size=”23px” header_4_line_height=”1.2em” custom_margin=”||9px|||” header_4_font_size_tablet=”23px” header_4_font_size_phone=”22px” header_4_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_4_letter_spacing_tablet=”” header_4_letter_spacing_phone=”” header_4_letter_spacing_last_edited=”on|desktop” header_4_line_height_tablet=”1.2em” header_4_line_height_phone=”1.2em” header_4_line_height_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”20px” text_line_height=”1.3em” text_font_size_tablet=”20px” text_font_size_phone=”18px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” text_letter_spacing_tablet=”” text_letter_spacing_phone=”” text_letter_spacing_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_line_height_tablet=”1.3em” text_line_height_phone=”1.3em” text_line_height_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]Son of the shipowner, trader, and colonial businessman Antonio L\u00f3pez y L\u00f3pez, the first Marquess of Comillas, who was involved in the trafficking of enslaved Africans.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”rgba(246,245,232,0.45)” custom_padding=”136px|||||” custom_padding_tablet=”86px||||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”46px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ use_custom_gutter=”on” make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” width_tablet=”70%” width_phone=”80%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” max_width=”1250px” max_width_tablet=”1250px” max_width_phone=”80%” max_width_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_margin=”|auto|68px|auto|false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”|auto|70px|auto|false|false” custom_margin_phone=”||50px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/escultura-colom-web.jpg” alt=”Sculpture of Christopher Columbus” title_text=”escultura-colom-web” show_in_lightbox=”on” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||18px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||on||||||” text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”1.4em” custom_margin_tablet=”||0px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”||0px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Escultura de Crist\u00f2fol Colom. Rafael Atch\u00e9 Farr\u00e9, 1883. MMB<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_css_main_element=”display: flex;||flex-direction: column;||justify-content: center;” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”20px” text_line_height=”1.3em” custom_margin_tablet=”0px||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”0px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” text_font_size_tablet=”20px” text_font_size_phone=”18px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” text_letter_spacing_tablet=”” text_letter_spacing_phone=”” text_letter_spacing_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_line_height_tablet=”1.3em” text_line_height_phone=”1.3em” text_line_height_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The Columbus monument was built to mark the 1888 Barcelona Universal Exposition.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ use_custom_gutter=”on” make_equal=”on” module_class=”fila-invertida” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” width_tablet=”70%” width_phone=”80%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” max_width=”1250px” max_width_tablet=”1250px” max_width_phone=”80%” max_width_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_margin=”|auto|143px|auto|false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”||70px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”||50px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding=”6px||4px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_css_main_element=”display: flex;||flex-direction: column;||justify-content: center;” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”20px” text_line_height=”1.3em” text_font_size_tablet=”20px” text_font_size_phone=”18px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” text_letter_spacing_tablet=”” text_letter_spacing_phone=”” text_letter_spacing_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_line_height_tablet=”1.3em” text_line_height_phone=”1.3em” text_line_height_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]Even the royal family had ties to the enslaved people trade. Queen Regent Maria Cristina was the widow of Alfonso XII, grandson of Queen Maria Cristina of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, who had enriched herself through the Atlantic slave trade in the 1840s[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/regent-maria-cristina-fill-alfons-xiii.jpg” alt=”Photo frame Portrait Regent Maria Cristina with her son Alfonso XIII. MMB Collection ” title_text=”regent-maria-cristina-fill-alfons-xiii” show_in_lightbox=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||18px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||on||||||” text_font_size=”18px” text_letter_spacing=”0.4px” text_line_height=”1.4em” custom_margin_tablet=”||30px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”||30px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”]Portrait of Queen Regent Maria Cristina with her son Alfonso XIII. Federico Godoy Castro, 1891. MMB[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_4,1_4″ use_custom_gutter=”on” make_equal=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” width_tablet=”70%” width_phone=”80%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” max_width=”1250px” max_width_tablet=”1250px” max_width_phone=”80%” max_width_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_margin=”|auto|125px|auto|false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”||70px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”||50px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”10px||||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”5px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/port-de-barcelona.jpg” alt=”The Port of Barcelona with the European fleet anchored for the 1888 Barcelona Universal Exposition” title_text=”port-de-barcelona” show_in_lightbox=”on” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||18px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||on||||||” text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”1.4em” global_colors_info=”{}”]Emili Sivill\u00e0 Torres, 1888. MMB.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_css_main_element=”display: flex;||flex-direction: column;||justify-content: center;” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”20px” text_line_height=”1.3em” text_font_size_tablet=”20px” text_font_size_phone=”18px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” text_letter_spacing_tablet=”” text_letter_spacing_phone=”” text_letter_spacing_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_line_height_tablet=”1.3em” text_line_height_phone=”1.3em” text_line_height_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]The Port of Barcelona with the European fleet anchored for the 1888 Barcelona Universal Exposition.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ make_equal=”on” module_class=”fila-invertida” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” width_tablet=”70%” width_phone=”80%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” max_width=”1250px” max_width_tablet=”1250px” max_width_phone=”80%” max_width_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_margin=”|auto|127px|auto|false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”0px|auto|70px|auto|false|false” custom_margin_phone=”||50px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”10px||4px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_css_main_element=”display: flex;||flex-direction: column;||justify-content: center;” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”20px” text_line_height=”1.3em” hover_enabled=”0″ text_font_size_tablet=”20px” text_font_size_phone=”18px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” text_letter_spacing_tablet=”” text_letter_spacing_phone=”” text_letter_spacing_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_line_height_tablet=”1.3em” text_line_height_phone=”1.3em” text_line_height_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]Panoramic view of Barcelona and the assembled squadrons, taken on the occasion of the Universal Exhibition of 1888[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/vista-panoramica-barcelona.jpg” alt=”Panoramic view of Barcelona and the assembled squads” title_text=”vista-panoramica-barcelona” show_in_lightbox=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||18px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||on||||||” text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”1.4em” custom_margin_tablet=”||30px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”||30px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]Chromolithograph by Jos\u00e9 M\u00aa Mateu, made from the original painting by Antonio de Caula, ca. 1888. MMB.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” width_tablet=”70%” width_phone=”80%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” max_width=”1250px” max_width_tablet=”1250px” max_width_phone=”80%” max_width_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_margin=”|auto|87px|auto|false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”||26px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”||0px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”6px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_css_main_element=”display: flex;||flex-direction: column;||justify-content: center;” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/expo-bcn_1888_web.jpg” alt=”Original poster of the 1888 Barcelona Universal Exposition” title_text=”expo bcn_1888_web” show_in_lightbox=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||18px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||on||||||” text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”1.4em” global_colors_info=”{}”]MMB[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_css_main_element=”display: flex;||flex-direction: column;||justify-content: center;” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”20px” text_line_height=”1.3em” text_font_size_tablet=”20px” text_font_size_phone=”18px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” text_letter_spacing_tablet=”” text_letter_spacing_phone=”” text_letter_spacing_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_line_height_tablet=”1.3em” text_line_height_phone=”1.3em” text_line_height_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]Original poster of the 1888 Barcelona Universal Exposition.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#f5efd7″ custom_padding=”71px||40px|||” custom_padding_tablet=”62px||39px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”43px||9px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” width_tablet=”70%” width_phone=”80%” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”720px” max_width_tablet=”720px” max_width_phone=”80%” max_width_last_edited=”on|tablet” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”|auto|40px|auto||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”20px” text_line_height=”1.4em” custom_margin=”||35px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n After the Universal Exposition ended, several public facilities were installed in the Parc de la Ciutadella. At the time, the most emblematic of these was the Zoological Park, inaugurated in 1892. But even these facilities, seen up close, raise certain questions: their origins lay in the exotic animal collection of the Granja Mart\u00ed Codolar \u2014 a property Joaquim Mart\u00ed Codolar had inherited from his uncle, Isidre Inglada Marqu\u00e8s, who was also connected to the slave trade. <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|600|||||||” text_font_size=”20px” text_line_height=”1.4em” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n In 1888, the year of the Universal Exposition, slavery had already been abolished in all the American colonies. But it had left behind a trail of enormous profits, which were reinvested in Europe\u2019s major cities. And in Barcelona? <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ module_class=”nav-prev-home-next” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” max_width=”77px” max_width_tablet=”141px” max_width_phone=”111px” max_width_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_margin=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/home.png” title_text=”home” url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wYWdlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjEwIn19@” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _dynamic_attributes=”url” _module_preset=”default” height=”25px” height_tablet=”30px” height_phone=”25px” height_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}” filter_opacity__hover_enabled=”on|hover” filter_opacity__hover=”36%”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/seguent.png” title_text=”next” url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wYWdlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjE4In19@” align=”right” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _dynamic_attributes=”url” _module_preset=”default” height=”25px” height_tablet=”30px” height_phone=”25px” height_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}” filter_opacity__hover_enabled=”on|hover” filter_opacity__hover=”36%”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 19th-Century BarcelonaBarcelona, 1888. The Universal Exposition is inaugurated On 20 May 1888, Queen Regent Maria Cristina officially inaugurated the Barcelona Universal Exposition. Throughout the 19th century, Catalonia underwent industrialisation, and the Barcelona area became a region of European economic significance, as well as the industrial powerhouse of the Spanish state. At that time, the city […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-24223","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/24223","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24223"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/24223\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24850,"href":"https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/24223\/revisions\/24850"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24223"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
What lay behind that modern, enterprising society that presented itself to the world at the 1888 Universal Exposition? Let\u2019s look, for instance, at the Exposition\u2019s organising committee, known as \u201cthe committee of eight\u201d: <\/p>\nFrancesc Rius i Taulet,
mayor<\/h4>\nElies Rogent Amat,
director of works<\/h4>\nCarles Pirozzini,
museographer and art critic<\/h4>\nLlu\u00eds Ruviere i Bula,
engineer<\/h4>\nManuel Girona i Agrafel,
banker<\/h4>\nManuel Duran i Bas,
lawyer and politician<\/h4>\nJosep Ferrer i Vidal,
businessman<\/h4>\nClaudi L\u00f3pez Bru,
Marquess of Comillas<\/h4>\n