Logroño City Council

Logroño City Council (Ayuntamiento de Logroño) is one of the most recognizable public buildings in the capital of La Rioja and a must-see stop for anyone interested in 20th-century architecture.

How to get there?

The building stands close to the old town, a short distance from the banks of the Ebro River, which makes it easy to combine a visit with a walk through the historic center. Getting there on foot is the best option — it's only a few minutes' walk from Plaza del Mercado, where the city's earlier, much older town hall once stood. The surrounding area is well connected to the rest of the city, and the location itself invites visitors to pair the visit with exploring the old town and the riverside promenades.

What will you see?

The current building was designed by Rafael Moneo, one of Spain's most important 20th-century architects and a later Pritzker Prize laureate. The complex consists of two three-story buildings with distinctive geometric shapes — one resembling a set square, the other a protractor — arranged so that together they frame a large public square. The facades facing the plaza run along arcaded, covered walkways, and the entire complex is finished in natural stone, giving it a look that is both raw and elegant. In the northeastern part of the complex sits a piano-shaped building that houses the municipal auditorium.

It's worth paying attention to the openness of the design — Moneo deliberately conceived the city hall as an accessible space woven into the everyday life of residents, rather than an isolated seat of power. That approach reflects the influence of Scandinavian architecture, particularly the work of Gunnar Asplund, which Moneo encountered during his studies in Scandinavia.

History of the building

Until 1980, the seat of the city government was housed in the Chapiteles palace on Portales street, where it had been based since 1865. As municipal services and offices became scattered across the city, Logroño's authorities decided to build a new, consolidated headquarters. In 1973, the mayor invited Rafael Moneo to design a building that would embody the spirit of Spain's renewed democracy after years of dictatorship. Design work continued until 1974, construction began in 1976, and the building was completed and opened between 1980 and 1981.

The new city hall was built on the site of the former Alfonso XII cavalry barracks, partly on land that once belonged to an old Carmelite convent. The choice of plot was deliberate — it allowed the new seat of government to connect with the historic city center and the riverside, effectively bridging the old and new urban fabric of Logroño.

The older, historic town hall on Plaza del Mercado has a much longer history, dating back to 1573, when the city bought houses and land from the chapter of the La Redonda collegiate church, clearing the way for the creation of the city's Plaza Mayor and the construction of public buildings around it.

When to visit?

The city hall and the square around it can be visited year-round — the open, arcaded design means the space looks good regardless of season. Spring and autumn offer the most comfortable temperatures, while morning hours help you avoid crowds and make the most of the light falling on the stone facades. The square in front of the building is also occasionally used for local events and civic ceremonies, so it's worth checking the events calendar before your visit.

Frequently asked questions

Who designed Logroño's city hall? The building was designed by Rafael Moneo, one of Spain's most celebrated architects and a Pritzker Prize laureate, with the design phase carried out between 1973 and 1974.

Can you go inside the city hall? The square and arcades around the building are open to the public and make for a pleasant place to walk, while access to the administrative interiors depends on office hours and the purpose of the visit.

Where was the city hall located before? Until 1980, the city government was based in the Chapiteles palace on Portales street, while the oldest town hall site is linked to Plaza del Mercado and dates back to the 16th century.

What stands out about the building's architecture? Two triangular buildings shaped like a set square and a protractor, covered arcades, natural stone finishes, and a piano-shaped auditorium building — all designed as an open, public space.