Terrassa town hall

Terrassa town hall is the seat of local government in Terrassa, a city in Catalonia's Barcelona region. Standing on Raval de Montserrat, it has served as the administrative heart of the city for more than a century and remains one of its architectural landmarks.

What does the building look like?

The current town hall replaced an earlier building, Casa Galí, which was demolished to make way for the new project. The design came from architect Lluís Muncunill, best known for his industrial architecture across Terrassa, with construction carried out around the turn of the 20th century. A second floor was later added following plans by architect Antoni Pascual i Carretero, giving the building a layered design history that is still visible today. The façade blends historicist, neo-Gothic-influenced elements with the kind of civic architecture typical of Catalonia at the time — stone ornamentation, a symmetrical arrangement of windows, and a formal main entrance.

What stands out inside?

One of the most distinctive features inside is the monumental staircase, added decades after the main structure was completed, during the 1940s. This later addition gave the interior a more ceremonial character befitting the building's role as the seat of municipal government. As a result, the town hall's interior reflects two different periods: the elegant early-20th-century shell and a mid-century staircase designed to match its civic function.

What is the history behind it?

The building was inaugurated during the city's Festa Major celebrations in the early 20th century, tying it from the outset to local tradition and civic identity. Before its construction, municipal life in Terrassa revolved around a different location: for centuries, town councils and public assemblies met under the porch of the Sant Fruitós church, on the site of what is now Plaça Vella, the city's oldest and most symbolic square. Moving the administration to a new, more imposing building reflected Terrassa's growing importance as a leading industrial city within the Barcelona region.

Why is it worth seeing?

For visitors, the town hall is a useful starting point for understanding how Terrassa developed during its industrial boom. At the time, the city was one of Catalonia's main textile manufacturing centres, and grand public buildings — much like the numerous factories Muncunill designed — were meant to reflect the ambition and prosperity of the local bourgeoisie. A visit to the area pairs well with a stop at nearby Plaça Vella, where markets, festivals and public gatherings have taken place since medieval times.

Frequently asked questions

Who designed Terrassa's town hall? The main building was designed by architect Lluís Muncunill, while the second floor followed a later design by Antoni Pascual i Carretero.

When was the current building constructed? It was built around the turn of the 20th century on the site of the former Casa Galí, and formally inaugurated during the city's Festa Major celebrations.

What is inside the town hall? Its most notable interior feature is a monumental staircase, added in the 1940s, well after the main building had been completed.

Is the town hall located on Plaça Vella? No — the building stands on Raval de Montserrat. Historically, though, the city's administrative life was centred on Plaça Vella, Terrassa's oldest square.

Can visitors go inside? As an active seat of local government, the building isn't set up as a typical tourist attraction, but its façade and surroundings can be admired while walking through Terrassa's historic centre.