UNESCO, together with the International Architectural Association, declared Barcelona the world capital of architecture in 2026. This recognition confirms the obligation of the city to promote the values of architecture, urban planning and sustainable development.
For ten months, from the Santa Eluàlia festival in February to Santa Llucia in December 2026, the city plans to take a wide range of public involvement measures. Among them will be exhibitions, architectural routes, workshops, installations, conferences and open days to cultural monuments. Both local and international organizations are invited to the events.
One of the key events will be the World Congress of Architecture.
These measures, together with the planned program, are aimed at demonstrating Barcelona as an application city that implements the principles of inclusion and stability in the urban environment. UNESCO World Heritage Sites are planned to be illuminated during the opening and closure of the whole city.
Barcelona slogan as the world capital of architecture - "One today, one tomorrow". The city also plans a number of transformational events in all its areas and become a laboratory that analyzes the potential of architecture to change reality over time.
Barcelona will become the third city that has received the status of the World Architecture capital after Copenhagen and Rio de Janeiro.
