Virreina Palace, one of the most beautiful buildings in the “flower” section of La Rambla boulevard, was built at the end of the 18th century especially for the Viceroy of Peru, Manuel de Amat. Being a wealthy man with a refined sense of beauty, the nobleman decided to build a luxurious residence for himself and his wife on Rambla de les Flores. In keeping with the fashion of the time, the exterior was designed in the French Baroque style with elements of classicism, while the interior was created in the spirit of cheerful and carefree Rococo.
Behind the majestic facade lie lavish halls richly decorated with stucco, draperies, carved details, and, of course, works of art. Especially beautiful are the dining room with vaulted ceilings and the elegant inner courtyard.
Unfortunately, the Peruvian viceroy did not live to see the end of the large-scale construction. The mansion became home to the widow with the hard-to-pronounce name Maria Francisca Fivaller i Blu, and soon this house came to be known as the Palace of the Viceroy's Wife.
Today it houses the city department of culture and an exhibition center where works by contemporary Spanish and Catalan artists are permanently displayed. On the ground floor there is an exhibition of the Museum of Decorative Arts.
