The Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (CCCB) is a multidisciplinary institution in Raval hosting exhibitions, debates, festivals, concerts, films, courses and workshops. Rather than being a static museum, the CCCB is a living, ever-evolving hub of cultural experimentation, rooted in the themes of city life, public space, and contemporary society.
Origins and Mission
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The CCCB was conceived in 1989 by a public consortium comprising the Diputació de Barcelona (provincial council) and the Barcelona City Council, with the aim of creating a cultural facility devoted to contemporary thinking and urban life. It officially opened its doors on 25 February 1994.
From the start, CCCB’s programming has been intentionally fluid. It does not maintain a permanent collection; instead, it curates temporary exhibitions and events that engage with pressing cultural, social, technological, and urban questions. Its ambition is to act as a bridge between academia, creative disciplines, and the general public, offering spaces for discourse, participation, and experimentation.
Architecture & Building
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One of the most striking aspects of the CCCB is its architecture, which combines historic heritage with bold contemporary design. The centre is housed within the former Casa de la Caritat (House of Charity), originally built in 1802 and functioning as a social welfare institution until 1957. In the early 1990s, architects Helio Piñón and Albert Viaplana transformed the site, introducing a dramatic prism-like glass structure that projects over the historic courtyard. This reflective façade frames views of the city and creates a visual link between interior and exterior. The design won both the FAD and Ciutat de Barcelona prizes in 1993.
In 2011, the centre expanded to incorporate an old theatre built in 1912 by Josep Goday i Casals, connected by subterranean links to the existing building. Today, the CCCB covers around 15,000 square meters, with 4,000 square meters dedicated to exhibition halls, along with lecture rooms, an auditorium, a bookstore, multipurpose spaces, and a multimedia archive.
Exhibitions and Programs
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The CCCB’s vitality lies in its varied programming. Its exhibitions often focus on themes such as urban life, memory, identity, technology, migration, and social change. The 2025 program, for example, includes a major exhibition dedicated to the Catalan novelist Mercè Rodoreda, as well as Dibujar es pensar (Drawing is Thinking), centered on the work of renowned cartoonist Chris Ware. The centre also hosts recurring events such as the World Press Photo exhibition, which draws international attention and encourages reflection on journalism, imagery, and society.
Beyond exhibitions, the CCCB organizes film screenings, festivals, lectures, workshops, debates, poetry readings, performances, and conferences. Its Xcèntric Archive contains over 700 experimental and documentary films, while the CCCB Lab, founded in 2010, serves as a space for research and innovation at the intersection of technology, participation, and culture. The centre has also produced audiovisual projects such as Soy Cámara, a hybrid between television program and video essay created in collaboration with RTVE.
Archives and Memory
Although the CCCB does not maintain a permanent collection, it houses a vast multimedia archive of past programs, publications, and audiovisual materials. This resource is accessible to researchers and the public and reflects the centre’s commitment to preserving cultural memory while keeping it within the public domain.
Visiting the CCCB
Located on Carrer de Montalegre, the CCCB is easily reached from central metro stations such as Plaça de Catalunya or Universitat. The building is wheelchair accessible, and its courtyard, the Pati de les Dones, often serves as a lively gathering spot. The centre is open from Tuesday to Sunday, generally from 11:00 to 20:00, with extended hours on Thursdays until 22:00. It is closed on Mondays, except for public holidays, and also on December 25 and January 1.
Admission prices vary depending on the exhibitions, but visitors can take advantage of free entry on Sunday afternoons, which must be reserved in advance. A typical visit lasts 45 minutes to an hour, although attending lectures, screenings, or workshops can extend the experience.
Address: Montalegre, 5, 08001 Barcelona
Phone: 933 06 41 00
Website: www.cccb.org