It is also the venue where Catalonia’s most important political and institutional events are held, including high-level meetings, institutional visits, award ceremonies, audiences and receptions.

The Diputació del General de Catalunya, known popularly as the Generalitat, has its origins in the Corts Catalanes (Catalan Courts), a parliamentary representative assembly that shared power with the monarch and was one of the first institutions of its kind in Europe. The first president was Berenguer de Cruïlles, appointed to the Corts de Cervera in 1359. In 1400, buildings at the site were acquired to house the institution’s permanent headquarters. The main facade (1597–1619), designed by Pere Blai, is the prime example of civilian Gothic architecture of the Renaissance era in Catalonia.