City Hall of Murcia
Plaza Cardenal Belluga, s/n
30004
Murcia
Spain
José Rafael Moneo 1991-1998
The annex to the City Hall of Murcia is located in the historical center of the city, in the square Cardinal Belluga, together with the cathedral of the 16th century and the Episcopal Palace from 1768. The big design challenge for Rafael Moneo was to face a modern institutional building opposite two religious buildings of strong historical tradition. Most Murcia citizens still think that Moneo's building should not be located in this square, in spite of the architect's efforts.
The material used for the exterior of the building is brick and a sandstone typical of the Region of Murcia. In the interior, the architect decided to use panels of wood and stucco for the walls, and stone and wood for the floors. Moneo also took part as counselor of the election for the furniture of the interior.
The façade is the most important element of this building. Rafael Moneo focused all his efforts to compose it and that this one could compose in a dialogue with its environment. Moneo thought about a musical score for the order of the columns, and about a glass balcony to break the symmetry, and from which the mayor could appear to the city.
The building has diverse rooms of conferences and meetings, and a café, to which one accedes for the pit of the façade.
Gonzalo Herrero Delicado 2006
How to visit
The City Hall is in the very center of Murcia. The one route to come to the Plaza Cardenal Belluga is by foot since all the vehicles were prohibited in the historical hull of the city.
For further information about the building and the city, there is a tourist office just beside the corner of the building. Only some zones of the building are open the public. The opening hours are as follows:
Monday-Friday 9am to 2pm
Monday-Thursday 5pm to 7.30pm
Saturdays 9.30am to 1.30pm
Books and other web sites
Click the book title to view and to order direct
from
Rafael Moneo 1967-2004
El Croquis
A useful guide on the life and the work of this Spanish architect, containing a wide collection of pictures, plans and information about his complete works.
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