Located in the historic archdeacon's house, the Casa de l'Ardiaca, it houses the city's documentary archive from the mid-13th century to mid-19th century. It also has an extensive collection of private documents that have been deposited with the archive, as well as extensive collections of examples of the graphic arts, the oral history archive, a newspaper library and a library specializing in the history of Barcelona. Additionally, the center offers an archive search room, digital and paper copies of documents from the collection, archivist to assist with any questions and guided tours for groups.
This Gothic palace was built at the beginning of the 16th century, adding on to a 12th century building adjoined to the old Roman wall. A fragment of this wall can be seen inside the building. Moreover, there are two arcades from the Roman aqueducts dating from the end of the 1st century BCE as well a a beautiful Gothic patio and its fountain.
