European Ribbon

Introduction

The building

The Congreso de los Diputados is the lower house of Spain’s bicameral parliament, called the General Cortes, and the upper house is 🔗 the Senate. The Palace of the Congress of Deputies is a neoclassical building, the work of the architect Narciso Pascual y Colomer built between 1843 and 1850. The stone for the new seat of the Chamber of Deputies was laid by Queen Isabella II, and until its completion, the deputies met in the Ballroom of the Royal Theatre. Its main façade consists of a classical portico with six Corinthian columns, supporting a triangular pediment decorated with a bas-relief by Ponciano Ponzano. It depicts Spain accepting the constitution. At the end of the staircase, there are bronze doors, crafted by José María Sánchez Pescadora. On both sides of the staircase sit proud lions, also the work of Ponzano. The lions were cast in bronze from cannons from the African War in 1860, at Maestranza in Seville in 1866.

The Congress

The Congress of Deputies is made up of 350 members elected for a 4-year term based on proportional representation. An exception exists for two single-member districts in the enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, located on the northern coast of Africa. Votes for seats are counted separately in each of the 52 provinces using the D’Hondt method. The electoral threshold is 3% within each district. Citizens from the age of 18 have the right to vote and stand for election. The Congress of Deputies is the chamber representing all Spanish citizens.

Planner

Visits are free and only with a Spanish guide. 🌐 On-line booking in advanced is required. Individual visits on Friday at 12 pm or Saturday at 10:30 am, 11:15 am and 12:00 pm.

We encourage you to take a 🌐 virtual tour of the Congress of Deputies.