In the heart of Barcelona, on Via Laietana, a new political conflict is unfolding. The building that for many years housed the main headquarters of the National Police of Catalonia may soon see its purpose completely changed. The Spanish government is considering turning this facility into a memorial dedicated to the victims of the Francoist regime.
Expert reports commissioned by the authorities compare this location to some of the most notorious repression centers of the 20th century. The documents mention sites such as the ‘Topography of Terror’ in Berlin, the former Gestapo headquarters, as well as buildings in Argentina and Chile where people were tortured and detained during military dictatorships. The researchers emphasize that the building in Barcelona became a symbol of fear and violence for many generations of Catalans.
The process of recognizing the building as a ‘site of democratic memory’ began last summer. Authorities tasked historians and specialists with preparing a justification for such a move. Pro-independence supporters, who have long sought the departure of the police from this building, showed particular initiative. Among them are members of ERC and ‘Comunes,’ who have repeatedly raised this issue in negotiations with the central government.
One of the key reports, prepared by historian and former politician Xavier Domènech, calls for the building to be completely freed from police functions. In his view, this is the only way to truly rethink the space and turn it into a permanent memorial. Domènech believes it is impossible for the police and a memorial to share the building—the associations with repression and violence are too strong.
So far, the authorities have limited themselves to installing commemorative plaques and information panels that recount these tragic chapters of history. However, a complete withdrawal of the police from the building is not ruled out in the future. This option is causing concern among law enforcement personnel, who fear losing an important strategic facility in Barcelona. The Spanish Minister of the Interior has repeatedly stated that police eviction will not be permitted, but skepticism about these assurances is growing among officers.
Police unions are already preparing protests against possible changes. They insist that the National Police is a modern and democratic institution, and consider any comparison to totalitarian regimes to be offensive. Union representatives emphasize that their main responsibility is to uphold law and order, not to engage in political disputes. Meanwhile, supporters of the memorial believe that only radical change will allow Barcelona to finally move past its difficult legacy.
The question of the future of the building on Via Laietana remains unresolved. The decision the authorities make could set a precedent for the entire country and impact relations between Madrid and Barcelona. For now, tensions surrounding this historic site continue to rise.
