Barcelona is the capital city of Catalonia. The autonomous community of Spain is governed by the Parliament, Executive Council and President. The leader of the Government of Catalonia is elected by Parliament and appointed by Spain’s king. Since 1359, the headquarters for the presidency has been at the Palau de la Generalitat. The Renaissance façade facing Plaça de Sant Jaume was designed by Josep Puig i Cadafalch and added in 1596.
