The refurbishment will involve restoring the façades and their surrounding areas, as well as the access points and internal pathways. The building’s structural elements and roof enclosure will also be reviewed.

The Umbracle is classified as a cultural asset of local interest and, together with the Greenhouse, the Castle of the Three Dragons and the Martorell Exhibition Centre, forms part of the heritage axis of the Ciutadella del Coneixement, a scientific and urban development project aimed at transforming the park and its surroundings into a hub for knowledge, outreach, research and innovation.

Currently, the Umbracle houses various plant species that will be protected during the works.

A conservation project designed to meet current regulations

As part of the work on the building’s outer structure, the project will restore the exposed brickwork, improve drainage and remove overgrown vegetation. Inside, the furniture, flooring, drainage and signage will be upgraded. Externally, the joinery on the main façades and the railings on the secondary façades will be restored, alongside routine maintenance of the site’s heritage features.

The building will undergo upgrades to bring it up to current safety, accessibility and fire protection regulations, enabling it to be used by the public. It will also be equipped with more efficient and sustainable facilities, including updates to the irrigation system, the incorporation of micro-sprinklers and the installation of a new lighting system.

The project has a budget of €2.4 million. The first phase of works, which will focus on the interior of the building, is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2026 and last ten months. The second phase, which will include the restoration of the four external façades, is scheduled for 2027 and expected to take three months.

Major renovation and improvement works underway at Ciutadella Park

The refurbishment of the Umbracle is part of the wider renovation programme currently under way at Ciutadella Park, which has a total budget of €8.9 million.

Half of the investment comes from the Next Generation EU European funds, while the other half comes from the Comprehensive Maintenance Plan under the Pla Endreça framework, which aims to maintain, renovate and transform the city’s public space.