Construction and Architectural Similarities of Roman and Catalan Buildings
The house of a wealthy family in Roman times is known as a Domus Romana. They are characterized by the atrium, or inner court with an opening in the surrounding roof, that had a impluvium, or pool to collect rainwater. The peristylium was a larger courtyard at the back of the house that also contained a impluvium. This resembled a garden while the atrium was a space with a pool. The domus did not have any windows on its exterior walls and the open halls of the atrium and peristylium. The only source of light was through windows and doors the faced toward the atrium and peristylium. The triclinium was a social place for celebrating and eating. The room was decorated lavishly with colorful tiles and mosaics to display the wealth of the owner of the house. Meals were eaten on reclining couches called triclinia. The culina was the kitchen with a built in fire stove, pots for cooking, and a sink. The tablinum was a large formal room that the father of master of the house used to have meetings or do business. This was a room used for entertainment as well as studying. The cubicula were the private sleeping quarters of the residences of the house. The room contained a bed, storage for clothes, and a place to sit. In the cubicula one might find jewelry and accessories made of precious metals. Some examples include headdresses made of bone and bronze or rings made of gold and silver decorated with gems and crystals.
Not all Catalan buildings have the same atrium and perstylium that the Domus Romana had, but some do and many have other similar qualities. if the house does not have a center opening there is usually a terrace or garden in the back. Much like the domus, the insides of houses are decorated to display the wealth of the family but it is not displayed on the outside. In addition, the shops were located at the front of the domus. Although the same people who live in the apartment buildings do not own the shops at the front of their buildings, the majority of apartments in Barcelona have shops in front.
Throughout Catalunya the architectural influence of the Romans can be seen on government buildings. In Barcelona, many of the buildings such as the Palau de la Generalitat, have NeoClassical architecture that include columns, domes, and curved arches. Similar architecture can be seen on government buildings in the United States in Washington D.C. The Roman architectural influence has remained prominent due to its suggestion of power.