Barcelona Gives Late Chronicler Lluís Permanyer Its Gold Medal

Barcelona’s city council has awarded its Medalla d’Or de la Ciutat (Gold Medal of the City, the highest honor the city gives) to journalist and writer Lluís Permanyer, who died on Oct. 23, 2025. The award is posthumous and passed on Thursday with the support of every party in the Ple (the full council session).

The vote also clears a path for a street, square or other public space in his name. According to La Vanguardia, the medal means the city no longer has to wait the five years after a death that its rules normally require before the Ponencia del Nomenclàtor (the committee that names streets and public places) can consider such a tribute.

A unanimous vote for the city’s chronicler

All 41 council members backed the medal, La Vanguardia reported. Broadcaster betevé listed the parties: PSC, Junts, BComú, ERC, PP and Vox. The proposal came from ERC, and Mayor Jaume Collboni had announced it during a tribute to Permanyer at City Hall in December of last year, according to the Spanish outlets.

Reports differ on his age at death: La Vanguardia and other Spanish media put it at 86, while betevé gave 85.

Permanyer wrote more than 80 books about Barcelona. He worked for the magazine Destino and spent almost his whole career at La Vanguardia, where for six decades he described the city by walking it with a notebook and pen. He also worked in publishing. His prizes included Catalonia’s National Journalism Prize, the Luca de Tena award and the Ciutat de Barcelona journalism prize.

What council members said

Second deputy mayor Maria Eugènia Gay (PSC) praised his ability to turn stories and heritage into something residents share. Jordi Rabassa (BComú), formerly the councillor for Ciutat Vella (the old-town district), recalled long talks with Permanyer while walking up and down La Rambla. La Vanguardia reported that Permanyer often sent him messages about spots in the central neighborhoods that he felt the city was neglecting.

Several speakers said Permanyer turned down prizes and tributes while he was alive because he did not want praise to weaken his role as a critic of those in power.

Joan Rodríguez (Junts) said the best tribute would be to act on some of his observations, such as his call for a monument to Ildefons Cerdà, the engineer who planned the Eixample. La Vanguardia reported that this monument is expected soon in Plaça Universitat, though details are not known. Antonio Verdera (PP) said Permanyer taught that a city is more than streets and buildings, and Gonzalo de Oro (Vox) pointed to his criticism of improvised urban planning.

What it means for a public space in his name

ERC has already asked for a public space to carry Permanyer’s name. “Now all that’s left is for Barcelona to dedicate a public space to him,” said Jordi Castellana (ERC), according to betevé. No location or date has been announced.

Three civic merit medals

The same session approved three Medalles d’Or al Mèrit Cívic (Gold Medals for Civic Merit):

• Pilar Malla i Escofet, posthumously. She was Barcelona’s first Síndica de Greuges (city ombudsperson) and died in September. The council cited her work on social rights and against poverty, exclusion and inequality.
• Jesús Maria Sánchez García, a lawyer and former dean of the Barcelona Bar Association (ICAB), recognized for helping build the city’s standing as a legal capital.
• Ramon Agenjo Bosch, a businessman, philanthropist and heir to the Damm brewing family, recognized for promoting Barcelona abroad and supporting its economy, culture, food and sport.

The session was originally scheduled for last Friday. According to La Vanguardia, it was postponed because of the days of mourning declared after the Urda train crash.

Sources: 20minutos, La Vanguardia, betevé