The Academy of the Distrustful

During the early 18th century, the educated Catalan aristocracy organized themselves to defend and delve deeper into their history and culture. This was a common practice in other European cities, and in Barcelona, this institution was known, and is still known, as the Academy of the Distrustful. In fact, this is the institution we will explore along this route, along with the members who formed it in its early years and its history.

Likewise, we will see what mark it has left on Catalan culture and what endures today, not only in Barcelona but also in other areas of the Catalan territory.

The Academy of the Distrustful

The Academy of the Distrustful, or the Distrustful Academy, is an institution founded by learned aristocrats in Barcelona on June 3, 1700, with the aim of promoting the study of Catalan language, culture, and history through evenings dedicated to literature and philosophy. It is dedicated to the Virgin of Montserrat and has also been known as the " Montserrat School," and its members as the " wise men of the Born."

The sessions of the Academy of the Distrustful, during its first phase, were held in the Palace of Pau Ignacio de Dalmases y Ros, now the Dalmases Palace, located on Montcada Street, and were conducted in a solemn manner. They continued, as far as we know, until 1703. However, in 1729, the Academy of Fine Arts of Barcelona emerged, which in some ways took over its work.

On June 3, 2025, the 325th anniversary of its founding, the Academy of the Distrustful was reconstituted in the Dalmases Room of the Historical Archive of the City of Barcelona.

Distrustful Members

Of the members who formed part of the Academy of the Distrustful in its first stage, its main representative and founder, Pau Ignasi de Dalmases y Ros, stands out. He was a scholar who admired the elite European academies and wanted the Academy of the Distrustful to be one of them.

Besides him, there were thirteen other members who also formed part of the founding of the Academy of the Distrustful. Among them were:

José Antonio de Rubí y de Boixadors, Marquis of Rubí, was a highly distinguished military officer and close to Charles III. As a member and captain of the Coronela regiment, he participated in many battles and, incidentally, became viceroy of cities such as Mallorca, Naples, and Sardinia.

Joan Antoni de Boixadors Pacs y de Pinós was also a captain of the Coronela and was chosen as president of the Academy of the Distrustful.

Antoni de Peguera y de Aimeric was one of the most active members within the Academy and was also part of the Pact of the Vigatans, as a Catalan representative in the signing of the Treaty of Genoa with England.

Llorenç de Barutell y de Erill, Francesc de Junyent y de Vergós, Josep Amat de Planella, Alexandre de Palau y de Aguilar, Francesc de Josa y de Agulló, Josep de Taverner y de Ardena, Agustí de Copons y de Copons , Felip de Ferran y de Sacirera Falguera, and Francesc de Sans Miquel were the other members who formed part of the Academy of the Distrustful, which was to be made up of 40 members and there were Catalans as well as foreigners (Castilians, two Valencians, one Portuguese and one Italian).

Dalmases lineage

Pau Ignacio de Dalmases y Ros came from a family with an important lineage within the Catalan territory.

To find its origins, we must go back to the 14th century and travel to Sant Martí Sesgueioles, in what is now the Anoia region. But it wasn't until the beginning of the 17th century that we find Pau Dalmases i Solà, who held one of the most notable trades among his family members: the trade of "paraire," which consisted of buying wool and preparing it for sale to weavers, dyers, and wool merchants—a very typical trade in this region.

In fact, it was this same Pau Dalmases i Solà who moved to Barcelona to trade in various products. His son also went into business and was the father of Pau Ignasi de Dalmases i Ros.

The profits from the businesses will allow them to buy different properties, including several houses and shops in the city of Barcelona, an old Gothic palace on Montcada street, the Pierola Tower in Els Hostalets de Pierola and a country house in Cabrera de Mataró ( Cabrera de Mar ).

Pierola Tower

The Pierola Tower came into the hands of the Dalmases family at the end of the 17th century, through the purchase made by the merchant Pau de Dalmases y Castells.

From that time on, it was used for tax collection and as a summer residence, but its current inhabitants have restored it. They are the descendants of the Dalmases family, who intermarried with the Fontcuberta family.

We can admire it from the Romeus road to Montserrat, right above the houses on the island (Pierola). Its large windows and majestic construction are striking, and it continues to offer a panoramic view of much of the Pierola Valley from an exceptional vantage point.

Dalmases Palace

The Dalmases Palace is an old Baroque building located on Montcada Street in Barcelona. It has been renovated several times, and today its 15th-century chapel is preserved, featuring exquisitely crafted decorations in its star-shaped vault, including images of angels and an Epiphany scene. The library, the room where the Academy of the Distrustful met, is also located there.

The facade is rather simple, and the most striking feature is the interior courtyard. It consists of a staircase with a frieze depicting the mythological scene of the abduction of Europa and Neptune's chariot. There are also a series of Solomonic columns supporting ramped or splayed arches.

In 1700 it served as the headquarters of the Academy of the Distrustful. And throughout the 20th century it became the headquarters of the Institut d'Estudis Catalans and Òmnium Cultural. Today, its spaces are used for private events, musical activities, fashion shows, and other exclusive events.

Academy of Fine Letters of Barcelona

The Royal Academy of Belles Lettres of Barcelona (RABLB), drawing on the scholarly legacy of the Academy of the Distrustful, was founded in 1729 in Barcelona as the Academy of Barcelona or Literary Academy of Barcelona . It was re-established in 1752 with its current name upon receiving the official title. Its purpose was to educate young people in the history of Catalonia, philosophy, and literature. Its founders included Segismon Comas i Codinach, Bernat Antoni de Boixadors, Count of Peralada, and several other prominent figures in the city's intellectual circles.

Today, the Royal Academy of Belles Lettres of Barcelona still exists and is made up of 40 members. It has an archive, a library, an important coin collection, the Gallery of Illustrious Catalans, and maintains an active cultural life.

Its headquarters are located in the Requesens Palace, also known as the Palace of the Countess of Palamós, situated on Obispo Cazador Street in Barcelona. It is notable for its numerous renovations, particularly during the 16th and 17th centuries. However, it still retains the splendor of a private palace, which was considered the largest in medieval Barcelona.

Real girls...

Royal Girls and Obsequious Tears in Memory of the Great Charles II was a collection of works composed by writers enthusiastic about Charles II. Published in 1701, this work contained a series of laments for the monarch's death and publicly demonstrated the loyalty of the founding members of the Academy of the Distrustful to the last king of the House of Austria, which has been interpreted as support for the Austrian cause.

His editor was one of the founding members of the Academy, Josep Amat de Planella.

The emblem that appears in the Royal Nenias... is also the emblem of the Academy of the Distrustful and was created by Francisco Gazán. It depicts a ship that has entrusted itself to the stormy sea and is sinking, and behind it another that has distrusted itself and remains safe on the beach, above which is the motto of the Academy: "Tutta, quia diffidens" (All, because it is distrustful).

«Tutta, quia diffidens»

This is the motto of the Academy of the Skeptics, and indeed, the Academy 's name stems from the distrust and doubt that had arisen in other parts of Europe within the context of the development of rationalism and skepticism. This was reflected in the European courts of Paris and London, which had also created cultural institutions very similar to the one established in Barcelona, and especially in the Italian Renaissance and Baroque academies (it seems that the name was inspired, by contrast, by the Academy of the Confident).

And the phrase "Tutta, quia diffidens" simply means "Confident, because she is suspicious." Thus revealing her distrust of the new situation.

At the Born Cultural Center, cultural activities are carried out under this motto to disseminate linguistic, literary and historical aspects.

Reconstitution of the Academy of the Distrustful

On June 3, 2025, the 325th anniversary of its founding, the Academy of the Skeptics was reconstituted in the Dalmases Room of the Historical Archive of the City of Barcelona by Miquel Pérez-Latre, Joan Pons Alzina, Eduard Puig Bordera and Joaquim, understood in the broadest possible sense (from pure philosophy to the history of science and even human ecology) so that the members who are part of this new stage can share our humanistic research and bring it closer to the rest of the citizens.

For more information you can visit the website www.academiadelsdesconfiats.cat or contact them via email at [email protected].