The republican party has raised the need to restore the original design of the decoration, created by sculptor Enric Casanovas, which was modified during the dictatorship. The government led by Jaume Collboni has agreed to open a “debate” on the issue, even though the Institut d’Estudis Catalans (IEC) had already issued a favorable report on the change.
This report, prepared by historian Rossend Casanova at the request of the ICUB, reviews the history of the medal, which was officially created in 1930. Its origin lies in a generous act by sculptor Josep Llimona, who donated his sculpture el Forjador to the city, currently located in Plaça de Carles Buïgas.
“"Having constructed the history, we now know that the City Medal was created to thank Josep Llimona for donating his sculpture el Forjador to Barcelona on May 1, 1930, and that the Barcelona City Council promoted it by plenary agreement on April 29, 1930."
This gesture motivated several councilors to request the medal be awarded to Llimona, making him the first major recipient. Although the decision was made during the reign of Alfonso XIII, the delivery was delayed due to political changes, specifically the arrival of the Second Republic. Finally, the Culture Commission of the Barcelona City Council approved minting the medal in January 1932, a decision ratified in plenary session on May 25, 1932. The first piece cost 3,000 pesetas to the sculptor Casanovas, with a total cost of 4,770 pesetas including the 21-carat gold.
