<p>The evolution of the study of macroseismic effects of earthquakes in Catalonia is presented. From the first attempts to develop historical earthquake catalogues for the region to the recently introduced automatic analysis of questionnaires, a long way has been covered and new projects are on way. Macroseismic studies had been extremely important for the seismic hazard and risk assessment of Catalonia as the most important damaging earthquakes of the region are historical earthquakes. The most recent seismic hazard and risk assessments are based mainly on the catalogue of historical earthquakes from the “Atles Sísmic de Catalunya” (Susagna and Goula 1999) compiled 25&#xa0;years ago. Having a better understanding of the damaging earthquakes of the past through improving the data and quality of the location and intensity determination also contributes to generate damage scenarios that can be used to build public awareness about the seismic risk affecting the region and promote the creation of seismic crisis action plans like the Special seismic emergency plan for Catalonia (SISMICAT 2003–2020). In the recent decades several new macroseismic studies had been completed that indicate that the Catalonia historical earthquake catalogue must be updated. This future updated catalogue is of key importance to develop the seismic hazard and risk scenarios to be included in the next update SISMICAT action plan.</p>