Sants-Montjuïc

Sants-Montjuïc is Barcelona’s largest district, covering a surface area of 2,090 hectares, almost equivalent to a fifth of the municipal territory. It comprises neighbourhoods with extremely diverse populations and their own distinct personalities.

The historic village of Sants is located above the Gran Via. Once a rural settlement, it grew rapidly in the first half of the 20th century when textile mills, factories and shops set up their premises here. Like many other villages on the Barcelona Plain, Sants was annexed by Barcelona in 1897.

Poble-sec extends from below the Avinguda del Paral·lel to the foot of Montjuïc Hill. Its working-class roots and a long-standing theatrical tradition are some of the distinctive traits of this Barcelona neighbourhood, where you’ll still find one of the air-raid shelters built by the local community during the Spanish Civil War.

However, the most iconic landmark in Poble-sec is certainly Montjuïc Hill. Standing 185 metres high, its characteristic outline, resembling a cliff sinking into the sea, has been a symbol of the city since ancient times and a superb viewing point over Barcelona. The hill was known as the Mount of the Jews (Montjuïc in Catalan) and so-named because Barcelona’s Sephardic community bought land here in medieval times to bury their dead. Montjuïc has been one of the city’s key suppliers. The Romans used stone quarried on Montjuïc to build Barcino, and the Christians took stone from here to construct iconic medieval landmarks such as Santa Maria del Mar.

Montjuïc has been, and remains, a superb lookout point over Barcelona. You can enjoy exceptional views of the city, port and coastline from its many belvederes – such as the Mirador del Alcalde, and the Mirador del Migdia and the path that connects them – and unique means of transport, such as the cable cars which run up to the castle and across the harbour.

However, building on the hill and its resulting transformation didn’t take place until relatively recently. In the early 20th century, the City Council decided to host the 1929 International Exhibition on the hill. The Plaça d’Espanya, the Magic Fountain, the Palau Nacional, home of the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, the visionary German Pavilion created by Mies van der Rohe for the exhibition and the Poble Espanyol, or Spanish Village, date from this period. And the Olympic Stadium, which first opened in 1992, was completely remodelled for the city’s hosting of the 25th Olympic Games in Barcelona. The Olympic Ring was completed with unique buildings, such as the Palau Sant Jordi (Arata Isozaki) and the Communications Tower (Santiago Calatrava).

If you add other cultural attractions to the mix, such as CaixaForum and the Fundació Miró, as well as the many themed gardens from different eras that dot Montjuïc Hill, it gives us a great community space where you’ll find art and culture, leisure and sport, trade fairs and congresses, gardens and nature trails.

Source: Barcelona Turisme

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t could be said that the neighbourhood of Poble-sec was the first city expansion, carried out before Ildefons Cerdà‘s Eixample district. People first came to live here in the middle of the 19th century beyond the old walled city. A stretch of the medieval wall attached to the Gothic shipyards, the Reials Drassanes, can still be seen today at the end of the Avinguda Paral·lel. Not far from here, the air-raid shelter, Refugi 307, illustrates how the civilian population lived during wartime.

This is a close-knit community in Barcelona with a long-standing tradition in the world of entertainment and theatre. It reached the height of its fame in the 1950s when the music hall artistes on the Paral·lel were the queens of irreverent humour. The three imposing chimneys towering above the buildings and theatres in the area have been preserved as a symbol of this Barcelona neighbourhood’s industrial past. It was also the birthplace of such illustrious figures as the singer-songwriter Joan Manuel Serrat, hence his nickname “the boy from Poble-sec”. The Paral·lel metro station connects with the funicular, which is a quick and convenient way of reaching the Parc de Montjuïc.

Source: Barcelona Tourism

La Marina del Prat Vermell is a neighborhood located in the Sants-Montjuïc district of Barcelona. This area is currently undergoing significant development and transformation. Historically, it was known for its agricultural fields, which gave the neighbourhood its name.

The neighborhood is part of a larger urban renewal project aimed at creating a modern, sustainable community. Once completed, La Marina del Prat Vermell is expected to house around 30,000 residents and include a mix of residential, commercial, and green spaces. The development plan emphasises accessibility, with the extension of the Barcelona Metro line 9 set to improve connectivity to the rest of the city.

La Marina del Prat Vermell is designed to be a vibrant and inclusive neighbourhood, offering a high quality of life for its residents. The area will feature various amenities, including parks, schools, and cultural facilities, making it an attractive place to live and visit.

La Marina de Port is a neighborhood located in the Sants-Montjuïc district of Barcelona. It is one of the two parts of La Marina de Sants, the other being La Marina del Prat Vermell. The neighbourhood is situated between La Bordeta, La Marina del Prat Vermell, and Montjuïc, and it borders the municipality of L’Hospitalet de Llobregat.

Historically, La Marina de Port was an agricultural area with numerous farmhouses, many of which date back to before the 1900s. One of the most notable historical landmarks is the Masía de Can Mestres, the only remaining farmhouse in the city of Barcelona. The neighbourhood’s name is tied to the construction of the Port Castle and the Chapel of the Virgin Mary of Port in the late 10th century.

Today, La Marina de Port is a vibrant residential area that has seen significant growth and development, particularly due to the nearby industrial zone, Zona Franca. The neighbourhood offers a mix of historical charm and modern amenities, making it an interesting place to explore.

La Font de la Guatlla is a small neighbourhood located in the Sants-Montjuïc district of Barcelona. Nestled on the northwestern slope of Montjuïc mountain, it is bordered by the Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, between Plaça d’Espanya and Plaça de Cerdà.

This charming area is known for its unique blend of low-rise houses with gardens, which contrast with the taller buildings closer to the Gran Via. Many of the streets in La Font de la Guatlla are named after flowers, reflecting its original design as a garden city.

One of the most notable landmarks in the neighbourhood is the old Casa Ramona factory, now home to the CaixaForum, a cultural center that hosts various exhibitions and events. The factory, designed by the renowned architect Josep Puig i Cadafalch, is a prime example of industrial architecture in the area.

La Font de la Guatlla also celebrates its local culture with the Festa Major, a neighbourhood festival held in mid-June. This event features traditional dances, community meals, workshops, and sporting activities, bringing together residents and visitors alike.

Hostafrancs is a neighborhood located in the Sants-Montjuïc district of Barcelona. It has a rich history, originally forming part of the former municipality of Santa Maria de Sants before being incorporated into Barcelona in 1839. The neighborhood is well-known for its vibrant local life and historical significance.

One of the key landmarks in Hostafrancs is the Mercat d’Hostafrancs, a bustling market that has been serving the community since 1888. The market offers a wide variety of fresh produce, meats, and other goods, making it a central hub for local residents.

Hostafrancs is also home to the Hostafrancs metro station on line L1 of the Barcelona Metro, providing excellent connectivity to the rest of the city. The neighbourhood is adjacent to the iconic Plaça d’Espanya, a major square that features notable landmarks such as the Venetian Towers and the former bullring, now a shopping center.

The area is known for its community events, including the Festa Major d’Hostafrancs, an annual festival that celebrates local culture with various activities and performances. This event highlights the neighbourhood’s strong sense of community and tradition.

La Bordeta is a neighborhood located in the Sants-Montjuïc district of Barcelona. It is situated between the neighbourhoods of Sants and L’Hospitalet de Llobregat. Historically, La Bordeta developed along the road connecting Barcelona and Sant Boi de Llobregat, with its name derived from the small farmhouses, or “bordes,” used to store agricultural tools.

The area is known for its mix of residential buildings and small industrial workshops. One of the most notable landmarks in La Bordeta is Can Batlló, a former textile factory that has been transformed into a community space with cultural and social activities. This transformation reflects the neighbourhood’s strong community spirit and commitment to preserving its industrial heritage.

La Bordeta also features various local amenities, including shops, cafes, and parks, making it a vibrant and convenient place to live. The neighbourhood is well-connected to the rest of Barcelona, with several public transportation options available.

Sants-Badal is a neighbourhood located in the Sants-Montjuïc district of Barcelona. It is situated between the Riera Blanca (the border with L’Hospitalet de Llobregat), Avinguda Madrid, and Rambla de Badal, from which it gets its name. Covering an area of 0.41 square kilometres, Sants-Badal is one of the most densely populated neighbourhoods in Barcelona, with a population density of approximately 58,430 inhabitants per square kilometer.

The neighbourhood is known for its vibrant local life and community spirit. It features a mix of residential buildings, shops, cafes, and parks, making it a lively and convenient place to live. Sants-Badal is well-connected to the rest of Barcelona, with several public transportation options available, including metro and bus lines.

One of the notable landmarks in Sants-Badal is the Parroquia de Nostra Senyora dels Dolors, a beautiful church that serves as a focal point for the community. The neighbourhood also benefits from its proximity to the larger Sants area, which offers additional amenities and attractions.

Sants is a vibrant neighbourhood located in the Sants-Montjuïc district of Barcelona. It has a rich industrial history, originally developing as a separate village before being incorporated into Barcelona in 1897. The area is known for its strong community spirit and bustling local life.

One of the key landmarks in Sants is the Barcelona Sants railway station, the city’s main train station, which serves as a major transportation hub for both national and international travel. The station connects to various parts of Spain and beyond, making it a crucial point for travelers.

Sants is also famous for its Festa Major de Sants, an annual festival held in August that features street decorations, parades, concerts, and traditional Catalan activities. This event showcases the neighbourhood’s lively and festive atmosphere.

The neighbourhood offers a mix of residential areas, shops, cafes, and parks. Carrer de Sants and Carrer de la Creu Coberta are two of the main commercial streets, lined with a variety of stores and local businesses. Additionally, the Parc de l’Espanya Industrial is a popular green space that provides a relaxing environment for residents and visitors alike.

Sants is well-connected to the rest of Barcelona, with several metro and bus lines serving the area. This makes it easy to explore the neighbourhood and enjoy its many attractions.

Zona Franca-Port is an industrial and logistics area located in the Sants-Montjuïc district of Barcelona. This area includes the Polígon Industrial de la Zona Franca and part of the Port of Barcelona. It is situated in the Llobregat Delta, between the Port of Barcelona and Barcelona Airport.

The origins of Zona Franca date back to an attempt to create a free port in Barcelona in 1929, which ultimately did not succeed. However, with the industrialization wave in Catalonia during the 1950s, the area was developed into a significant industrial zone. Today, it hosts a variety of industries, including automotive, food trading, and logistics.

One of the key features of Zona Franca is its excellent connectivity. The area is served by the L10 metro line, which connects it to central Barcelona and the rest of the metropolitan area. This makes it a crucial hub for both local and international trade.

The Port of Barcelona is one of the busiest ports in Europe, playing a vital role in the economy of the region. It handles a wide range of cargo, from containers to bulk goods, and is a key point for maritime trade in the Mediterranean.