History of la Barceloneta

Barceloneta's evolution

We start our tour on Barceloneta’s metro station. This is our starting point, and is a good time to introduce ourselves to the neighborhood that we are going to visit. So that, we are going to begin with its origins and history. 

The triangular territory were the Barceloneta is situated was assented on false grounds which appeared with the construction of the harbor breakwaters which generated the sedimentation of land and sand prominent from the Besos river.

The demolition of the old quarter of the Ribera for the construction of the military fortifications of the Citadel led to the demolition of many buildings. This prompted the need for new housesso people decided to install themselves over the sandy harbor in barracks built with all kinds of materials forming a "labyrinth of huts." Later, the redevelopment of these lands led to the construction of the Barceloneta and all those old huts were replaced by new blocks of buildings. On February 3^rd of 1753 took place the laying of the foundation stone of what would be the maritime district of Barcelona which was designed by the military engineer: Juan Martin Cermeño who wanted to end the disorganization of the constructions on the harbor and built more houses for people.

Soon after the inauguration, it became a district with a strong sailor character, where they also organized many activities related to the port and the sea. In fact, in the twentieth century they began to spread water sports on the port: the Athletics Swimming Club and the Barcelona Swimming Club were the most active. The latter club promoted, along with athletes from Badalona and New Town, skate sailing regattas.

Aereal view

It also became one of the leisure areas of Barcelona. The first baths were important, they were built in the early nineteenth century, and the success was so great that they keep adding stores, including the Oriental baths, baths The Shipyard, the St. Michael and San Sebastian, many of which survived until the late eighties of the twentieth century.

Gastronomy is also part of its essence. Now and then, you can see small restaurants everywhere. In fact, on the beach there used to be many merenderos, because some fisherman used to offer fresh fish fresh, so they survived and later converted to the bars of Barceloneta, until they disappeared in the 90’s.

Layout of the historic center.

Carmeño presented a project which was based in long, narrow islands that ended in a central square where they would locate the most outstanding buildings of the neighborhood. The streets opened at both ends, providing more access options. While looking for a parallel orientation of the streets with the port in order to provide a greater shelter from the wind.

Each island was divided into ten houses, consisting of ground floor and one floor with a centered door and two side windows on the ground floor and the first floor, a central balcony and two side windows. The building height was proportional to the width of the street, so the sun was always guaranteed throughout the building facades and apparel decoration.

The Barceloneta urban layout has been considered one of the finest examples of Baroque peninsular urbanism. The will to fight against the natural unhealthiness of those lands and make them livable was reflected on the sunshine of the streets with the minimum height of the houses, and the fact that the narrow rectangular blocks of houses were oriented north-south, sheltered from the east wind, allowed all rooms have windows on the outside and therefore cross ventilation between the two facades.