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Can Felipa

A trip to the industrial Poblenou

Follow the trail of the industrial relics of 22@ to enter the Barcelona of the 19th century.

The number of factories in Poblenou during the development of the textile industry was such that the neighbourhood was known as the "Catalan Manchester". The creation of two railway lines connecting the port and its activity with the industrial buildings in the area made it one of the most important economic engines of the country. Due to the crisis of the 1960s and the fall of the textile sector, the buildings had to be reinvented and adapted to the new needs of the city. Thus, they began to be used as art centres or headquarters of technological innovation companies, but always preserving their original facades and architectural characteristics. If you follow the 22@ Industrial Relics Trail recommended by Visit Barcelona, you will be able to enjoy a trip to the industrial Poblenou and discover the buildings that formed part of its urban renewal plan.

One of the first places on the itinerary are two of the neighbourhood's old factories, which have now been adapted for a new use. Can Ricart, which was one of the first cotton printing factories in Catalonia, still conserves the main nave, the tower attached to it and a hall that is now used as a space for artistic creation. Nearby, in Carrer Pallars, you will find Can Felipa, the old textile factory that will captivate you with its facade and mansards . Today, this building contains the Poblenou Historical Archive, a Civic Centre and, in its attic, a theatre.

In the 1970s, Andreu Gili i Guardiola built La Fama, also known as Can Gili Vell. This former flour factory had a mill and was dedicated to the production of wheat. At the end of the 2000s, it was renovated and became a group of offices and dwellings in which the only original elements that remain are the main industrial building, the tower and the chimney. You can observe its beauty from the outside and understand why it was one of the most outstanding industrial buildings in the Poblenou neighbourhood at the time.

One of the most recommended stops is Ca l'Alier, a textile factory that has been converted into an intelligent building incorporating sensors and devices for efficient management, which, as part of the 22@ project, is considered one of the most sustainable and environmentally friendly buildings. It is also the headquarters of the Barcelona Institute of Technology Habitat Foundation, a centre for entrepreneurship and technological innovation.

If you follow the 22@ Industrial Relics Trail, you will visit other buildings such as Ca l'Aranyó, Can Canela, Can Jaumandreu, la Macosa, la Torre de les Aigües del Besòs and Can Folch. Take a trip back in time and enjoy industrial tourism to contemplate and discover the architecture of 19th century Barcelona. More information on this link.

Publication date: Tuesday, 30 August 2022
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