Farewell to the Colònia Castells

The Colònia Castells was built in 1923 to house the workers of the Manuel Castells varnish and patent leather factory on Travessera de les Corts in Barcelona. It is a cluster of very modest little houses of poor build quality, spread along three lengthwise passages (Passatge de Piera, de Castells, de Barnola and Carrer Castells) and one crosswise street (Carrer Transversal) that runs as far as Entença.

Most of these houses, painted in pastel colours or covered in tiles, are single-storey, but they have access to the flat roof and a small garden at the back. With cars, motorbikes and bikes parked in the streets, plastic tables and chairs set out for sitting in the fresh air, plants and creepers climbing up the walls, and cats, dogs and even hens, it is a rural haven in the middle of the city.

Part of the area is soon to be demolished. In the first phase, 100 of the 220 existing houses will be knocked down. The residents affected will be rehoused in a block of subsidised flats close to where they live now.

Although the area is a bit run-down these days, and a number of squatters live alongside the regular residents, it’s a shame that no way has been found to preserve this piece of history that connects us with industrial Barcelona.

More photos here.

I’m all for the conservation and restoration of Barcelona’s historical and cultural heritage. For more information, visit the Salvem la Colònia Castells blog.