The earliest preserved document referring to the parish term of Sant Andreu dates back to the year 990. However, it wasn't until 1716 that the town of Sant Andreu ceased to be part of Barcelona to become an independent entity. Its geographical location favored population growth, as it was situated on the road that connected the city of Barcelona with the Vallès region.
The former municipality of Sant Andreu del Palomar was integrated back into Barcelona in 1897. The term of the current district includes only a part of what was the municipality, which was the largest in the entire plain of Barcelona.
Currently, some areas of the district are undergoing a strong process of urban renewal, as one of the two stops in Barcelona for the high-speed train (AVE) connecting Spain with the rest of Europe is planned here.
The urban changes will affect some areas of the neighborhoods of La Sagrera, Sant Andreu, Bon Pastor, and Baró de Vivier. Among the major projects related to the construction of the AVE, there is a large linear park that will follow the train's route.
The neighborhoods of the district have diverse origins ranging from a predominantly rural vocation until well into the 20th century in the case of Trinitat Vella, to other neighborhoods that had their origins as areas of popular housing development such as Bon Pastor, Baró de Viver, Navas, El Congrés i els Indians. The latter was where Spanish landowners residing in Cuba settled after the country lost the colony of Cuba in 1898.
The current neighborhood of Sant Andreu maintains its old town, and it was the location of various companies since the 19th century. With the planning of the high-speed train station's surroundings, extensive residential and tertiary spaces will be created on both sides of the railway track, which will definitely drastically transform the area.
NEIGHBORHOODS OF SANT ANDREU:
Trinitat Vella, Baró de Viver, Bon Pastor, La Sagrera, Navas, El Congrés i els Indians, and Sant Andreu de Palomar.
Points of Interest and References:
- Casa Bloc: For those interested in architecture, Casa Bloc is a residential building designed and built between 1932 and 1934 by GATPAC under the rationalist guidelines of modern architecture. (Passeig de Torras i Bages 91-105)
- Can Fabra: These are cultural facilities housed in a building that was an industrial facility dating back to the 19th century. In 1839, Ferran Puig founded the textile factory that eventually became one of the most important in Europe (C/ Segre, 24-32)