The rugged terrain formed by hills, ravines, and gorges helps explain why this area was scarcely inhabited for many years, surrounding its small urban center. The name comes from a small rural parish dedicated to the patron saint San Gervasio. The parish became a municipality in 1716, bringing along its governing bodies.
The history of this small town began in the mid-19th century, forty years before Barcelona absorbed it into its municipal area in 1897. Initially, the neighborhood was a parish with a series of scattered rural houses.
Urban growth began when Sant Gervasi became the holiday destination for the Barcelona bourgeoisie, which saw the construction of the first urban developments.
The second half of the 19th century was particularly active in terms of land occupation through old farmhouses, holiday chalets, artisan houses, convents, religious schools, and small shareholder houses.
This is still present in the upper area of the neighborhood, known as La Bonanova, although many old mansions or towers (as they are known in Catalan) have been replaced by blocks of luxury apartment complexes, helping to make this area one of the most exclusive in the city.
Points of Interest & References:
- CosmoCaixa: Science museum, located in a former home for the blind, designed by architect Josep Doménech i Estapá (1904-1909). The building was rehabilitated in the 1980s to house the museum. In 2004, a second renovation project established the current CosmoCaixa museum here. (C/ Isaac Newton 26)
- Monastery of Santa Maria de Valldonzella: The Cistercian nuns founded it in 1237. After changing location several times, the monastery was founded in the current building, designed by architect Bernardí Martorell in 1913. (C/ del Císter 41)
- Casa Figueres: Known as Bellesguard, this house was designed by Antoni Gaudí and built between 1900 and 1909. (C/ Bellesguard 16)