This area is one of the most important green spaces in the metropolitan area, as it includes open areas, an ecological reserve, and places for sports and leisure activities.
The neighborhood is located in the Sierra de Collserola area and is formed by three different areas: Vallvidrera, Tibidabo, and Les Planes.
Vallvidrera became part of Sarrià in 1890 and its history is linked to the church of Santa Maria de Vallvidrera, built between 1540 and 1587.
Urban development began in the second half of the 19th century. Improvements in accessibility (the first road was built in 1888, the Tramvia Blau in 1901, and the cable car in 1906) allowed urban expansion that transformed this area into a holiday destination for the residents of Barcelona.
Tibidabo is the highest peak in the Sierra de Collserola and an important leisure space for the city since the late 19th century when the Carretera de la Arrabassada was built in 1888. Since then, a series of facilities have been built: the Tibidabo amusement park (1901), the Fabra Observatory (1902-1904), and the Expiatory Temple of the Sacred Heart (built between 1902 and 1961). In 1992, in preparation for the Olympic Games, a new telecommunications tower designed by Norman Foster was inaugurated.
Les Planes, which includes the central areas of Mas Sauró, Mas Guimbau, and El Rectoret, is located on the northwest slope of the Sierra de Collserola. In the early 20th century, with its hotels and restaurants, this area became a popular holiday destination among Barcelona residents. Its transformation into a humble neighborhood without an urban plan began in the second half of the 20th century. In 1980, a renewal urban plan was approved, but it was not carried out until 1994.
Points of Interest & References:
- Collserola Tower: a contemporary telecommunications tower, designed by the renowned British architect Norman Foster. (Ctra. de Vallvidrera al Tibidabo, S/N)
- Villa Joana: the villa was originally a farmhouse built in the 19th century. Jacint Verdaguer, an important poet representative of Catalan literature, died here in 1902. (Ctra. de l'Església, 104, Vallvidrera)