Barcelona's ombudsman, David Bondia, has denounced the "evident" degradation of the Rubió i Lluch gardens in the city's central Raval district. He recently issued a resolution calling for urgent action from the Barcelona City Council to address the significant decline of this national cultural heritage site.
The gardens, accessed via Carrer de l'Hospital and Carrer del Carme, house the Biblioteca de Catalunya and the Institut d'Estudis Catalans. Mr Bondia noted that the area suffers from neglect, dirt, drug use, and the presence of homeless individuals. He stated in his resolution that the gardens exhibit "significant deficiencies". This abandonment of the gardens, which include the cloister and facade of the former Hospital de la Santa Creu, has persisted for years.
Ombudsman Highlights Neglect and Urges Action
Mr Bondia's resolution recommends that the Barcelona City Council reinforce ordinary maintenance and sanitation efforts. This includes intensifying cleaning, disinfection, and general care of the space. The goal is to ensure optimal conditions for public use and coexistence within the gardens. Additionally, the ombudsman considers it essential to implement a specific preventive conservation programme for the heritage site. This programme would guarantee the proper preservation of its architectural elements, preventing more severe deterioration.
Furthermore, Mr Bondia believes the Ciutat Vella district must strengthen social intervention. This requires coordinated action from municipal social services. The aim is to provide adequate care for homeless individuals and minimise the impact these situations have on the management and conservation of the heritage complex. The Rubió i Lluch gardens are a vital green space in the densely populated Raval, a district within Ciutat Vella, home to approximately 100,000 residents.
Major Revitalisation Plans Underway in Raval
Meanwhile, the Barcelona City Council has already approved plans to rehabilitate the cloister and facade of the Antic Hospital de la Santa Creu. The government commission approved the project on 18 September, allocating over €1.2 million for the cloister and more than €600,000 for the facade facing Carrer de l'Hospital. The City Council is preparing to transform the entire Antic Hospital de la Santa Creu into a major cultural hub. This transformation includes expanding the Biblioteca de Catalunya and opening a new district library within the complex.
This historic building's renovation will encompass an area of 12,000 square metres. The municipal intervention in this part of the Raval extends further, with a planned investment exceeding €72 million over approximately eight years, the City Council explained. Officials expect the former Massana school building, which has been occupied for some time, to be demolished in early 2025. This area will then serve to expand the current Escola Massana art and design school located in Plaça de la Gardunya. Additionally, the project will create a new connection between the gardens and Plaça de la Gardunya, which will undergo a complete remodelling. This connection will establish a new entrance to the gardens, enhancing accessibility and integrating the spaces more effectively.
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Originally published by Tot Barcelona. Read original article.
