A palpable sense of fear is spreading among the women of Poble Sec, prompting many to alter their daily routines and avoid the once-cherished green slopes of Montjuïc. A recent string of sexual assaults and a perceived decline in safety have left residents feeling vulnerable in one of Barcelona’s most iconic public spaces.
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One long-term resident of the neighbourhood, who wished to remain anonymous, recounted a terrifying experience that now forces her to carry a self-defence spray. “I had just dropped my child at school and was walking down the hill, looking at my phone,” she told La Vanguardia. “Suddenly this man lunged at me. He didn’t try to take my phone. It was a sexual assault.”
“He tried to grab me and pull me towards him. I managed to break free and ran for it. He started screaming that he was going to kill me and began throwing stones. Since then, I never go down alone and I always carry the spray.”
Her fear is not an isolated case. The story is one of many that has circulated through the community, feeding a growing unease about the paths and parks that connect the Poble Sec neighbourhood to the historic hill of Montjuïc. Areas once popular for a quiet stroll, such as the Jardins de Laribal, Jacint Verdaguer, and the park de la Primavera, are now being avoided.
A Complex Social Landscape
Residents point to a significant change in the social fabric of the mountain over the past year. While a small number of people have always lived informally on Montjuïc, the presence of shacks and tents has expanded, now numbering an estimated 200 people living in a variety of conditions. “You always had to be a bit careful,” explained another local woman, “but in the last year, it has all become much worse. Now we have people living all over the mountain, a very mixed group of people.”
The community is quick to point out the complexity of the situation, stressing the need to avoid generalisations. They describe a diverse population living on the slopes: some are simply trying to find work and escape difficult circumstances, while others struggle with alcohol, drug addiction, or mental health issues. A third group, they fear, may be using the mountain as a hideout from the law.
This has led to a rise in troubling incidents. An exhibitionist was recently reported near a school, more used syringes are being found, and a man was arrested for throwing stones at a school bus. The recent confirmation of a brutal rape in the nearby Mossèn Costa i Llobera Gardens has crystallised the community’s fears, marking a grim turning point for many.
Problems Spill into the Neighbourhood
The sense of insecurity is no longer confined to the mountain’s paths. The issue has visibly spilled into the streets of Poble Sec itself. Tents are now a common sight along Avinguda del Paral·lel, and a makeshift settlement in the Plaça de les Tres Xemeneies has become a focal point of resident complaints.
Representatives for a federation of eight housing communities in the area describe a frustrating daily cycle. “Many mornings, the Guardia Urbana and cleaning services come, wake them up, and clean the area,” they said. “The people from the settlement leave, only to return in the afternoon.” While some cause no trouble, they report others drinking, engaging in drug dealing, and using the square as a public toilet, making parents reluctant to use the adjacent playground.
The Poble Sec neighbourhood association says official responses have been inadequate. They are calling for decisive social policies and better coordination between the Barcelona City Council and the Generalitat de Catalunya, the Catalan government. “We cannot criminalise the homeless,” a spokesperson stated. “Dismantling a few shacks only moves the problem elsewhere. We need dedicated social policies.”
The association is also demanding more police patrols on foot, arguing that criminals are exploiting the mountain’s terrain to hide. The situation highlights a broader challenge in managing public safety. While overall crime statistics in Catalonia have recently shown a decrease, specific violent offences like sexual assaults have been on the rise, creating acute pockets of fear and straining the social fabric that connects communities like Poble Sec to their public spaces.
As residents feel increasingly ignored, there is a growing concern that frustration could lead to more radical and divisive proposals, complicating an already delicate social issue.
