22@ Industrial Relics Trail

The industrial revolution that took place in Catalonia in the 19th century and the growth of the textile industry, led to the building of many factories in the Poblenou district, which became known as the Catalan Manchester. This development was made possible by the construction of two railway lines connecting the port with the industrial buildings. This is how Poblenou became Barcelona's main industrial neighbourhood and one of the country's most important drivers of the economy.

However, in the 1960s, the factories in Poblenou faced a decline in fortunes due to the crisis in the textile sector and they had to reinvent themselves. Many industrial-style buildings were repurposed as art labs, technology innovation hubs and training centres. Some of them are housed in the original industrial buildings, and retain the façades and chimneys.

The transformation of Poblenou began with the 1992 Olympic Games, and the building of the Vila Olímpica and Port Olímpic. In the early 21st century, Barcelona City Council launched the ambitious project 22@, a plan that set out to restore and redevelop the neighbourhood's industrial facilities that had fallen into disuse.

If you love industrial tourism, we invite you to step back in time and enjoy this unique and different visit to Poblenou. The trail will take you to its last industrial relics and give you the opportunity to admire their architecture.