The secrets of Sant Gervasi I: La Bonanova and the Three Towers

• Past Tours

DATE: 30 April at 5 p.m.

The ancient village of Sant Gervasi de Cassoles was located on the slopes of Tibidabo, between the mountain and the plain. Its rugged geography, with torrents and hills, explains why it remained sparsely populated for many years and did not have a strong nucleus. The name Sant Gervasi comes from a small rural church dedicated to this saint and it is believed that the toponym Cassoles is a contraction of cases soles (single houses). In the 10th century it was part of the municipality of Sarrià, until 1714 when it was declared an autonomous municipality. Its first town council was constituted in 1727 and, in 1897, it was annexed to Barcelona.

In the middle of the 19th century, Sant Gervasi was discovered by the Barcelona bourgeoisie and the first urbanizations began. Owners such as Mandri or Ganduxer gave their names to some of the streets they opened. In little more than fifty years it ceased to be a small village of peasants to become a residential area with old manor houses, summer villas, houses of artisans, convents and religious schools, artisans and small rentiers. This character is still largely preserved in the upper part of the neighborhood, known as Bonanova, although many towers have been replaced by high-rise apartment blocks.

During the guided tour, we will have the opportunity to discover the history of the neighborhood and admire some of its most outstanding buildings (the Rotonda, the Frare Blanc, the Gaudinian Torre Bellesguard…); stroll through the cemetery and the beautiful gardens of La Tamarita; discover the history of the former asylum for blind girls (today Cosmocaixa), etc.

MAXIMUM 15 PEOPLE

GUIDE: TONI BELLIDO