La Vall d'Hebron

High-Rise Flats and Olympic Sports Facilities

La Vall d'Hebron Neighbourhood Map

Located on the maritime side of the Ronda de Dalt, La Vall d'Hebron neighbourhood is centred on a series of high-rise apartment blocks that were developed following the Pla Comarcal of 1953 and finally built in 1968.

Unlike many the neighbourhoods centred around nearby El Carmel, it is noticeable that the Vall d'Hebron is the result of planning and although not really to my liking, the apartment blocks are effective 1960s design.

The neighbourhood also conserves some of its original Catalan farmhouses such as Can Travi Nou and Can Travi Vell and the Marti-Codolar house, which is set in beautiful gardens and mixes elements spanning the 15th to the 19th century.

The Vall d'Hebron was also an important part of the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games, and the Centre Municipal de Tennis, the Pavelló de Pilota, the Centre Municipal d'Esports, a swimming pool and rugby and football pitches were also built specifcally for the purpose.

High Rise Apartment Blocks in La Vall d'Hebron

The temporary residences for referees and journalists were also built here before the games and once the Olympics were over these were converted into dwellings.

In the lower part of the neighbourhood, you can find a replica of the Pavelló de la República, which was originally designed by Catalan architects Josep Lluís Sert and Luis Lacasa for the 1937 International Exposition in Paris.

Picasso's Guernia, amongst other great pro-republican artworks was originally displayed here, and the replica was built for the 1992 Olympics to commemorate the Spanish Civil War.

The building now houses Fundació Figueres and the Centre d'Estudis Històrics Internacionals and a full size photo reproduction of Guernica is on display inside.

Els Mistos Sculpture in La Vall d'Hebron

Also worth a mention is Claes Oldenburg and Coosje Van Bruggen's brilliant Els Mistos - The Matches - sculpture, which was installed in 1987 and has become a symbol of the neighbourhood.

Metro Stations

• Mundet, Montbau - Blue L5 Metro Line 
• Vall d'Hebron - Blue L5 Metro Line, Green L3 Metro Line

• Return from La Vall d'Hebron to Horta-Guinardó
  
• Return to Barcelonas Home