A historical walk through the gardens of the Baluard and the Santa Madrona Gate

If you want to travel back in time to the heart of Barcelona, don't miss a visit to the gardens of the Baluard and the Santa Madrona gate, two areas guarded by the Associació de Recreació Històrica de la Coronela de Barcelona (Association for the Historical Recreation of the Crown of Barcelona). The Maritime Museum opens the doors of these areas on the first and third Sundays of every month, so that you can delve into the history of the city and explore the remains of the old fortification.

The Baluard garden, located on the 14th century wall, offers a unique green space in the very centre of the city, from where you can contemplate the remains of one of the oldest fortifications still preserved. The Drassanes bastion (in reality, half a bastion) is a defensive construction from the 17th century designed for modern warfare, capable of resisting artillery and, at the same time, designed to be an easily defended fortification. On the other hand, Santa Madrona’s gate, is the only one preserved from the medieval wall of Barcelona, is one of the many gates that formerly barricaded the city every night, protecting the inhabitants and controlling access.

In 1854, when the demolition of the walls surrounding Barcelona began, only the section of the medieval wall of the Drassanes Reials, the Santa Madrona gate and the Drassanes bastion were preserved, as they formed part of a military installation. The 14th-15th century section of the wall is the last fragment to be preserved, including two towers from the 13th century. 

The whole of the wall and the bastion have been transformed into a garden area that can be visited, a part of the city where it is possible to stroll around with the feeling of living a few centuries ago.

Take the opportunity to immerse yourself in the history of Barcelona with a visit to the Baluard garden and the Santa Madrona gate on 15 September, from 11 am to 2 pm. Apart from this date, you can go there on the first and third Sunday of each month. Please note that access to the gardens of the Baluard is difficult for people with reduced mobility. Admission is free and if you would like more information, please consult the Barcelona Maritime Museum website.