From the Bunyola viewpoint, in El Prat de Llobregat, Miguel Torres has photographed the Antigua Caserna de los Carabineros for La Vanguardia's Readers' Photos. This barracks brings together many stories, since its occupants guarded the coast and controlled the entry of contraband tobacco and alcohol. But, they ran into an unexpected problem: the attack of the malaria mosquito.
This historic building is located on the first line of Prat beach, right at the mouth of the Llobregat Delta channel. The building consists of three parts, with an entrance in the middle and windows on the sides, as we see in the image.
This barracks belonged to the Royal Coast and Border Police Corps. It was built on March 9, 1829 with the aim of monitoring the coast, the rescue of shipwrecked people, and the entry of smuggled tobacco, according to Baix Llobregat Turisme.
Later, in 1833 it became the Corps of Carabineros of the Royal Treasury, an armed body with a similar purpose: to guard the coast and the border.
In addition, approximately 150 people lived in this barracks with their families. Until the 1940s, most guards primarily monitored the entry of contraband alcohol and tobacco.
With the arrival of the Civil War, in 1936, the police positioned themselves loyal to the Republic, a fact that led to reprisals later. In 1940 the barracks was dissolved and remained in the hands of the Civil Guard until 1970.
The dissolution of the barracks caused many police officers to be expelled and others joined the Civil Guard.
The location of the barracks did not help the walls to be in perfect condition. The proximity to the sea has caused the facades to be deteriorated and damp, which led to rebuilding the walls with materials that could withstand the humidity of the sea breeze.
Furthermore, the people who lived in that barracks did not have it easy at all, since being close to the Prat beach there was a greater chance of flooding. In fact, many carabineros died due to malaria, a disease caused by an infected mosquito bite.
Currently, the Carabiners Barracks is a free public access space for all citizens. Next to the barracks are the Mirador del Semáfor and the Mirador de la Bunyola, from where this photograph was taken. To enjoy the landscapes of Baix del Llobregat, there is a route known as La Ruta dels Carrabiners, 4.1 km one way, which starts in El Prat and ends at the Carrabiners building and the Semàfor Lookout.
