Five years ago, with the recovery of the popular Escullera, Barcelona opened up a little more to the sea. The promenade that stretches from the extended Plaça Rosa dels Vents until it enters the sea was civically conquered by the people of Barcelona and is very frequented especially at weekends. Yesterday, with the inauguration of another parallel public space, another step was taken with the same objective: to improve the public connection with the Mediterranean. But, in addition, the new way for pedestrians, named Rambla de l'Escullera, is also designed as a kind of open-air museum that shows the history of the port.
Along with the inauguration of the Mirador building, which is right at the end of the new promenade, the opening of the Nova Bocana spaces in the city is completed. All in all, Barcelona gains another exceptional vantage point.
On the stairs that give access to the promenade, there is a printed photograph from the sixties of the last century of the east dike, which was popularly known as the Breakwater. At the other end of the new infrastructure, under which several businesses are located, two stone blocks from the original structure are exposed.
In the middle of the new promenade, some metal pieces on the ground trace a line that emulates the passage of the old dike, built between 1870 and 1874. At the entrance of the new building, an audiovisual titled Port, work, is projected city and, just before you get there, there is a model of the port. The recreation recalls what the Old Port was like in 1916, after the 1900 project was finished. It is followed by a darker pavement, which represents the land area of the port of Barcelona today. It makes it clear, as do the extensive views of the enclave that can be enjoyed from the promenade and from the roof of the Mirador building, that the scope of the port exceeds the administrative limits of the city of Barcelona.
During the walk you can also find some elements of vegetation. "We have created a unique space, it is not a fashionable place", described Joan Alemany, who has commissioned the cultural theme of the new public space. "It's something new that will set a trend for other ports", considered the historian in a press conference that took place inside the building that culminates the entire new route already open.
In fact, the opening day was marked by inclement weather, with gusts of strong wind and intermittent rain. Also due to the absence of the president of the Generalitat, Pere Aragonès, whose presence was planned, but was canceled for agenda reasons in the middle of the negotiations for the investiture of Pedro Sánchez.
"It's a fantastic performance that is part of the transformation process of the Old Port with public, private and public-private collaboration actions", considered the president of the Port of Barcelona, Lluís Salvadó. There are twenty projects and more than 120 million investment in the area of the port closest to the citizens. "We are making Barcelona closer to the sea", he added. Salvadó cited projects linked to the blue economy and the America's Cup. In fact, the new promenade is next to the base of Luna Rossa, the Italian team that will compete next year in the important sporting event.
At the same time, the president of the Port of Barcelona recalled that the development of the Nova Bocana comes from afar, with moments such as the opening of the W hotel. "A process is completed. It's been 35 years since the Port incorporated the development of the Nova Bocana into the planning," said Salvadó.
The latest chapter has been made possible thanks to an investment of 6.4 million euros by Marina Vela, the concessionary company in this area. As a counterpart, in a project that has undergone adaptations, the concession that was supposed to end, in principle, in 2044 is extended until 2049. The other parallel promenade opened in 2018 already followed the col scheme · public-private collaboration.
"Today an iconic space opens to the public that will make people talk a lot", said Alberto García, general manager of Marina Vela, who was "proud of the work done". García remarked that the place will be a "privileged space to watch the America's Cup". But, beyond the competition, according to García, it is a "place for citizens to enjoy the sea in a fun way".
The roof of the Mirador building will also be accessible to the public. But, if you can already enjoy the promenade, in the case of the new building you have to wait a little longer. In fact, Marina Vela is looking for someone who can manage the site's catering offer, which will have a popular canteen for workers in the area, a bar and a restaurant. The same roof will also have a catering service.
The general manager of Marina Vela explained that they are working with the aim of finding a "single operator". That is to say, that the same company takes over all the gastronomic spaces and services that will complete the offer of the new enclave. Alberto García remarked that he hopes to reach an agreement "in the coming weeks or months". "Whether it is or not, all services will be operational for the America's Cup", certified the head of the firm that manages this area.
