The Vapor Vell is a unique place to visit in Barcelona, a modern and charming library that offers a wide variety of services and activities.
The Vapor Vell is one of the most emblematic places in Barcelona. Located in the Sants neighborhood, it is an old steam factory that was renovated to become a modern library. This library is one of the main symbols of the city's industrial architecture and a unique place to visit.
History of Vapor Vell
An industrial past
In Barcelona the industrial revolution became especially important throughout the 19th century and around the textile industry. Being a walled city, the new factories were installed in the nearby towns, as was the case of Sants. In this former independent municipality, which today is a neighborhood integrated into the city, El Vapor Vell was installed, considered one of the first large modern factories in Catalonia and which included steam as an innovative element.
The building, owned by Güell, Ramis i Companyia, began to be built in 1844, and two years later production began, dedicated to velvet. It became one of the most important factories in the sector, since it gave work to thousands of workers, but the crisis in the cotton sector in 1889 led to its closure. The following year, Eusebi Güell, the son of the founder, transferred the activity to Colònia Güell, in Santa Coloma de Cervelló.
Culture in motion
Since then, the building has been put to many uses. One of the most curious was shortly after it was closed as a factory, when the pioneering filmmaker Fructuós Gelabert chose the patio as the main setting to shoot Fight in a café, considered the < strong>first fiction film in Spain.
Subsequently, it passed through many hands, from the CNT during the Civil War to the Rumasa company in the 1970s, until finally, in the mid-1980s, it was acquired by the City Council, which decided to turn the industrial complex into a neighborhood library, which was officially opened in 2000.
Considered historical monument and an asset of cultural interest, the building that today houses the modern Library Vapor Vell continues to be a driving force behind the neighborhood that promotes and develops culture in Sants. You can participate in talks, reading clubs, conferences, workshops and many more activities that take place every day in this space full of history and memory.
Vapor Vell Services
The Vapor Vell offers a wide variety of services and activities. Visitors can enjoy a large selection of books, magazines and audiovisual materials. In addition, there is a reading room with tables and chairs, a study room, a computer room, a games room and a cafeteria. The library also offers language courses, workshops and talks on topics related to culture and leisure.
Opening hours of El Vapor Vell
The Vapor Vell is open from Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. On Saturdays it is open from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The library is closed on Sundays and public holidays. In addition, there are a number of special hours during the summer months.
How to get to Vapor Vell
The Vapor Vell is located in the Sants neighborhood, in the Les Corts district. It is well connected by public transport, with nearby metro stops on lines L1, L3 and L5. Also, there are buses that stop near the library. Visitors can also arrive by car or bicycle.
Visit El Vapor Vell to discover one of the most emblematic places in Barcelona
The Vapor Vell is one of the main symbols of Barcelona's factory architecture. This old steam factory was converted into a modern library, offering a wide variety of services and activities. If you are looking for a unique place to visit in Barcelona, the Vapor Vell is an excellent option.