A Look At The Raval Neighborhood

While I did not actually go on the field trip with the class because I was in Tel Aviv, I decided to explore the Raval neighborhood on my own!

El Raval is a neighborhood located right near the port in the neighborhood of Ciutat Vella.  El Raval was previously known as Barri Xino, meaning "Chinatown".  There are two neighborhoods that border La Rambla, El Raval and the Gothic Quarter, two neighborhoods that I enjoy!  The top of El Raval is marked by Plaza Cataluyna and Universitat.  Carrer de Pelai connects the neighborhood and it ends with La Rambla on the east, and to the south there is Avinguda del Paral-lel.  Historically, El Raval is known for its nightlife and cabarets.  These are two positive aspects, however, as we have learned there are also a few negative associations with the neighborhood and that is crime and prostitution -- two things that I did not familiarize myself with in the neighborhood!

Today, the area of El Raval has a diverse immigrant population, with communities from Pakistan and Indonesia.  There is also a recent immigration of Eastern Europeans, specifically Romanians.  There are many bars and restaurants in this area.There are a lot of major sights in El Raval, some include the Monastery of Sant Pau del Camp, la Rambla del Raval, MACBA, CCCB, FAD, La Boqueria and more.  The neighborhood is broken up into two neighborhoods -- the public and the private.  In the public part of the neighborhood, there is the MACBA.  The MACBA is the Modern Art Museum of Barcelona. The museum opened to the public in 1995 and during the time of 1986 and 1996, El Raval seemed to flourish as a new neighborhood that was changing.  The MACBA hosts many modern and contemporary art.  The CCCB, Centre de Cultura Contemporania de Barcelona, is one of the most visited art centers in Barcelona. The area is also known for having a lot of skaters hang out. La Boqueria is located at St. Mercat Josep and is the market inside located on Las Ramblas.  It is one of the most touristy markets in Barelona.  Here are a few pictures from the market!

In the private part of the neighborhood includes Rambla Raval.  A few years ago, Hotel Barcelo was built on Rambla Raval which drew some tourists to this area.  Ideally, the area is good because it is right near the MACBA and CCCB, five minutes from Las Ramblas, ten minute walk to the port, and only five minutes from Plaza Cataluyna and Passeig de Gracia.

It is definitely a different kind of neighborhood and more modern than most in Barcelona.