English
The Convent de Sant Agustí, also known as Sant Agustí Vell, is a unique space from the fourteenth century, which now is used as a district activity center and a bar. It is located in the Ciutat Vella, particularly in the area of ??the Riviera (between Santa Caterina and Sant Pere, next to the Borne neighbourhood). The main axis, both physical and functional is the charming Gothic cloister where we find the two main entrances to the enclosure, the main street in Commerce Street number 36 and a back entrance in the square of the Academy and Tantarantana Street, which has built annexed building for the center´s activities.
The convent has seven centuries of history behind it as the first stone was laid in 1349 and continued until the eighteenth century building. The pumps of 1714 and the construction of the Military Citadel in 1716 affected the convent so that part of the building had to be moved into the Hospital street (in the Raval) and is what is now known as Sant Agustí Nou (new) .
Since its inauguration by the community of Augustinian friars, it has always been very close to the guilds of the city, especially to the tanners, as their walled settlement was near the Rec Comtal, through which water passed and was used to work skin and leather. Proof of this is the altarpiece (1436-1486) that the same guild commissioned the painter Jaume Huguet for the missing altar of the church which today can be seen partially in the MNAC and the Museum Marés.
Between 1738 and 1748 restoration works led by Pere Bertran were carried out. Since then the building has been used for various purposes, for military barracks and a bakery …
Since the 90´s this place has been recovering as a space for citizen activities, still keeping the Gothic cloister and the west wing, where five chapels have been recovered.
What does it offer? The Convent de Sant Agustí has ??a wide range of activities and cultural offerings, from quarterly workshops of music and new technologies exhibitions, concerts and neighborhood projects. Moreover, it not only gives assignment of space for those who request it, but a platform for the dissemination of emerging artists and collective communities. as far as cultural programming, but I must say that as a civic center it is also a meeting place where children and youth can develop skills and talent
It is finally worth mentioning the Bar Convent, which intended to be useful for everyone, from the oldest to the youngest person, has the same philosophy as the center, enhance a social community development for projects to boost the local economy. So, it offeres homemade products that prioritize the use of commercial networks in the neighborhood and consumer cooperatives or networks.
As defined by its director, Jordi Fabregas, the Convent de Sant Agustí “is a small oasis in Ciutat Vella”. “It´s a nice environment that gives added value to the proposed Civic Center»
For more information:
http://www.bcn.es/centrecivicsantagusti/castellano/index.html
If you´re looking for apartments in Barcelona do not hesitate to go through the Sant Agustí Convent and enjoy their cultural programming, as well as a good home cooked meal in a a very special way illuminated Gothic cloister environment
Translated by: Marc
