We have already seen changes in the pavement of Las Ramblas in some parts of its route, but few changes more noticeable on the surface of the promenade than the disappearance of one of its most historically iconic symbols: the kiosks of florists and aviaries that for decades have occupied the central section of the promenade.
Barcelona has announced the definitive dismantling of the 11 stands of ocellaires that occupied the final stretch of the Ramblas, the closest to the promenade.
This definitive dismantling of the stalls of the former aviaries comes after the City Council recovered their ownership by judicial authorization. The closure of these establishments was carried out in two phases: the first, on August 21, when the ownership of six of them was recovered; and the second, on September 16, when staff of the Municipal Institute of Markets of Barcelona (IMMB) recovered the keys of the remaining five stalls. Since then, all the stalls have remained closed and are now being removed.
An announced farewell
The former bird sellers stopped selling animals in 2009, transforming their businesses into kiosks selling ice cream, sweets, tickets, souvenirs, among other products. Their offer notoriously worsened the appearance of the promenade, with some kiosks converted, de facto, into souvenir stores or products intended exclusively for tourism.
For this reason, the Special Management Plan for the Rambla, approved in 2016, no longer contemplated its continuity. On June 14, 2021, the City Council notified the holders of the extinction of the concessions granted in 1971 for a period of 50 years.
And although those affected took legal action against this decision, all the resolutions have supported the municipal arguments, defending the disappearance of these establishments in favor of the general interest.
Farewell to half of the florists
This is not the first step in the cleanup of the promenade: in October, seven florists’ stalls that had fallen into disuse were already removed, although the eight that are still active will continue to operate and will be affected by the works on the promenade.
When the works require occupying the central part of the Rambla , the flower stalls will be temporarily moved to Plaça de Catalunya, to later return to their original location.
With these actions, Barcelona continues to work on the reform of Las Ramblas, which will involve a total restructuring of the most iconic promenade of the city. Throughout the duration of the works, the City Council has set up the Espai Rambla, an information point located on the first floor of the Palau de la Virreina, open from Monday to Friday, where you can obtain detailed information on the progress of the works and the future of the Rambla.