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Barcelona's Occupied Heart: Squats, Struggle, and the Right to the City

9.8 km219 min6 stops

What awaits you on this Red Thread tour

Venture beyond the sun-drenched postcards of Barcelona and into its rebellious heart. This redthread tour uncovers the story of the 'okupa' movement—a decades-long struggle for space, dignity, and the very soul of the city. Guided by an academic and a local expert, you'll witness sites of fierce resistance, groundbreaking community projects, and the ghosts of lost battles. This isn't just a tour about squatting; it's a journey into an alternative vision of urban life, asking a profound question: who has the right to the city?

Itinerary

1

TOUR START

CSOA Can Vies

Site of a famous 2014 eviction battle that became a symbol of community resistance and the power of direct action.

CSOA Can Vies

Pic by Manuel C. on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

0.68 km • 11 min
2

STOP 2

Blocs-Onze - Can Batlló

A massive former industrial complex successfully reclaimed by the community through negotiation, now a model of self-management.

Blocs-Onze - Can Batlló

Pic by Enric on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

6.27 km • 105 min
During your walk

Interlude

An audio deep-dive into Barcelona's anarchist history, the ideological foundation of the Okupa movement.

3

STOP 3

Kasa de la Muntanya

One of Europe's oldest and most iconic squats, a symbol of longevity, resistance, and the anarchist roots of the movement.

Kasa de la Muntanya

Pic by Pere López Brosa on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

0.82 km • 14 min
4

STOP 4

Ateneu Llibertari de Gràcia

An anarchist cultural center that serves as the ideological heart of the movement, connecting it to Barcelona's deep radical history.

3.47 km • 58 min
During your walk

Interlude

The story of a famous squat's eviction and conversion into luxury apartments, illustrating the threat of gentrification.

5

STOP 5

Plaça dels Àngels (MACBA)

A public square and global skateboarding mecca that exemplifies the daily, informal struggle over the 'right to the city'.

Plaça dels Àngels (MACBA)

Pic by Enric on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

1.16 km • 19 min
6

END

Plaça de Sant Jaume

The political heart of Barcelona, where the grassroots demands of the Okupa movement confront the institutional power of the state.

Plaça de Sant Jaume

Pic by Michael Paraskevas on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Where the tour takes place

Starting point and rough tour area – the exact route unfolds in the app.

Good to know

  • Ideal for Urban explorers, sociologists, activists, and anyone interested in the hidden political currents that shape a city.
  • Best time Daytime, to best observe the life in and around the social centers and public squares.
  • What to bring Comfortable walking shoes are essential. You'll also need a Metro card for one part of the journey.
  • Be Respectful These are active community spaces and homes. Be mindful and respectful when observing and taking photos.
  • Stay Aware Like any major city, be aware of your surroundings, especially in busy public squares.
  • Your voucher You can redeem your voucher for two years from purchase. Once redeemed, you have 14 days of access and can enjoy the tour as often as you like during that time.

Your guide

Ian MacLeod
Audio sample
0:000:00

Ian MacLeod

  • Power, Protest & Civic Spaces
  • Scotland

Connoisseur of political movements. Traces the routes of protests and explains the power of public spaces.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get to the tour after buying?

You see your voucher code right after payment – and you also receive it at the email address you entered at checkout. Redeem that code in the Red Thread app; that's where the tour starts.

When does my access start?

Only when you redeem the code in the app, not at purchase. From redemption you have 14 days of access to the tour.

Do I need the Red Thread app?

Yes. The free Red Thread app turns your tour into a vivid experience: with audio, a map, and thoughtful prompts, it guides you from place to place in an engaging and entertaining way. It's available free for iOS and Android.

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