L'Hospitalet de Llobregat
Encyclopedia
L'Hospitalet de Llobregat (ɫuspitəˈɫɛd də ʎuβɾəˈɣat) or briefly L'Hospitalet (ɫuspitəˈɫɛt) is a city to the immediate southwest of Barcelona
in Catalonia
, Spain
, and the second largest in Catalonia by population. L'Hospitalet de Llobregat is notable for being one of the most densely populated cities not just in Spain but also in the European Union
.
river area. Roman artefacts have been found dating to the 2nd century BC such as a funeral decoration representing the head of Medusa
now in the archaeological museum of Barcelona. However it is not until the 10th century that written references to Provençana (the city's original name) appear. The current name originates from the Catalan language
and derives from a hostel next to the Church 'Santa Eulàlia de Provençana' used by pilgrims in the Middle Ages. The city retained the character of a village until the 19th century when the first textile factories were built causing a population boom. The 1960s and 1970s saw a second population boom, caused by immigration from poorer regions of Spain: however this was not matched by construction of the necessary amenities and it was only in the 1990s that public investment resulted in additional schools, leisure facilities and housing.
The Swedish painter and former anarchist, later convert to Islam, Abd al-Hādī 'Aqīlī, formerly known as [[Ivan Aguéli]], died there, being killed by a train, in 1917.
Over 22% of the city's residential population was born outside of Spain, (mainly in Ecuador
, the Dominican Republic
and Morocco
). However the city has a large number of permanent or non-permanent residents from other countries of the European Union. Its population in the 2006 census consisted of 78% born in Spain (52% in Catalonia) and broke down as follows:
One of them follows the coast typology and is called La Marina, similarly to two coast areas of neighbouring Barcelona
's Zona Franca: La Marina del Prat Vermell
and La Marina de Port
. The latter half of L'Hospitalet is called El Samontà, which consists of hills and a more elevated area.
. The airline Spanair
's headquarters are located in L'Hospitalet. Former major Celestino Corbacho
has campaigned to improve the city's infrastructures from his position in the Ministry of Work.
El Centre is the historical center of the city, the oldest neighbourhood, where the City Council is, as well as the center of activities such as La Farga and many of the cultural buildings, such as the History Museum, the Can Sumarro library, the cultural center Barradas or the Sala Alexandre Cirici. It borders the district of Sanfeliu and Can Serra to the north, Bellvitge to the south, Sant Josep to the east, and the city of Cornellà de Llobregat
to the west.
Sant Josep remains framed by the square that is formed by the avenue of the Fabregada and that of Isabel la Catòlica to the west, the Torrent Gornal to the east, the railroad on the north side Carrilet to the south. In this area, all the industrial activities that Hospitalet had through the ages left their mark: from the flour mills and the distilleries, up to the different energetic exploitation of the waterfalls of the Canal de la Infanta or the ceramic, textile, metallurgical and chemical industries. In fact, Sant Josep was originally an industrial suburb, but the subsequent disappearance of many factories, as well as the population increase , have given it a residential character.
The civic life is centered around the avenue of the Cerezos and the Comunitats square. This public space is the scene of the greatest holiday celebrations, that takes place towards Sant Joan, of the Carnival and of many other popular events. The cultural center is also at the heart of many of the activities.
It is one of neighbourhoods with the most personality in the city, with a marked commercial character. Today, the Mercat square and the surroundings are the main center of civic life.
Its origins has been linked to Collblanc. Today, the Espanyola square and the new park of the Torrassa are the at heart of this neighbourhood and is where the holiday celebrations at the beginning of every summer are largest.
It is the smallest neighbourhood in the city.
In 1964 the Inmobiliaria Ciudad Condal S.A. (ICC) company initiated the construction of this neighbourhood as it stands nowadays, beside the hermitage, on land which had been bought from local farmers. It was designed as a residential area to house the large number of immigrants who came to Catalonia from elsewhere in Spain — more than 126,000 people in 1964 — in search of work.
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of...
in Catalonia
Catalonia
Catalonia is an autonomous community in northeastern Spain, with the official status of a "nationality" of Spain. Catalonia comprises four provinces: Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona. Its capital and largest city is Barcelona. Catalonia covers an area of 32,114 km² and has an...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, and the second largest in Catalonia by population. L'Hospitalet de Llobregat is notable for being one of the most densely populated cities not just in Spain but also in the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
.
History and toponymy
The first records of the settlement date to the Neolithic era with artefacts showing human habitation in the LlobregatLlobregat
The Llobregat is the second longest river in Catalonia, Spain. It originates in Castellar de n'Hug at an altitude of 1,259 meters in the Serra del Cadí, and ends in the Mediterranean Sea, in the municipality of El Prat de Llobregat, near Barcelona...
river area. Roman artefacts have been found dating to the 2nd century BC such as a funeral decoration representing the head of Medusa
Medusa
In Greek mythology Medusa , " guardian, protectress") was a Gorgon, a chthonic monster, and a daughter of Phorcys and Ceto. The author Hyginus, interposes a generation and gives Medusa another chthonic pair as parents. Gazing directly upon her would turn onlookers to stone...
now in the archaeological museum of Barcelona. However it is not until the 10th century that written references to Provençana (the city's original name) appear. The current name originates from the Catalan language
Catalan language
Catalan is a Romance language, the national and only official language of Andorra and a co-official language in the Spanish autonomous communities of Catalonia, the Balearic Islands and Valencian Community, where it is known as Valencian , as well as in the city of Alghero, on the Italian island...
and derives from a hostel next to the Church 'Santa Eulàlia de Provençana' used by pilgrims in the Middle Ages. The city retained the character of a village until the 19th century when the first textile factories were built causing a population boom. The 1960s and 1970s saw a second population boom, caused by immigration from poorer regions of Spain: however this was not matched by construction of the necessary amenities and it was only in the 1990s that public investment resulted in additional schools, leisure facilities and housing.
The Swedish painter and former anarchist, later convert to Islam, Abd al-Hādī 'Aqīlī, formerly known as [[Ivan Aguéli]], died there, being killed by a train, in 1917.
Demographics
| 1900 | 1930 | 1950 | 1970 | 1986 | 2006 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4948 | 37,650 | 71,580 | 241,978 | 279,779 | 261,310 |
Over 22% of the city's residential population was born outside of Spain, (mainly in Ecuador
Ecuador
Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border...
, the Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
and Morocco
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
). However the city has a large number of permanent or non-permanent residents from other countries of the European Union. Its population in the 2006 census consisted of 78% born in Spain (52% in Catalonia) and broke down as follows:
- Spain 207,930
- The Americas 35,628
- Africa 7,935
- Asia 5,375
- Europe (non-EU) 2,428
- European Union 2,004
- Oceania 10
Geography
L'Hospitalet's surface is of Area: 12.49 km². The area on which the city is constructed may be divided in two different geological areas.One of them follows the coast typology and is called La Marina, similarly to two coast areas of neighbouring Barcelona
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of...
's Zona Franca: La Marina del Prat Vermell
La Marina del Prat Vermell
La Marina del Prat Vermell is a neighborhood in the Sants-Montjuïc district of Barcelona, Catalonia . The name comes from fields that occupied this area of low part of la Marina de Sants...
and La Marina de Port
La Marina de Port
La Marina de Port is a neighborhood in the Sants-Montjuïc district of Barcelona, Catalonia , and is one of the two parts of la Marina de Sants. It lies between the districts of la Bordeta, la Marina del Prat Vermell ....
. The latter half of L'Hospitalet is called El Samontà, which consists of hills and a more elevated area.
Economy
The city's reputation is largely still that of a depressed suburb, drawing on its proletarian origins and its reliance on Barcelona. However, its economy has improved recently, as can be seen from the city's new skyline and relocation of companies to the city's new financial centre. Urban regeneration and construction have taken place during the 2000s, as well as ongoing work on improving public transportation in the second municipalitiy of the Barcelona metropolitan areaBarcelona metropolitan area
This article is about the metropolitan area. For the administrative area, see Àrea Metropolitana de Barcelona .Barcelona metropolitan area is the metropolitan area in Catalonia, north of Spain, centered on the city of Barcelona...
. The airline Spanair
Spanair
Spanair is a Spanish airline, with its head office in the Spanair Building in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, near Barcelona. It was, until 2009, a subsidiary of Scandinavian Airlines, which now holds slightly under 20% of the company. Spanair provides a scheduled passenger network within Spain and...
's headquarters are located in L'Hospitalet. Former major Celestino Corbacho
Celestino Corbacho
Celestino Corbacho Chaves is a Spanish politician, who is currently serving as Member of Catalan Parliament....
has campaigned to improve the city's infrastructures from his position in the Ministry of Work.
Skyscrapers
- Torre Realia BCNTorre Realia BCNTorre Realia BCN is a skyscraper near Plaza de Europa in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, a suburb of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. Completed in 2009, has 24 floors and rises 112 meters.- See also :...
(2009) - 119 meters - Completed - Hotel Porta FiraHotel Porta FiraHotel Porta Fira is a skyscraper hotel near Plaza de Europa in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, a suburb of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. It was the winner of the 2010 Gold Emporis Skyscraper Award. The 28-floor hotel has a height of 113 metres. Total floor area: 34,688.10 sq m...
(2010) - 118 meters - Completed - Hotel Catalonia Plaza EuropaHotel Catalonia Plaza EuropaHotel Catalonia Plaza Europa is a skyscraper and hotel in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat , Catalonia, Spain. Completed in 2011, has 26 floors and rises 105 metres. Lies on the Plaza de Europa 50....
(2011) - 105 meters - Under Construction - Hesperia TowerHesperia TowerThe Hesperia Tower is a hotel situated in the district of Bellvitge in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat , Catalonia, Spain.It has a tower of 28 storeys and . It was the tallest building in L'Hospitalet until the Plaza de Europa Towers were constructed. It is topped by a glass dome that contains a...
(2006) - 106 meters - Completed - Tower Caixa Catalunya (?) - 106 meters - Planned
- Torre InbisaTorre InbisaTorre Inbisa is a skyscraper in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat , Catalonia, Spain. Completed in 2008, has 25 floors and rises 104 meters. Lies on the Plaza de Europa 9....
(2008) - 104 meters - Completed - Torre ZenitTorre ZenitTorre Zenit is a skyscraper in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat , Catalonia, Spain. Completed in 2009, has 25 floors and rises 107 meters. Lies on the Plaza de Europa 21....
(2009) - 104 meters - Completed - Hospital de Bellvitge (1972) - 82 meters - Completed
- Tower Colonial (?) - 75 meters - Under Construction (on hold)
- Tower Fadesa I (2009) - 65 meters - Completed
- Tower Fadesa II (2009) - 65 meters - Completed
- Tower Fadesa III (2009) - 65 meters - Completed
- City Judicial Building A (2008) - 62 meters - Completed
- City Judicial Building C (2008) - 58 meters- Completed
District I
- El Centre
El Centre is the historical center of the city, the oldest neighbourhood, where the City Council is, as well as the center of activities such as La Farga and many of the cultural buildings, such as the History Museum, the Can Sumarro library, the cultural center Barradas or the Sala Alexandre Cirici. It borders the district of Sanfeliu and Can Serra to the north, Bellvitge to the south, Sant Josep to the east, and the city of Cornellà de Llobregat
Cornellà de Llobregat
Cornellà de Llobregat is a municipality in the comarca of the Baix Llobregat inCatalonia, Spain. It is situated on the left bank of the Llobregat river.- History :...
to the west.
- Sant Josep
Sant Josep remains framed by the square that is formed by the avenue of the Fabregada and that of Isabel la Catòlica to the west, the Torrent Gornal to the east, the railroad on the north side Carrilet to the south. In this area, all the industrial activities that Hospitalet had through the ages left their mark: from the flour mills and the distilleries, up to the different energetic exploitation of the waterfalls of the Canal de la Infanta or the ceramic, textile, metallurgical and chemical industries. In fact, Sant Josep was originally an industrial suburb, but the subsequent disappearance of many factories, as well as the population increase , have given it a residential character.
- Sanfeliu
The civic life is centered around the avenue of the Cerezos and the Comunitats square. This public space is the scene of the greatest holiday celebrations, that takes place towards Sant Joan, of the Carnival and of many other popular events. The cultural center is also at the heart of many of the activities.
District II
- Collblanc
It is one of neighbourhoods with the most personality in the city, with a marked commercial character. Today, the Mercat square and the surroundings are the main center of civic life.
- La Torrassa
Its origins has been linked to Collblanc. Today, the Espanyola square and the new park of the Torrassa are the at heart of this neighbourhood and is where the holiday celebrations at the beginning of every summer are largest.
District III
- Santa Eulàlia
- Gran Via Sud
It is the smallest neighbourhood in the city.
District IV
- La Florida
- Les Planes
District V
- Pubilla Casas
- Can Serra
District VI
- Bellvitge
In 1964 the Inmobiliaria Ciudad Condal S.A. (ICC) company initiated the construction of this neighbourhood as it stands nowadays, beside the hermitage, on land which had been bought from local farmers. It was designed as a residential area to house the large number of immigrants who came to Catalonia from elsewhere in Spain — more than 126,000 people in 1964 — in search of work.
- GornalGornal (L'Hospitalet de Llobregat)El Gornal, or simply Gornal, is a neighbourhood in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, belonging to the metropolitan area of Barcelona. It's part of District VI of L'Hospitalet, along with Bellvitge. Its creation started with the urban expansion of Bellvitge into empty terrains around Renfe railtracks...
See also
- List of municipalities in Barcelona
- Metropolitan area of Barcelona
- Zona Franca (Barcelona)Zona Franca (Barcelona)Zona Franca is a logistics and industrial area located in the Sants-Montjuïc district of Barcelona, Catalonia . It is near the C-31 road and la Marina de Sants , el Prat de Llobregat and l'Hospitalet de Llobregat...