The book documents more than 130 settings linked to sporting activity in Barcelona from the late 19th century to the present day, highlighting a heritage largely unknown to the general public.
The Fundació Barcelona Olímpica has presented the book “Espais esportius que han fet història a Barcelona” at an event held at the Barcelona City Council stand, located in the Hospitality area of the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell – Trofeo Conde de Godó, at the Reial Club de Tennis Barcelona-1899. The presentation was chaired by David Escudé, president of the Fundació Barcelona Olímpica and Councillor for Sports at Barcelona City Council; Francesc Terrón, director of the Fundació Barcelona Olímpica, and Pedro Hernández, co-author of the book representing all the authors: Joan Manuel Surroca, Juli Pernas, Luis Sánchez, Pedro Hernández and Raül Vázquez. Also notable was the presence of María Teresa Samaranch, member of the board of trustees of the Fundació Barcelona Olímpica; Jordi Tamayo, Catalonia Tennis Federation President, among other authorities.
The publication, produced by the Joan Antoni Samaranch Olympic Studies Centre, takes readers on a unique journey through time, uncovering more than 130 venues connected to sporting activity — including gymnasiums, sports halls, facilities and urban spaces — from the late 19th century to the present day. The result of exhaustive research, the book sheds light on the evolution of sport in Barcelona and its close relationship with the city’s social and urban transformation, bringing to the fore a heritage that has long gone unrecognised by the wider public.
The event forms part of the programme of activities promoted by Barcelona in connection with its designation as World Capital of Architecture, underscoring the link between sport, heritage and the city’s urban transformation. This initiative reinforces the Fundació Barcelona Olímpica’s commitment to research and the dissemination of knowledge about the history of sport.
The book is now available at the Museu Olímpic i de l’Esport Joan Antoni Samaranch shop and makes the perfect gift this Sant Jordi — Barcelona’s traditional book and rose celebration — for all lovers of sport and the history of the city.
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