The Arxiu Històric del Poblenou Celebrates 50 Years

The Arxiu Històric del Poblenou is celebrating half a century as a key reference in the research, preservation, and dissemination of the collective memory of the Poblenou neighbourhood in Barcelona. Founded in 1976 by three young students determined to recover the forgotten history of their surroundings, the Archive has grown from its first boxes of photographs into a documentation centre that safeguards and shares a rich documentary heritage about the neighbourhood’s life, industry, and society.

Over these fifty years, the Archive —run entirely by volunteers— has expanded its role beyond the simple conservation of texts and images: it offers consultations, reproductions, publications, exhibitions, guided tours, and talks that connect past and present. It has received recognition for its outreach work and has consolidated its headquarters in the historic Torre de les Aigües del Besòs, a symbol of the neighbourhood’s industrial legacy.

Beyond records and documents, the organisation is today a vibrant space for intergenerational encounters and reflection on how Poblenou’s history shapes collective identity. The celebration of its 50th anniversary includes special activities, exhibitions, and initiatives that invite residents, researchers, and visitors to discover and appreciate the history of the neighbourhood.