(Archive of the Port Authority of Barcelona)
The first project designed by the engineer Josep Rafo i Tolosa, approved in 1860, consisted of building the East dyke, the West dyke, – or counterdyke – and three large wharves leading to three docks and a pre-port area. The project was implemented basically between 1869 and 1875, and only the outer infrastructures of the East and West dykes were built, as well as the shore-side wharves.
(Archive of the Port Authority of Barcelona)
The inner layout of the wharves and docks was not executed according to the 1860 proposal, since another project, which had been produced by the first director of the
Board of Work, the Engineer Mauricio Garrán, was approved in 1873. The work performed between 1869 and 1875 began to overcome the age-old problems of lack of protection and in-fill and prompted a major growth in traffic over the last three decades of the 19th century.
The port that emerged from the work of the projects approved in 1860 and 1873 went on to host key events in the city, such as the Universal Expo of 1888. The picture shows the squadrons anchored in the port for the opening of the Universal Expo. Drawing by
A. Caula. AHCB
The project devised in 1900 by the engineer Carlos de Angulo. Archive of the Port Authority of Barcelona
The project devised in 1900 by the engineer Carlos de Angulo. Archive of the Port Authority of Barcelona
The project devised in 1900 by the engineer Carlos de Angulo. Archive of the Port Authority of Barcelona
Overhead crane for loading blocks onto barges (1905). Archive of the Port Authority of Barcelona
Transportation of a large block to be installed at the base of the dyke (1905). Archive of the Port Authority of Barcelona
First electrically-operated cranes in the Barceloneta warehouses (1905). Archive of the Port Authority of Barcelona
Inside of a warehouse on the Barceloneta wharf (1906). Archive of the Port Authority of Barcelona
Passenger jetty at the Portal de la Pau building (1907). Archive of the Port Authority of Barcelona
Façade of the passenger jetty at the Portal de la Pau building (1913). Archive of the Port Authority of Barcelona
A block being launched into the water from a special pontoon on wheels (1915). Archive of the Port Authority of Barcelona
Six-masted American schooner for transporting coal (1917). Archive of the Port Authority of Barcelona
Wagons being loaded with a derrick on the Drassanes. Wharf (1925). Archive of the Port Authority of Barcelona
Trolley used to haul planks of wood (1927). Archive of the Port Authority of Barcelona
Bales of cotton being loaded with a mobile crane (1928). Archive of the Port Authority of Barcelona
Strolling along the Breakwater on a holiday (1929). Archive of the Port Authority of Barcelona
The 1998 Masterplan, Archive of the Port Authority of Barcelona
The 1998 Masterplan, Archive of the Port Authority of Barcelona
Completed new port entrance area with ongoing hotel construction (2008). Òscar Ferrer. APB
Work on the South dyke and the Prat wharf after the river Llobregat estuary was diverted two kilometres south (2010). Nacho Vaquero. APB
World Trade Centre Building that houses the Port Authority of Barcelona offices (2016).
Ramon Vilalta. APB
Grain silos on the Counter-dyke wharf (2017). Ramon Vilalta. APB
The new ICL terminal, in the building stage, in the foreground, and the Energy wharf in the background (2019). Ramon Vilalta. APB
Specialised automotive loading facility, Logistical Activity Zone (ZAL)
APM terminal on the South wharf and ocean liner terminals on the Adossat wharf (2019). Ramon Vilalta. APB
First-ever mooring at the BEST terminal (2012). Ramon Vilalta. APB
The ZAL and the BEST terminal. Ramon Vilalta. APB
Beach, port and new port entrance (2019). Ramon Vilalta. APB
Map from 1942 showing the destruction wreaked by the bombing. Archive of the Port Authority of Barcelona
Map from 1942 showing the destruction wreaked by the bombing. Archive of the Port Authority of Barcelona
Aerial view of the port (1935). Archive of the Port Authority of Barcelona
Aerial view of the port (1935). Archive of the Port Authority of Barcelona
Aerial view of the port (1935). Archive of the Port Authority of Barcelona
Seat-make cars being shipped to Yugoslavia (1969). Pérez de Rozas. AFB
Strolling along the Breakwater (1960s). Archive of the Port Authority of Barcelona
