Dipòsit d'aigües del Rei Martí

Dipòsit d'aigües del Rei Martí is an underground rainwater cistern in Barcelona, tucked right next to the famous Torre Bellesguard in the Sarrià-Sant Gervasi district. The site blends a medieval royal legend with 19th-century industrial architecture and now operates as a cultural space open to visitors.

Where does the name come from?

The name refers to King Martí l'Humà (Martin the Humane), the last ruler of the House of Barcelona, who spent the final months of his life, from 1408 to 1410, in a fortress that once stood on this hill. Antoni Gaudí later built the neo-Gothic Torre Bellesguard between 1900 and 1909 on the foundations of that royal residence — one of his lesser-known works. Documents mentioning a water reservoir at this location date back as far as the 14th century, though the structure visitors see today was built in the second half of the 19th century.

What will you actually see inside?

The interior is far larger than you'd expect from an ordinary water tank. It's a hypostyle hall covering 585 square meters, divided into seven long naves covered by Catalan vaulting. Brick arches rest on thirty square-section pillars, creating a rhythmic, almost sacred colonnade that fades into the half-light. The cistern once held over 2,000 cubic meters of water, drawn from an old mining gallery and from streams flowing down from the Pedralbes, Betlem, and Can Vilana forests — supplying the surrounding area before the city built its modern water network.

How did it survive to today?

The reservoir was forgotten and swallowed by a pine forest until it was accidentally rediscovered in 2001 during construction work. After the site was taken over by Barcelona City Council, it underwent a thorough restoration led by the architecture studio Archikubik (Marc Chalamanch, Miquel Lacasta, and Carme Santana). Work wrapped up in 2015, and the following year, in 2016, the dipòsit opened to the public as a new cultural venue, set on a 4,000-square-meter plot next to Bellesguard.

How do you get there?

The site sits at Carrer de Bellesguard 14, in a quiet, villa-lined stretch of Sarrià-Sant Gervasi known as Sant Gervasi - la Bonanova. This is one of the city's higher districts, well away from the crowded routes of central Barcelona, so it's worth pairing a visit with a look at Torre Bellesguard itself, which the cistern directly adjoins. For fans of Gaudí's architecture and medieval Catalan history, it's a natural addition to an itinerary that goes beyond the obvious sights.

When should you visit?

The cistern's interior is underground and stays cool year-round, making it a pleasant stop even in summer, when Barcelona's temperatures climb. The space is sometimes used for exhibitions and cultural events, so it's worth checking the current schedule before visiting, as opening access isn't guaranteed to be constant throughout the year.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is the Dipòsit d'aigües del Rei Martí? It's a former underground rainwater cistern, built in the 19th century on the site of a medieval fortress, now converted into a cultural space.

Why is it named after King Martí? Because a fortress once stood on this hill where King Martí l'Humà, the last ruler of the House of Barcelona, spent the final years of his life, from 1408 to 1410.

Is the cistern connected to Gaudí? Yes — it sits right next to Torre Bellesguard, which Antoni Gaudí designed between 1900 and 1909 on the foundations of the former royal residence.

When was this site discovered? By accident in 2001, during construction work — before that, the area had been overgrown by a forgotten pine forest.