Jardins de les Voltes d'en Cirés

Jardins de les Voltes d'en Cirés is a small, unassuming neighborhood garden in the heart of Raval, one of Barcelona's most multicultural and lively districts. It sits on Carrer Nou de la Rambla, close to Avinguda de les Drassanes, surrounded by local institutions such as the CAP Drassanes health centre, the Drassanes Civic Centre and the Official School of Languages. This is a place built primarily for residents rather than visitors — families with children, older neighbours looking for shade and a quiet moment, and anyone wanting a green pause in the dense urban fabric of Ciutat Vella.

Where does the name come from?

The garden's name is not arbitrary — it recalls one of the streets of the old, once-notorious Barrio Chino (barri Xino), a district that for decades was associated with the colourful, gritty life of Barcelona's old port quarter. That street used to run beneath a vault ("volta" in Catalan) at number 57 of Carrer Nou de la Rambla. It disappeared in the 1960s, when the wide Avinguda de les Drassanes was opened as part of the redevelopment of this part of the city. Today's garden is, in a sense, a small memorial to a vanished corner of the urban fabric — a place whose name still echoes a piece of history that has physically disappeared.

What can you find here?

Jardins de les Voltes d'en Cirés is, first and foremost, a small-scale recreational space. It includes a children's play area and table-tennis tables that are popular with local youth. Benches shaded by trees make the garden function as a kind of open-air neighbourhood living room — a spot for residents to meet, chat and rest during a walk through Raval.

In summer, the square regularly turns into a stage for events organised by the Drassanes Civic Centre and local neighbourhood plans. Activities include bingo evenings, short-film screenings, gymnastics sessions, live performances, communal meals, themed walks, workshops and dance parties. The goal of this programming is to bring life back to public space and strengthen social ties in a densely populated district where green areas are genuinely scarce.

Who is this place for?

This garden is best appreciated by visitors looking for an authentic, unpretentious slice of Barcelona — away from the tourist bustle of La Rambla, even though it sits just a short walk from it. Families with young children will appreciate the playground, while anyone interested in the city's social history will find here a small but telling reference point to the vanished Barrio Chino. It's worth combining a visit with a walk through the surrounding streets of Raval and a stop at the nearby Drassanes, Barcelona's former royal shipyards, now home to the Maritime Museum.

Frequently asked questions

Is entry to the garden free? Yes, it is a public, freely accessible municipal green space, open every day.

Is there a playground for children? Yes, the garden includes a children's play area as well as table-tennis tables.

How do you get to Jardins de les Voltes d'en Cirés? The garden is located on Carrer Nou de la Rambla, near Avinguda de les Drassanes, an easy walk from Drassanes metro station (line L3).

Are any events held here? Yes, especially in summer, when the Drassanes Civic Centre organises neighbourhood activities such as bingo, film screenings, workshops, dance evenings and community gatherings.