Jardins de Montserrat Figueras

Jardins de Montserrat Figueras is a quiet pocket garden tucked inside a residential block in Barcelona's Eixample district, reached at Carrer de Còrsega 197, between Casanova and Villarroel streets. It belongs to a distinctive category of Barcelona green space known as an "interior d'illa" — a block-interior courtyard reclaimed from once-built-up 19th-century Eixample blocks and turned into a public garden, part of a citywide push to give residents patches of greenery hidden just steps from busy avenues.

Who was the garden named after?

The garden honors Montserrat Figueras (1942–2011), a Catalan soprano widely regarded as one of the defining voices in early music — medieval, Renaissance and Baroque repertoire. Alongside her husband, viol player and conductor Jordi Savall, she co-founded the ensembles Hespèrion XX and La Capella Reial de Catalunya, and together they launched the record label Alia Vox, releasing dozens of recordings that brought centuries-old repertoire to modern audiences. Dedicating a municipal garden to her name was part of Barcelona's broader initiative to feminize the naming of public spaces, giving women a more visible place on the city's map.

At the unveiling of the commemorative plaque, Jordi Savall himself spoke, and the couple's children, Ferran and Arianna Savall, performed a short piece of music in their mother's memory. Arianna later remarked that the garden felt like a fitting tribute, since her mother held a deep love of nature.

What will you find inside?

Covering roughly 1,500 to 1,600 square meters, the garden is compact but layered with detail. A perimeter path links several seating areas planted with varied, seasonally shifting vegetation. A pergola draped in wisteria provides shade through the warmer months, alongside beds of agapanthus lending color in summer. Two children's play areas, set on sandy ground, sit within the grounds, and the whole space was designed with accessibility in mind, with paths suited to wheelchair users.

The garden was shaped by landscape architects associated with a studio specializing in reviving Eixample block interiors, who converted a partially built-up plot into a coherent, self-contained green space. Its appeal lies not in scale but in intimacy — a rare quality in one of Barcelona's densest neighborhoods.

How do you get there?

The garden sits in the heart of Antiga Esquerra de l'Eixample, close to Hospital Clínic. The easiest approach is by metro: Hospital Clínic station (line L5) is only a few minutes' walk away, and several bus routes run along Carrer de Villarroel and Carrer de Casanova. The entrance into the block interior is easy to miss from the street, so it helps to head straight for the address: Carrer de Còrsega 197.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring and early summer show the garden at its best, when the wisteria on the pergola blooms and the agapanthus beds come into color. In summer, the shade beneath the pergola makes it a welcome midday stop while exploring the Eixample. Given its small footprint, it's worth visiting outside peak hours, when local families bring children to the play areas — a quieter visit makes the garden's calm easier to appreciate.

Frequently asked questions

Is entry to the garden free? Yes, it is a public municipal garden with free access, like most block-interior gardens across Barcelona.

Is it suitable for visiting with children? Yes, there are two children's play areas set on sandy ground, making it a good stop for families touring the Eixample.

Who was Montserrat Figueras? A celebrated Catalan soprano specializing in early music, married to and artistic partner of Jordi Savall, and co-founder of Hespèrion XX, La Capella Reial de Catalunya and the Alia Vox record label.

What's the easiest way to find the garden? Head for Carrer de Còrsega 197, between Casanova and Villarroel streets, close to the Hospital Clínic metro station (line L5).