Les dones del cànem

Les dones del cànem is a memorial plaque on Rambla del Poblenou in Barcelona, dedicated to the women who worked at the former jute-processing factory known as "El Cànem." It's a small but meaningful stop on the industrial and social history trail of the Poblenou neighborhood, honoring the working conditions of female laborers around the turn of the 20th century.

What was the "El Cànem" factory?

"El Cànem" was the popular name for a factory owned by the Godó brothers, founded in 1882 in Poblenou. The plant processed jute (the Catalan word "cànem" refers to hemp/jute fiber) into sacks and other textile materials used across trade and industry. This was the same Godó family who later became known as the founders of "La Vanguardia," one of Spain's leading newspapers. At its peak, the factory employed as many as roughly two thousand workers, the vast majority of them women and children.

Why were the workers nicknamed "xinxes"?

Jute processing was physically demanding and unhealthy work. Dust released during fiber treatment clung to the workers' skin and clothing, leaving behind a strong, lingering smell that was hard to wash off. This is the association behind "xinxes," the nickname given to the women who worked at the factory — though some accounts also tie it to the rush with which they dashed out during their short, half-hour breakfast break to shop at the nearby market before returning to their shifts. The plaque on Rambla del Poblenou restores the memory of these women and the exhausting daily grind that, for decades, stayed in the shadow of the industrialists whose names made the history books.

Why is this spot worth a stop?

In the 19th century, Poblenou earned the nickname "the Catalan Manchester" for its dense cluster of factory chimneys and textile plants that powered Barcelona's industrial growth. The plaque honoring the "El Cànem" workers is part of a broader effort to commemorate women's labor history in this part of the city, alongside surviving factory walls, chimneys, and industrial halls now converted into lofts and offices. It's a stop for travelers who want to see a side of Barcelona beyond the tourist center — a city built on work, sweat, and the everyday struggle of ordinary Poblenou women.

How do you get there and when should you visit?

Rambla del Poblenou is the neighborhood's main tree-lined promenade, easily reached by metro (line L4, stations like Poblenou or Llacuna) or by tram. Walking its length takes fifteen to twenty minutes and pairs well with a visit to nearby Bogatell beach or other traces of the district's industrial past, such as old factory chimneys or the Can Framis art center. Spring and autumn are the best times to stroll here, when temperatures are milder than in peak summer and the Rambla itself is busy with local cafés and shops.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the plaque located? The plaque commemorating the "El Cànem" factory workers stands on Rambla del Poblenou, the main promenade of Barcelona's Poblenou neighborhood.

Are any of the original factory buildings still standing? The factory itself no longer survives in its original form, but the surrounding Poblenou area still holds traces of its industrial past — chimneys, warehouses, and walls dating from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

How much time should I set aside for this stop? The plaque itself takes only a few minutes to see, but it's worth combining with a longer walk along Rambla del Poblenou and the surrounding streets of the former industrial district — plan for about an hour.

Why does this site matter historically? The plaque highlights the role of women and children in Barcelona's industry at the turn of the 20th century — workers whose contribution long remained invisible in the official story of the city's growth.