Barcelona City Council has distanced itself from a proposed Antoni Gaudí museum at the Teresian College in the Tres Torres neighbourhood. This follows protests by parents concerned about the potential impact of increased tourism on the school environment. The council states it has received no formal proposal for the project.
Culture Councillor Xavier Marcé confirmed the City Council currently holds no official position on the museum. He explained that all available information "comes from a press release made public during the Pope's visit to Barcelona." Marcé added, "For now, it is a strictly private matter," as no permission requests or urban planning changes have reached the council.
The proposed museum would occupy nearly 3,000 square metres across the first three floors of the college's historic building. Antoni Gaudí designed this specific building, making it a significant architectural site in Barcelona. However, the plan has generated opposition from families whose children attend the school.
Parent Concerns Over Tourism
Around 100 people gathered on Ganduxer street last Monday, protesting the potential conversion of part of the educational centre. Their primary concern involves the coexistence between daily school life and the increased tourist activity a Gaudí-related attraction would bring. The Tres Torres neighbourhood, part of the Sarrià-Sant Gervasi district, is largely residential. Residents value its quieter atmosphere compared to more central tourist hubs.
Barcelona already manages large tourist flows to Gaudí's other iconic works. These include the Sagrada Família, La Pedrera, and Park Güell. Adding another major Gaudí attraction could intensify pressure on local infrastructure and daily life for residents. Parents fear potential disruption from visitor traffic and noise near the school.
College Plans and Investment
IngeniaCultura, the company partnering with the Teresian College on this project, plans an investment of between six and seven million euros. This funding would go towards renovating the convent residence within the college grounds. Historically, this residence also served as a teaching space for the school.
The number of nuns residing at the college has significantly decreased over the decades. In the 1970s, approximately 80 nuns lived there; today, only four remain. The proposal suggests these remaining nuns would relocate to the top floor, thereby freeing the lower three floors for public exhibition space. This move would allow the college to open Gaudí's original architecture to visitors, potentially generating revenue for the institution.
City Council's Future Stance
Councillor Marcé emphasised that the City Council will evaluate "all elements" if the Teresian College and IngeniaCultura eventually submit a formal proposal. He noted that it is "premature to say anything because no process is underway in either the Sarrià-Sant Gervasi district or the City Council." The council will consider the project's appropriateness once a detailed plan arrives. This includes assessing its urban impact and how it aligns with the city's broader tourism and educational policies. Any decision will require careful consideration of both the cultural value and the community's concerns.
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Originally published by La Vanguardia Barcelona. Read original article.
