L'Hospitalet is set to participate in the 48h Open House BCN, an architectural festival that allows visitors to explore 15 notable buildings in the city. This year's event will take place on the weekend of 24 and 25 October, featuring guided tours that delve into the local heritage.
The 17th edition of the festival aims to provoke thought about life without architecture and to raise awareness of its role in daily life. Participants are encouraged to observe the spaces where everyday activities occur and to understand how these environments shape the way residents inhabit and utilise the city.
This year's programme includes a diverse range of sites, such as the masía of Can Samsó, which preserves the agricultural history of the area, and the courtyard of Casa Gralla, a Renaissance-style space located within the Prosegur building. Also featured is the Galería Alegría, established in 2020 in a former industrial warehouse in the Torrassa neighbourhood, dedicated to contemporary art, and Vitralls Bonet, a company founded in 1923, where visitors can learn about the workshop's stained glass projects linked to Catalan architectural heritage.
Among the accessible buildings is the Casa de la Vila, the town hall of L'Hospitalet. This neoclassical structure, designed by architect Francesc Mariné, was built in just eight months and inaugurated in 1895. Guided tours will be held on Sunday from 10 am to 2 pm, without prior registration required.
Another highlight is La Florida 6.0, a municipal facility located on the second floor of the Mercado Municipal de la Florida. Spanning 1,900 square metres, it comprises three areas: the Citizen Attention Office (OAC), the District IV and V Council, and the Digital Transformation Centre. Guided tours will take place on Saturday, also from 10 am to 2 pm, without prior registration.
The programme in L'Hospitalet will also feature three guided itineraries through various neighbourhoods, focusing on housing, industrial history, and the work of local architects. The first, “Pasadizos de Collblanc-la Torrassa,” will occur on Saturday, 24 October, with departures at 4 pm and 6 pm. This walking tour will explore the origins and characteristics of pasadizos, a type of housing that emerged in the early 20th century to address residential needs stemming from migration waves.
The second itinerary, “Chimeneas, testigos del pasado industrial,” will take place on Sunday, 25 October, at 11 am, highlighting elements related to the city's industrial activity, including the history of factories and the types of chimneys used.
Finally, “L'Hospitalet de los hermanos Puig y Gairalt” will be held on Sunday, 26 October, with departures at 10 am and 12 pm. This route will focus on the contributions of local architects Ramón and Antoni Puig y Gairalt to the urban development of the city. Registration is required for all three itineraries.
