Sant Martí de Provençals, Barcelona — Area Guide & Where to Stay

What are the main landmarks in Sant Martí de Provençals?

The parish church of Sant Martí was rebuilt from the late 15th century in late Gothic style. Over its doorway a carved tympanum shows the saint cutting his cloak to give half to a beggar. Work ended only in 1688, with Baroque touches.

A legend in Joan Amades's Costumari Català says the church was once the house where Saint Martin lodged, and that he brought the mild spell of autumn weather called the estiuet de Sant Martí.

What is the history of Sant Martí de Provençals?

Provençals is first recorded in 989. The name may come from Provençal settlers who came after the Franks took Barcelona in 801, or from the Latin agri provintiales, farmed fields. The Rec Comtal brought water from the Besòs, and mills and farmhouses followed.

In 1502 the parish passed from Sant Andreu de Palomar to Santa Maria del Mar. Industry later earned the town the name of the Catalan Manchester. Barcelona annexed it by the decree of 20 April 1897, and until the 1950s the barri was still fields, country houses, and the church.

Where is Sant Martí de Provençals?

Since 2006 the barri has carried the old municipality's name. It is bounded by the Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, Carrer d'Espronceda, the Girona railway, and Carrer de Cantàbria, which separates it from La Verneda i la Pau.