Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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La Rambla del Raval
This palm tree-lined, pedes-
trian walkway is the latest
attempt by city planners to spark
a similar social environment
to that of the city's famed La
Rambla
(see pp12-13)
. So far it
is off to a creaking start, with
barely a fraction of the crowds
that ply the original Rambla. Its
advocates, however, are quick
to point out that La Rambla del
Raval is far better than the two
dark, run-down streets that
formerly existed here. New
shops, bars and cafés mean
it could well rival its cousin
in years to come.
d
Map K4
^
Carrer Nou de la Rambla
Shoppers, Carrer Taller
vintage blue-and-white French navy
tops once favoured by the likes of
Picasso? Dotting Carrers Tallers
and Riera Baixa, in the heart of El
Raval, is a host of vintage music
and clothing shops selling every-
thing from vinyl to the latest CDs,
original Hawaiian shirts and
Dickies workwear. On Saturdays
from 11am to 9pm, Carrer Riera
Baixa hosts its own market, when
the stores display their wares on
the street.
d
Map L1 & K3
*
Barri Xinès
In the first half of the 19th
century, El Raval's main street was
a notorious strip of cabarets,
brothels and other nocturnal dens.
Today it still bustles with transac-
tions, but of a different sort.
Frayed-at-the-edge local eateries,
ethnic grocery stores, and dis-
count clothing and shoe shops dot
the street. And nightspots, such as
the atmospheric London Bar
(see
p86)
, which have conserved their
age-old identity and fixtures, lure
partying visitors.
d
Map J5
&
Carrers Tallers &
The first thing locals will say
when you ask about the Barri
Xinès is that it no longer exists;
the second is that the name has
no real connection with the Chin-
ese
(Xinès)
. Both statements are
true. This barri, unfolding south
from Carrer Sant Pau
towards Drassanes,
was once one of Eur-
ope's most infamous
neighbourhoods, inhab-
ited by the poor and
working-class and rife
with prostitutes, pimps,
strippers and drug
dealers. Today, due to
enthusiastic clean-up
efforts, mere vestiges
remain of the barri's
Riera Baixa
Looking for bootleg CDs of
Madonna's European tour? Or
Record shop, Carrer Tallers
82
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