Sarrià-Sant Gervasi · 23
Sarrià
Sarrià was an independent municipality until 4 November 1921, and Carrer Major, Plaça de Sarrià, the church of Sant Vicenç, the former town hall and the market keep its old centre inside Barcelona.[1][2][3]
A saying sums up old Sarrià: “winds, streams, towers and convents”. Leave Sarrià FGC station and walk down to the market: within minutes you pass Plaça de Sarrià, the church of Sant Vicenç and the former town hall, all beside Carrer Major.[4]
The present neighbourhood contains the main core of the former municipality of Sant Vicenç de Sarrià, the last of the old plain municipalities annexed to Barcelona, in 1921. “Sarrià” can mean the core, the neighbourhood, the former municipality or a wider identity.[1][2]
After the municipal reorganisation of 1984, Sarrià belongs to the district of Sarrià-Sant Gervasi.[2][4]
Sarrià (neighbourhood 23) highlighted. Other neighbourhoods in Sarrià-Sant Gervasi: les Tres Torres, Sant Gervasi - la Bonanova, el Putxet i el Farró, Sant Gervasi - Galvany, Vallvidrera, el Tibidabo i les Planes.
Where it begins and ends
Toward Pedralbes, the Sant Gervasi sectors and the Collserola foothills.
Before the neighbourhood
Sarrià is first mentioned in 986, within the territory of Barcelona. The church of Sant Vicenç was consecrated in 1147 and in 1267 James I granted the place the right to a municipal magistrate, although real municipal government did not develop until the fifteenth century.[2][4]
How the streets were made
Carrer Major was the main axis of the old village, and a merchant class tied to building grew up around it. Plaça de Sarrià holds the church of Sant Vicenç, and the market replaced the open-air market held there.[3][5]
The Barcelona–Sarrià railway opened in 1863, and between 1887 and 1920 the municipality's population grew about two and a half times, from 4,630 to 11,534.[2]
Dates that changed it
- 986: Sarrià is first mentioned, within the territory of Barcelona.
- 1147: the Romanesque church of Sant Vicenç is consecrated.
- 1267: James I grants Sarrià the right to a municipal magistrate.
- 1781–1816: the neoclassical church of Sant Vicenç is authorised and completed.
- 1863: the Barcelona–Sarrià railway opens.
- 1895–1896: the Casa de la Vila, by Francesc Mariné i Martorell, is built and inaugurated.
- 23 December 1911: the Mercat de Sarrià is inaugurated.
- 4 November 1921: Sarrià is annexed to Barcelona.
- 1936–1940: the interior of Sant Vicenç burns in 1936 and is restored in 1940.
People and collective life
Institutions
Casa de la Vila de Sarrià
The former town hall of Sarrià, on Plaça del Consell de la Vila; it now houses the headquarters of the Sarrià-Sant Gervasi district.[6][4]
Mercat de Sarrià
An iron-and-brick market inaugurated in 1911, with entrances on Passeig de la Reina Elisenda de Montcada, Carrer de Pere Tarrés and Carrer del Pare Miquel de Sarrià.[5]
Església de Sant Vicenç de Sarrià
The parish church on Plaça de Sarrià, documented since the tenth century; the present building is neoclassical.[7]
Struggles that left a mark
What can still be seen
Església de Sant Vicenç de Sarrià
A Romanesque church consecrated in 1147 and rebuilt in Gothic style; the present building is neoclassical, with three naves, by Josep Mas i Dordal, and its interior burned in 1936.[7]
Mercat de Sarrià
A modernist building of steel frames on cast-iron pillars, with exposed-brick façades, by Calvet and Coquillat; it was restored in 2007.[5]
The neighbourhood today
Sarrià had 24,937 residents in 2026, 81.8 residents per hectare, a €41,589 mean census-section income in 2023, 304.7 hectares, and 17.8% of residents held non-Spanish nationality.
Non-Spanish nationality (2026): 17.8%
What is changing
Carrer del Riu de l'Or, without cars
Traffic-calming work on Carrer del Riu de l'Or, between Carrer de Manuel de Falla and Carrer de Francesc Carbonell, began in February 2026, with a budget of 840,521 euros and an expected duration of eight months. They will widen the pavements, add greenery and rest areas and create a square at the end of the street, keeping access to car parks and buildings. Completion was expected in October 2026.[8]
Read it on foot
Start: Sarrià (FGC) · End: Pastisseria Foix, Carrer Major de Sarrià
Walking (excluding stop time): 6 min · 420 m · Estimated visit (with stops): 38 min
The geometry follows the pedestrian network between the four marked points, but it has not been verified as step-free. The approach from public transport is not included in the stated distance.
Sarrià (neighbourhood 23) highlighted. Other neighbourhoods in Sarrià-Sant Gervasi: les Tres Torres, Sant Gervasi - la Bonanova, el Putxet i el Farró, Sant Gervasi - Galvany, Vallvidrera, el Tibidabo i les Planes.
Coordinates
Coordinates
Coordinates
Coordinates
Sources for this page
Dates, figures and historical claims are linked to the records used for this page.
- [1] Betevé (2021). L'annexió de Sarrià a Barcelona. Accessed: 2026-10-03.
- [2] Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana (2026). Sarrià. Accessed: 2026-10-03.
- [3] Viquipèdia (2026). Carrer Major de Sarrià. Accessed: 2026-10-03.
- [4] Viquipèdia (2026). Sarrià (Barcelona). Accessed: 2026-10-03.
- [5] Viquipèdia (2026). Mercat de Sarrià. Accessed: 2026-10-03.
- [6] Viquipèdia (2026). Casa de la Vila de Sarrià. Accessed: 2026-10-03.
- [7] Viquipèdia (2026). Església de Sant Vicenç de Sarrià. Accessed: 2026-10-03.
- [8] Metrópoli Abierta (2026-02-19). Barcelona inicia la pacificació d'un carrer a Sarrià: vuit mesos d'obres per eliminar els cotxes. Accessed: 2026-10-03.
- [9] Ajuntament de Barcelona — Open Data BCN (2026-01-01). Padró municipal d'habitants (pad_mdbas) — població per barri. Accessed: 2026-07-17.
- [10] Ajuntament de Barcelona — Open Data BCN (2021). Densitat de població per barri. Accessed: 2026-07-17.
- [11] Ajuntament de Barcelona — Open Data BCN (2023). Renda disponible de les llars per persona. Seccions censals. Accessed: 2026-07-17.
Last reviewed: 3 October 2026 · 11 sources consulted