The former women's prison of Trinitat Vella is saved from demolition after community pressure

Community mobilization and memorialist entities have managed to preserve an emblematic part of the former women's prison of Trinitat, where Francoism imprisoned adulterers, lesbians, and prostitutes. The future memory space has already received the green light from the Generalitat.

The guardhouse and other unique elements of the former women's prison of Trinitat Vella will remain standing. The pressure from local residents and memorialist entities has achieved what seemed impossible: that the Generalitat and the City Council of Barcelona agreed to preserve part of the site, where Francoism imprisoned thousands of women for political, moral, or sexual reasons.

A memory space for the repressed

The project, promoted by the Trinitat Uneix association and the Comissió de la Dignitat, aims to create an interpretation centre dedicated to female repression. The prison operated as a women's centre between 1963 and 1983, and later became a youth detention centre, which will be relocated to the new Zona Franca complex before the end of the year.

Paco Flórez, president of Trinitat Uneix and a local resident, expressed it clearly:

“When you crossed the prison door back then, you lost your freedom, your dignity; now, crossing it will mean recognition of the gender struggle, of the democratic struggle.”

The coordinator of the Comissió de la Dignitat, Pep Cruanyes, added that the site “must be a memory centre dedicated to the repression of women.” Both entities consider it a “success” to have achieved that part of the building is not demolished, although Flórez acknowledges they would have liked to preserve more space.

The institutional pact that made it possible

In November 2025, the plenary of the Sant Andreu district approved a proposal from Junts per Barcelona to partially preserve the prison, with votes in favour from Barcelona en Comú and ERC, while the PSC abstained. Months later, the Govern, also led by the socialists, reached an agreement with the City Council of Barcelona to maintain the guardhouse and the “unique” elements inside, as well as to relocate the elements of the access portal.

The agreement has been celebrated by local residents, who see this space as a symbol of the gender and democratic struggle. The former prison was set to be demolished to build 391 apartments, of which 45 would be private and the rest protected. Now, part of the memory of those women is saved from the wrecking ball.

For the people of Barcelona, this memory space will be a place of reflection on a dark past that must not be repeated. It is expected that the adaptation works will begin in the coming months, once the museum project is finalised. The Trinitat Vella neighbourhood, which fought so hard to keep its history alive, can now celebrate a victory.