Barcelona honours fifteen women by naming new urban spaces after them

Barcelona takes a historic step in feminising its street names. Fifteen new public spaces will bear the names of outstanding women. Culture, science and activism become visible in squares and gardens. Find out who the leading figures are and where their tributes will be.

Barcelona has approved the incorporation of fifteen female names into the city’s nomenclature, in a clear commitment to make women’s role in culture, science, philosophy, the arts and social and political activism visible. The first nomenclature committee meeting of 2026 has given the green light to these new names, which add to the 89 approved during the current term, 58.3% of which correspond to women.

In Horta-Guinardó, the Moisès Broggi Gardens, located between Ronda del Guinardó and Sant Quintí Street, pay tribute to the pioneering surgeon of the International Brigades. In Sant Genís dels Agudells, the new space between Jericó Street and Vall d’Hebron promenade will be called the Hannah Arendt Gardens, in honour of the philosopher and political theorist known for her analysis of totalitarianism.

In Nou Barris, the Pare Manel Gardens, at the junction of Via Favència and les Torres Street, remember the priest committed to social reintegration. The Manolo Vital roundabout will be renamed the Manolo Vital and Carme Vila roundabout, adding the name of the women’s literacy activist in Torre Baró.

The Trinitat Nova neighbourhood will have Victoria Escrich Vidal Street, named after the neighbourhood activist who fought for the demolition of the former women’s prison in Trinitat Vella. In Sant Martí, the new Simone Weil Square, between Rambla de Prim and Ferrer Bassa Street, will honour the French philosopher and activist.

Passatge de Mercè Comaposada, between Veneçuela and Pallars streets, will recognise the feminist and co-founder of Mujeres Libres. In Diagonal Mar and Front Marítim del Poblenou, Carme Ribé Ferrer Square will remember the librarian and researcher who promoted cultural dissemination in Catalan.

Passatge d’Aina Moll Marquès, between d’Àvila and d’Àlaba streets, will bear the name of the Mallorcan linguist and defender of Catalan. Poblenou will also dedicate a passage to international dancer Rosa Mauri Segura and a square to writer and journalist Regina Opisso Sala.

Dolors Renau Square, between Pujades and Pallars streets, will pay tribute to the feminist psychologist, educationalist and politician. The Manuel Ibañez Escofet Gardens, between Provençals and Fluvià, will recognise the anti-Franco journalist.

Between Zamora and Pallars, the Dora Maar Gardens will remember the French surrealist photographer. The Montserrat Trueta i Llacuna small square, in Besòs and Maresme, will honour the educationalist and founder of the Catalan Down Syndrome Foundation.

In Sants-Montjuïc, Parc de Colita, in Bordeta, will bear the name of the renowned Barcelona photographer. Cipriano García Sanchez Square, also in Bordeta, will remember the trade unionist and historic CCOO leader.

In Marina de Port, the former Aviador Ruiz de Alda Street will be renamed Mercedes Núñez Targa Street, in memory of the Republican politician and Ravensbrück survivor. Helios Gómez Square, in Marina del Prat Vermell, will honour the Andalusian Romani artist and activist.

Passatge d’Émile Zola, between Port de Miami and Port de Ningbo, will finally have a location after decades of waiting. The Trepitjada del Raïm Gardens will celebrate the traditional neighbourhood festival.

Nativitat Yarza Square, between Cal Cisó and l’Acer Street, will remember the first woman mayor elected in Catalonia. Passatge de la Marina del Prat Vermell, between Metal·lúrgia and l’Estany, will be officially recognised.

In Ciutat Vella, the l’Areté Gardens, between Moll de Barcelona and Moll de les Drassanes, will commemorate the twentieth anniversary of the Port’s Intermodal school. In Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, the name of the Can Ferrer Gardens, between Alfons XII and Laforja, is being regularised.

The Nomenclature Committee, the municipal body responsible for naming public spaces, thus continues to make progress in correcting the historic imbalance in women’s representation in Barcelona’s street names.