Guided Walk on the History of Anarchism in Barcelona

Barricades during the so called Semana Tragica (Tragic Week) 1909.
Photographer – Frederic_Ballell_i_Maymí

Taking Bookings Now (April-July 2025)

Barcelona’s rich history of working class organising continues to shape the character and culture of the city today. What is distinct about this history is the centrality of anarchism. From the 1860s through to the 1930s, anarchism was the predominant political philosophy among the working class of the city. It not only represented an aspirational transformative social vision, but was integral to working class culture and movement organising.

The guided walk offers an introduction to the history of Anarchism in Barcelona, and the people and events that shaped it. It explores the historic evolution of anarchism and the anarchist movement. From the 1860s through to the 1930s, up to the Spanish Civil War and the Anarchist social revolution that took place in Barcelona from 1936-37.

You may have done the Spanish Civil War tour with Nick or Catherine before, or plan to. This guided walk, is intended to complement the tour by going into the deeper history of Anarchism in the city.

It explores the following major events and topics:

  • Barcelona: Industrialisation, urbanisation, class and conflict, a brief history.
  • The Spanish section of the International Workingmen’s Association, and the popularisation of Anarchism in Spain.
  • Propaganda by the deed, the bombing of the Liceu Opera House, and the Montjuïc trial.
  • Working Class Counter-Culture and Popular Education.
  • Union Organising, Anarchist-syndicalism and Solidaridad Obrera (Worker’s Solidarity).
  • 1909 – The Tragic week or the Glorious Week? The anti-war movement, anti-clerical revolt and the execution of Francesc Ferrer i Guàrdia.
  • The foundation of the CNT (National Confederation of Workers).
  • La Canadenca, the general strike, the most successful working class direct action in Spanish history.
  • Pistolerismo, attacks on the labour movement. Moderates and militants in the anarchist movement. Los Solidarios.
  • Anarchism during the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera (1923-1930), the founding of the F.A.I (Iberian Anarchist Federation).
  • The Second Republic (1931), the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War, anti-fascist resistance and the defence of Barcelona in July 1936.

Booking

  • To book email Caoimhín – anarchist.barcelona@gmail.com

Practicalities

  • Dates: Weekly, every Wednesday.
  • Meeting spot: Plaça del Teatre, on La Rambla. (Directions: Open Street Map, Google Maps)
  • Time: 10:30 am
  • Duration: 3.5 hours. This includes a short break.
  • End location: Museu Maritím, Drassanes. (Directions: Open Street Map, Google Maps)
  • Price
    • €25 per person (Booking in advance by email is required)
    • For private group inquiries please contact me by email.

Your Guide

My name is Caoimhín Ó Flannagáin (Kevin Flanagan), I am an Irish artist, anthropologist and educator. I’ve lived in Barcelona since 2018. This guided walk is very much inspired and motivated by my interest in popular and working class education. I have a special interest in social movements, and conducted research on contemporary movements in the city for which I was awarded a Doctorate in Anthropology from Maynooth University in 2022. Developing this guided walk presented me with an opportunity to go deeper into the history of working class movements in Barcelona. I consider it part of an open ended and ongoing process of research and learning, which I look forward to sharing with you.

Recommended Resources

Depending on your interests, before or after the tour, I can prepare a personalised bibliography and documentary sources to complement the tour and to support further learning.

A Special Note of Thanks

I’ve had an interest in anarchism for many years, and it was this that first brought me to the city that is now my home. During one of those visits I took Nick’s tour. It was through Nick that I met Catherine Howley. Catherine was Nick’s working partner and did the Spanish Civil War tour for the best part of a decade. Among other things, Catherine is a historian and during this time she developed and ran the history of anarchism tour. We became friends, and when she decided to leave Barcelona she invited me to continue the anarchist tour. Catherine spent many hours with me, sharing her depth of knowledge, experience and resources. I wish to acknowledge and thank you Catherine for all your encouragement and support.