Parc de Diagonal Mar, Modern park in Sant Martí district, Barcelona, Spain
Parc de Diagonal Mar is a modern park in the Sant Martí district that occupies a former industrial site and now blends water, green spaces, and art together. The grounds feature seven distinct zones with elevated pathways, lakes, sculptures, and areas designed for play, walking, and gathering.
The site was once home to the Macosa smelting plant, a major 19th-century factory that shaped the area until the land was repurposed in the 1990s. Its opening in 2002 marked Barcelona's shift from an industrial past to a reimagined modern waterfront city.
The park's name reflects the neighborhood's coastal location and Barcelona's commitment to opening its waterfront to everyone. The flowing metal structures and water features create gathering spaces where visitors walk, sit, and experience the city meeting the sea.
The park features playgrounds for children, bike paths, skating areas, and plenty of seating under covered pergolas. All zones are accessible for people with disabilities and offer ample shade and water fountains throughout.
An ancient Canary Island dragon tree was transplanted to the site during redesign and now grows as a verdant centerpiece among art and water. This tree was already old when it arrived, linking distant islands to this reinvented waterfront.
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