Castelldefels has its Walk of Stars (Passeig de les Estrelles), modelled on the one in Hollywood. The coastal town just south of Barcelona opened the new feature this Saturday morning with several local dignitaries in attendance, and two of the first three to inaugurate their stars were none other than FC Barcelona and Ronaldinho, the other being the Castelldefels Town Council itself. The event in Plaça de les Palmeres was also attended by club president Joan Laporta, who together with the town mayor Manu Reyes stressed the long relationship between Barça and Castelldefels, which began when Arcadi Balaguer, blaugrana president from 1925 to 1929, oversaw the installation of the first electrical connections and public lighting in his hometown. This was one of the reasons why Castelldefels Town Council was keen for FC Barcelona to be among the first recipients of a star, but the town is also a popular place for players and staff, including Laporta himself, to take a short break. Indeed a huge number of players over the years have chosen to set up home there. Ronaldinho was one of those. In his five years at Barça he lived in Castelldefels and forged a strong relationship with the local populace. And now his name is among the first to appear in the brand new Walk of Fame, which will be honouring all kinds of other people from the worlds of art, culture, science, music and many more. "Castelldefels is part of my childhood and I have fond memories of this town. And Ronaldinho is someone to whom we are eternally grateful for being the person who put a smile back on Barça faces. It is a privilege and honour to be here today and to see him get a star on the Walk of Stars." "It is a pleasure to be at this tribute today Castelldefels and me enjoyed many stories together. It has continued to be my home for many years. Although I have stopped playing, I still feel the warmth of the people of Castelldefels." "Castelldefels is the place where the stars sleep, and we want to become the Hollywood of Southern Europe. This Walk of Fame will feature other celebrities from the realms of culture, music, art and innovation." Sant Ferran College (Col·legi Sant Ferran) in Castelldefels is to close permanently at the end of this academic year The school's owners informed the families of the 314 enrolled students of their intentions at a meeting on Friday arguing that there has been a decrease in new enrolments in the youngest age groups. Some families opposed to the closure have highlighted that several year groups in the school – which caters to pupils aged 3 to 16 – are full Sant Ferran College is a semi-private 'concertada' school funded by both fees and public funds. Sources from the Department of Education told the Catalan News Agency (ACN) that they plan to meet with the school's owners on Tuesday as well as with Castelldefels City Council to address the future of the students and teaching staff "and above all to guarantee the schooling of all children." Sant Ferran College was founded in 1970 and educates students from I3 to the 4th year of ESO. Around thirty employees work there, between teaching staff and other contracted staff, according to union sources. Following the families' public announcement of the owners' intention to close the school in the summer, the city council said it was "totally against the closure of any school in Castelldefels." It will discuss the future of Sant Ferran College with the Department of Education "urgently and as a matter of priority." The local council expressed its support for staff and families, and assured it will work jointly with the department to guarantee the educational rights of all children. Get the day's biggest stories right to your phone Lewandowski’s Home in Castelldefels Affected by the DANA in ValenciaThe meteorological phenomenon known as DANA which has wreaked havoc across several Spanish cities The "Isolated Depression at High Levels" has caused intense rains that have affected various parts of Barcelona and surrounding areas including the home of the Polish striker. shared images of their affected home on social media The videos show the water levels reaching the entrance of their residence and surrounding streets covered by flooding known for its high-profile residential areas has been one of the hardest-hit locations in Barcelona due to the heavy downpours Data provided by Meteocat show unprecedented rainfall levels in the region surpassing 80 liters per square meter in areas like El Prat Airport with accumulations that could reach up to 180 liters in the coming hours These conditions have already led to the postponement of some sporting events in the Valencia region and could potentially impact future matches in Catalonia The DANA has also cast doubts on the continuation of several football matches across Spain La Liga decided to proceed with the matchday the situation in Barcelona remains concerning and similar decisions could arise depending on the weather’s progression The emotional impact on teams has not gone unnoticed have expressed solidarity with the victims and respect for those suffering from the disaster’s consequences The coach refrained from making statements about football before his match emphasizing that the primary concern is the well-being of those affected. as Castelldefels faces the growing threat of intense rains The last house completed by the Portuguese architect Álvaro Siza Vieira was completed in the Mediterranean city of Castelldefels a municipality in the Baix Llobregat region located southwest of the suburban area of the city of Barcelona and just twenty kilometres from its centre with almost five kilometres of sand and for being a tourist area and residence of well-known sportsmen linked to the Barcelona football club the area has always been noted as a rest area in the big city with interesting proposals such as the "Ciutat de Repós i Vacances" (1931-1938) formed by a series of demountable huts that was designed by the GATEPAC group of architects The house designed by Álvaro Siza Vieira in association with the Aresta a+u architectural studio is located on a plot with a steep slope The project makes the most of its difficulties and organizes the program on four levels that look out to the sea and organize the different functions of the house placing the access from the street on the upper floor from which one descends to reach the lower level where the pool is located The house with large terraces that expand the interior space is characterized by the use of materials such as white marble indoors and outdoors as well as the formal gestures that make the architecture of the Portuguese architect recognizable The most characteristic image of the residence is provided by its construction with exposed concrete that uses a pink colour to facilitate its integration into the landscape seeking to interfere as little as possible in its surroundings Casa Colien by Álvaro Siza Vieira and Aresta a+u Project description by Álvaro Siza Vieira and Aresta a+u The slope related to the access street and the willingness to act just on the essentials regarding the topography and site vegetation guided the program organization of Colien House into a compact volume that staged descends the terrain slope The project provides the garage and access plan on the street level deploying three united levels through three lower plans in articulation by a vertical communication box (stairs and elevator): the -1 plan with kitchen -2 plan with bedrooms and the -3 plan with the study room at the same level as it is presents the swimming pool with a visual water strip A concrete plan that covers the garden exit all the distance since the kitchen sets the relation with the street – a platform that allows the access of individuals and cars and releases the garden from possible winding and steep ramps while respecting the existing vegetation Each house level offers a terrace that amplifies the interior space while relishing the landscape's natural beauty and the 180º view from East to West architecture answers the intention of disrupting the surroundings the minimum possible and of enjoying the landscape without construction changes emphatic and precise volume sets itself like the plot while counterpointing with exposed concrete Álvaro Siza Vieira. Local architets.- Aresta a+u, SLP (Manel Somoza y Manel González Collaborator architect.-Álvaro Fonseca.Engineering.- GOP Gabinete de Obras e Projectos Lda.Structural Engineer.- Jorge Nunes da Silva.Electrical Engineering.- Alexandre Martins.Hydraulic Engineering.- Raquel Fernandes.HVAC.- Raul Bessa Project Year.- 2011 – 2015.Construction Year.- 2016 - 2023 Pedro Cardigo. Álvaro Joaquim Melo Siza Vieira was born in Matosinhos (near Porto) From 1949-55 he studied at the School of Architecture His first built project was finished in 1954 He taught at the School of Architecture (ESBAP) from 1966-69 and was appointed Professor of "Construction" in 1976 He was a Visiting Professor at the Ècole Polythéchnique of Lausanne Los Andes University of Bogotá and the Graduate School of Design of Harvard University; he taught at the School of Architecture of Porto (jubilate in 2003).He is the author of many projects such as: the Boa Nova Tea House and Restaurant; 1200 dwellings built in Malagueira Évora; the Superior School of Education in Setúbal the new School of Architecture in Porto; the Library of Aveiro University; the Museum of Modern Art in Porto; the Church and Parochial Centre in Marco de Canavezes; the Pavilion of Portugal for EXPO '98 and the Pavilion of Portugal in Hannover 2000 (with Souto de Moura); the dwelling and offices complex of “Terraços de Bragança” in Lisbon; and he has rebuilt the burnt area of Chiado in Lisbon since 1988 including the projects for some buildings like Castro e Melo and others.He has been coordinated the plan of Schilderswijk's recuperation in The Hague which finished in 89; in 1995 he finished the project for blocs 6-7-8 in Ceramique Terrein Maastricht.In Spain he has completed the projects for the Meteorological Centre of Villa Olimpica in Barcelona; the Museum of Contemporary Art of Galicia and the Faculty of Information Sciences in Santiago de Compostela; the Rectorate of the Alicante University; Zaida building – offices South Korea and Sweden.Having been invited to participate in international competitions he won the first place in Schlesisches Tor at the recuperation of Campo di Marte in Venice (1985) and at the renewal of Casino and Café Winkler Salzburg (1986); Cultural Centre for the La Defensa Madrid (with José Paulo Santos) (1988/89); J California (with Peter Testa) (1993); Pietà Rondanini Room Milan (1999); Special Plan Recoletos-Prado Madrid (with Juan Miguel Hernandez Leon e Carlos Riaño) (2002); Toledo Hospital (Sánchez-Horneros office) (2003); “Atrio de la Alhambra” in Spain (with Juan Domingo Santos)(2010); “Parco delle Cave” Lecce in Italy (with Carlos Castanheira) (2010).He has participated in the competitions for Expo 92 in Sevilla Spain (with Eduardo Souto de Moura and Adalberto Dias) (1986); for "Un Progetto per Siena" Italy (with José Paulo Santos) (1988); the Cultural Centre La Defensa in Madrid Spain (1988/89); the Bibliothèque of France in Paris (1989/90) the Helsinki Museum (with Souto de Moura) (1992-93); Flamenco City of Xerez de la Frontera Spain (with Juan Miguel Hernandez Leon) (2003).From 1982 to 2010 has won many different awards and have been assigned with Medals of Cultural Merit from many country around the world Doctor "Honoris Causa" in various European and International universities.He is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Science; "Honorary Fellow" of the Royal Institute of British Architects; AIA/American Institute of Architects; Académie d'Architecture de France and European Academy of Sciences and Arts; Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts; IAA/International Academy of Architecture; American Academy of Arts and Letters Archive HOUSING Europe Paul CareyNovember 04, 2024 Castelldefels, a coastal town outside Barcelona, has created its own Walk of Stars, a replica of Hollywood's Walk of Fame. The initiative of the city, which is home to many celebrities, aims to honor personalities who have lived in the town. The first two stars were dedicated to former FC Barcelona player Ronaldinho and the club itself. The Brazilian player lived in the city while playing for Barça from 2003 to 2008. Ronaldinho, who was present to receive the plaque, said he was "excited" and "proud" to receive this tribute in a city he considers "home". "I never imagined that I would have something like this," Ronaldinho said, adding that he often talks about Castelldefels when he travels around the world. The town's mayor, Manu Reyes, hopes that "Castelldefels and Barcelona will become the Hollywood of southern Europe" because "so many famous people" live there. The Walk of Stars also honored FC Barcelona. The mayor said that the link between the club and Castelldefels "has always been extraordinary." "Barça plays in Barcelona, but they eat, have fun, dream and sleep in Castelldefels," said the mayor. Laporta, who has a second home in Castelldefels, said it was an "honor" to receive a star "next to Ronnie". Reyes assured that more names will be added to the boulevard by the sea, not only from the world of sports, but also from culture, science and music. is just one of the Christmas and Epiphany fairs that the municipality celebrates this holiday season You know the Fira de Santa Llùcia in Barcelona, the great Fira Medieval Vic and the viral Christmas village in France, Le Barcarès But perhaps you didn’t know that just half an hour from Barcelona hides a town that unites the best of both worlds: a medieval market in a castle and a Christmas market in the city center within a few days of each other the medieval fair inside the castle with which it celebrates its winter festival and which will fill the streets of the historic center of the city with Christmas atmosphere We tell you everything you need to know about the three fairs so you can organize your getaway and not miss a single one The Castelldefels Medieval Fair returns this Christmas 2024 from December 5 to 8 in its eleventh edition coinciding with the Winter Festival The fair focuses on recreating the medieval atmosphere, and for this, first of all, is installed in the castle of Castelldefels during the days of the fair groups of medieval recreationists transport visitors to the eleventh to fifteenth centuries showing how people lived in the Middle Ages is a small historical jewel perfectly preserved the castle dominates since the 16th century the coast between the Garraf and Barcelona serving as a defense and warning for raids by sea Throughout the weekend there will also be activities for children such as a treasure hunt or a scribing workshop about 150 stalls where the protagonism will also be for the local commerce of Castelldefels which will have an opportunity to showcase their products Castelldefels organizes another great Christmas fair: the Castelldefels Christmas Fair which is installed in the surroundings of the church local products and typical food of the season will fill the center of the town with Christmas spirit during the days leading up to the holidays Castelldefels premieres a Mercat de Reis from January 2 to 4 coinciding with the camp of the Royal Pages The Fira de Reis will be held on January 2 and soon we will know more details about it Raúl Sánchez Architects is an architecture and design practice founded by Raúl Sánchez based in Barcelona Raúl Sánchez graduated architect from the architecture school in Granada Since 2005 resides and works in Barcelona developing a professional activity which escapes specialization in order to cover all types of work and projects related to architecture a postgraduate diploma in interior design in Elisava School of Design Their projects are based on a narrative of space influenced by cinema literature and a deep knowledge of the history of architecture that they transfer to design through a solid constructive knowledge that they apply to atypical creations The office's work has won numerous national and international awards Archive REMODELING-RENOVATION The European Space Agency (ESA) is set to establish its program dedicated to researching solutions to combat climate change and promote sustainability in Castelldefels The Phi-Lab Spain@Barcelona will begin operations with an initial budget of €13.2 million announced the project during the first day of the NewSpace Economy Congress 2024 This marks the third edition of the summit promoted by the government and Barcelona's Chamber of Commerce Phi-Lab Spain@Barcelona will provide financial aid and access to labs and infrastructure for industry agents and businesses to research and develop innovative practices that can later be commercialized The Catalan government will invest around €8 million of the total €13.2 million budget with the remaining funds provided by the ESA The offices will be located in the RDIT building at Castelldefels' Mediterranean Technology Park where the Catalan Institute of Space Studies is and the European Space Agency Business Incubation Center in Barcelona (ESA-BIC) used to also be housed Back when Catalonia launched its first nanosatellite science writer and educator Joan Anton Català Amigó joined the Filling the Sink team to talk all things space Catalan Digital Policies minister Jordi Puigneró defended the formation of the Catalan Space Agency Alan Ruiz Terol visited the Montsec Observatory and Astronomical Park in western Catalonia and Dr Carolina Arnau Jimenez told Cristina Tomàs White how the European Space Agency's research at the Autonomous University of Barcelona could pave the way for humans to voyage to Mars in the future Listen to our Filling the Sink podcast episode published in March 2021. v1.1.0. Copyright © 2025. Powered by EBANTIC. All rights reserved. The Catalan government has urged citizens in areas under heavy rain alert to stay at work and keep their children in school The severe weather alert caused by the Dana storm - the phenomenon responsible for the flooding in Valencia - hit Catalonia on Monday. The areas most affected in the morning were Barcelonès, Garraf, Maresme, Vallès Oriental, Vallès Occidental and Baix Llobregat, with the storm expected to move towards Maresme and Selva later in the day. While the alert remains in effect, interior minister Núria Parlon issued a series of recommendations, with the primary advice being to avoid unnecessary travel. For this reason, Parlon advised parents to stay at work and keep their children in schools, which she described as "safe places". She urged people to take extra precautions, especially if they are near streams, ravines or flood-prone areas. "If you are in a place where it is raining, do not travel," she said. Meanwhile, the director of the Catalan Traffic Service, Ramon Lamiel, has recommended avoiding travel along the coast and urged the use of high-capacity roads that offer "greater safety", such as the AP-7. But the weather event is not expected to last long. Parlon noted that the storm, which has disrupted transport with train and flight cancellations and caused road flooding across Catalonia, was "coming to an end." However, she urged caution as Monday's rains will be the "final blow" of this weather phenomenon in the territory. But despite the end of the Dana, the director of the Catalan Meteorological Service (Meteocat), Sarai Sarroca, warned that there will still be rains throughout the week with an "important intensity", but due to other weather events. "The worst phase of the Dana storm is over," said Catalan president Salvador Illa in a press conference after a long day of disruptions across Catalonia due to severe weather with over 150 liters of rain per square meter falling in a matter of hours in some places While there were dramatic images of flooded roads and heavy rains, no injuries were reported but the weather event caused widespread travel disruptions. The alert began in the early hours of Monday morning when the Catalan Civil Protection issued a mobile phone alert to residents in Baix Llobregat and Selva counties urging people to limit movement and avoid approaching riverbanks or ravines messages were also sent to other counties in Catalonia warning of continued and heavy storms Thunderstorms during the night had already impacted transportation R2 South and R4 South lines and those going to the south and Lleida were suspended After the alerts began to arrive in the morning, Spain's public train operator Renfe decided to suspend all Rodalies commuter trains across Catalonia, except for the RL3 between Lleida and Cervera, leaving thousands stranded Besides the train disruption, Renfe also halted bus services due to the Roda de Berà tunnel works Authorities also suspended high speed trains from Barcelona to Madrid due to flooding in the tunnel that passes through the city of El Prat de Llobregat When the weather situation improved, Renfe and Adif operators began inspections of all tracks to determine whether they have been affected At 5pm, service of commuter trains gradually resumed in the lines R1 Storms caused major disruptions at Barcelona airport including flooding some parts of the infrastructure Many videos on social media show water leaks inside the terminal and many floods outside such as parking areas or corridors connecting different buildings The storms have forced the airport manager AENA to cancel 153 flights. the airport set up a crisis committee to monitor the various disruptions at the airport Metro and Rodalies services were also suspended "Do not leave your homes and do not commute to work," said Sergio Delgado Deputy Director of Civil Protection Programs Civil Protection recommended families not to pick up children from schools because they are "a safe space." Workers were also advised to stay in their workplace as the general message is to "avoid all mobility." These regions join other counties under heavy restrictions, including Baix Ebre, Montsià, Terra Alta, Ribera d'Ebre, Baix Camp, Priorat, Tarragonès, Alt Camp, and Baix Penedès. According to the Catalan traffic system, many roads were blocked due to landslides and flooding in Tarragona, Ebre, and Baix Llobregat. These included the A-27 in Valls, which collapsed, as well as floods in the TV-3454 in Deltebre, the C-31B in Salou, and the Can Prunera road in Vallirana. Widespread traffic jams were also affecting the road network. The C-32 road reopened around 2 pm after being closed because of flooding that took place in Monday morning. The Pineda Avenue in Castelldefels was also completely flooded during the morning, as was the bridge for the train railway. Many residents and cars in the area were affected. Several universities across Catalonia have also suspended classes, such as Barcelona's University of Barcelona and the University Pompeu Fabra, which asked all students and staff not to commute to or off the education center. On a similar note, the Autonomous University of Barcelona recommended that students not travel to the center if they live in one of the areas under a thunderstorm warning. The flow of the Llobregat river at around Sant Vicenç dels Horts is almost 250 m3 per second after the storms that took place in Catalonia. More specifically, the flow went from 13 m3/second to 241.5 m3/second during Monday morning storms, according to the Catalan Water Agency (ACA). In the city of Tarragona, in southern Catalonia, the storm registered 150 liters of water per square meter in an hour. The storm has affected many areas in the city, especially the area of Móra, where two families had to be evacuated by emergency services. In cities like Viladecans, outside of Barcelona, there have been 131 mm registered on Monday, which accounts for half of all the rain of 2023 (230.5 mm). The Spanish interior minister, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, has confirmed the current number of victims is 217 in all of Spain, most of them being in Valencia. Grande-Marlaska has not informed of the number of people missing: "It is not easy to specify the number of missing people, it is better to not establish a number," the minister said on an interview in Spanish national broadcaster TVE. In Valencia, firefighters and rescue teams continue their tasks to clean and drain parkings such as the one in Aldaia, in the Bonaire shopping center, where there is capacity for 5,000 cars. The emergency teams have not found any victims so far after inspecting the first 50 vehicles. The first inspections of the Military Emergency Unit (UME) revealed that there were fewer vehicles in the parking than initially especulated. The Catalan education ministry has confirmed the "owners' final will" to close down Sant Ferran College (Col·legi Sant Ferran) in Castelldefels The school's owners informed the families of the 314 enrolled students of their intentions arguing that new enrollments in the youngest age groups have decreased families who oppose the closure have highlighted that several year groups in the school—which caters for pupils aged 3 to 16—are full Meanwhile, the education department has reminded school owners that they must file the closure announcement document Owners did not ask authorities if the education center could join the public network The owners plan to close the center and have not "thought at all" about potential alternatives the ministry was "informally" notified about the closure the school owners announced their plans to the students' parents Sant Ferran College is a semi-private 'concertada' school funded by fees and public funds. The city council had already said it was "totally against the closure of any school in Castelldefels." The department and local authorities will now jointly study where to relocate the students before the next academic year The school's director, Viviana Luna, told the Catalan News Agency (ACN) they were unaware of the news beforehand. "At the end of the day, they have private funding and are free to not wanting to make new investments to guarantee the future of the center," Luna said, considering the "huge competition" among the three other concertades in Castelldefels and the drop in the birth rate across Catalonia. The profile of new home buyers in Catalonia is very diverse. In the province of Barcelona, one out of ten new builds sold was bought by a foreign resident living in Spain, according to an annual report published by Tinsa appraisal company on Wednesday. According to the Catalan statistics institute, there are 1,015,934 foreign-born residents in Barcelona province, accounting for 17.28% of the region's inhabitants. "During the inflation crisis in 2021 and 2022, the loss of purchasing power hampered buyers with average salaries' ability to buy homes," the report points out, which prompted people with "higher acquisition power, such as high incomes, foreigners, or enterprises" to buy newly constructed homes. While in 2019, across Spain, foreigners accounted for 4% of new home buyers, in 2024, the figure increased to 6%. Most non-resident foreigners bought houses in Spain due to "lower costs" than other countries. After analyzing several municipalities in the Barcelona metropolitan area, the appraisal company states that new builds cost between €4,968 per square meter and €2,112 per square meter. The most expensive municipality was Barcelona city, as newly constructed homes cost between 18% and 66% more than secondhand homes. In 2024, the average price of new builds stood at €2,528 per square meter, which is 44% more than the average price of €1,750 per square meter registered on second-hand homes. In Castelldefels, just south of the Catalan capital, 24.5% more sales of new home were registered in 2024 compared to the previous year. This was followed by Manresa's 16.2%, Santa Coloma de Gramanet's 12.5%, and Cerdanyola del Vallès' 11.9%. On the other hand, Montcada i Reixac and Montgat-Masnou saw a 1.2% drop in sales. Barcelona city registered a 0.9% increase in new-build sales in 2024 compared to 2023 due to "the lack of new buildings." Outside of the most populated province, Lleida province saw a 12% increase, Tarragona a 6.4% increase, and Girona a 5.2% increase. Catalonia saw 1.2% more new homes built and sold last year. The traditional Playmobil nativity scene of the Castelldefels Town Hall is already inaugurated with 8m2 This diorama of toys, which occupies 8m² and consists of about a thousand pieces and is free access is the work of @carvuplay, a local resident. His work recreates the classic scenes of a nativity scene through the iconic Playmobil dolls in a scenario full of very successful details. In addition, the nativity scene includes a search game with which to look for three intruders hidden among the figures: the classic Caganer, Santa Claus, Wally and even “a local policeman who puts order to the camel traffic”. View this post on Instagram The Nativity Scene will be available until January 4, with free admission. The opening hours are Monday to Friday from 16:00 to 20:00 h, Saturdays from 11:00 to 14:00 h and from 16:00 to 20:00 h, and Sundays from 11:00 to 14:00 h. In addition, during the Festa Major d’Hivern (from December 5 to 8), it will also be open extended hours. The nativity scene is located inside the town hall building (Plaça de l’Església, 1, 08860 Castelldefels) and the visit is free of charge. Pachi Larrea, with two bakeries in Castelldefels, wins the Paco Torreblanca international award for best chocolate cake. It is not an exaggeration: the best chocolate cake in the world is prepared just 20 minutes from the center of Barcelona. Specifically, in Castelldefels, where Pachi Larrea, with two bakeries, bakes the cake that has won the first prize in the Paco Torreblanca International Award for Haute Patisserie, a contest that seeks to recognize excellence in pastry making worldwide . The award was presented this weekend at the VI Alicante Gastronomic Fair Alma Mediterránea, where 220 candidates from countries such as Italy, Chile, Colombia and Mexico participated, examined by a jury formed by personalities such as Jordi Roca, Oriol Balaguer, Albert Adriá, Jacob Torreblanca and Carlos Mampel, as well as renowned international chefs Iginio Massari (Italy) and Frédéric Bau (France). The other finalists in the competition were Alba Gracia Elipe (Spain), Andrea Zemi (Italy), Estefanía Aguilar (Costa Rica), Javier Naranjo (Colombia), Javiera Villegas (Chile); Juan Sarango (Ecuador) and Nathalia Escobar Rosales (Mexico). View this post on Instagram It was this jury that singled out the cake of Pachi Larrea Ecuadorian pastry chef based in Castelldefels with two bakeries (c/del Dr 2) and with more than 20 years of experience in places like the Ecuadorian embassy in China and in haute patisserie houses such as Oriol Balaguer Larrea is not the only winner from Barcelona. The pastry chef Sergi Vela, with his own pastry shop in Barcelona that defines itself as “the pastry shop of the chefs” (c/Còrsega, 637) came in second place, and Fran Segura (Alicante), a specialist in éclairs and natural pastries, came in third place. The three winners won prizes of 3,000, 2,000 and 1,000 euros, respectively. The contest was organized in collaboration with the International School of Pastry Arts as a tribute to the master Paco Torreblanca, an iconic figure in national and international pastry. This event not only seeks to find the best chocolate cake in the world but also to provide a platform for pastry chefs to demonstrate their skill and creativity. Footballer and family safe after hooded men threaten them with firearms and iron bars ACN | Barcelona FC Barcelona player Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was the victim of an armed robbery at his home in Castelldefels, just south of Barcelona, in the early hours of Monday. First reported by Spanish daily El País and confirmed by the Mossos d'Esquadra police to the Catalan News Agency (ACN), at least four people broke into the footballer's home after climbing over his garden's gates. Once over the gate, according to the same sources, they entered his home and threatened the player and his family with firearms and iron bars, striking Aubameyang. The Barça team member was forced to open the safe by the intruders brandishing weapons. The thieves stole jewelry from the safe before witnesses saw them fleeing the scene in a white Audi A3 car. The Catalan Mossos d'Esquadra police are now investigating the events, which took place on Monday at around 1 am. Barça confirmed to ACN that Aubameyang and his family were not injured. The footballer had just returned from the Barça stadium, Camp Nou, where four hours earlier the team beat Real Valladolid in a match he spent entirely on the bench. Aubameyang is one of the players who could part ways with the Catalan squad in the coming days as the summer transfer window ends this week. The underground rapid transit lines have been under construction for almost two decades due to various project delays The cross pinnacle on the Tower of Jesus Christ will be ready to receive visitors in 2026 on the centennial of Gaudi’s death Now you can get your wine in Talence by paying directly in Bitcoin That’s because the state has to spend money on updating the railway infrastructure rather than subsidizing the cost of the popular pass Steffen Romstöck said that he would respect the residents’ choice and would take over the helm of the municipality which will come into force from 1 January 2025 Rethinking renewable energy sources for the urban landscape But operating them is still illegal under the country’s legislation can inform and inspire communities and entrepreneurs that still feel trepidation at the prospect of energy transition it has a unique modular design that allows it to be shortened and lengthened like a train that’s the promise made by the mayor of Paris the district has long been known as the hangout spot for the artsy crowds Hostal de Pinós is located in the geographical centre of the autonomous region the ranking considers several distinct but essential factors these quiet areas will now be available on all main routes in the country The academic institution shows a deeper understanding of the well-being of its students Houses in this area normally sell for around £4.5 million The Argentinian footballer has lived in Barcelona most of his life he has worked his way up the ranks in FC Barcelona and has become one of the best footballers in the world Messi lives in a small area called Bellamar a prestigious and expensive suburb of Castelldefels Houses in this area normally sell for around £4.5 million it has been revalued and become one of the most exclusive neighbourhoods in Catalonia.This urbanisation is only 12 miles from Camp Nou Football Stadium and has easy access to Ciutat Esportiva exclusivity and discretion that the residents seek The 10th European Conference on Sustainable Cities and Towns (ESCT) sets the stage for stronger cooperation between the EU national and local level to fast track Europe's transition to climate neutrality Urban dwellers across the EU are having a say in making their surroundings friendlier to people and the environment Forests in the EU can help green the European construction industry and bolster a continent-wide push for architectural improvements Apply by 10 November and do your part for the transformation of European public spaces An interview with the Mayor of a Polish city that seeks to reinvent itself An interview with the newly elected ICLEI President and Mayor of Malmö A conversation with the Mayor of Lisbon about the spirit and dimensions of innovation present in the Portuguese capital Nesting of such reptiles in Catalan beaches increasing, probably due to climate change ACN | Castelldefels The Catalan center for the recovery of marine animals (CRAM its acronym in Catalan) has released 12 loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta Caretta) into the Mediterranean Sea on Castelldefels beach The marine animals were born in October 2019 and grew up in captivity in CRAM until reaching around 1 kg in weight thought to be enough for them to be released they were brought to the beach in boxes and were released in threes with some people there to witness the event including Catalonia's sustainability minister This action by CRAM is part of the headstart project which aims to breed such turtles until they are ready to go to the sea – without any help only 1% of them would survive for more than a year. the turtles were found on the beach in Castelldefels just after being born – experts believe that the street lights in the town's seafront might have confused the reptiles They ended up stuck in some beach vegetation and dehydrated before being spotted and taken to CRAM turtles have to nest very close to the water something that is not viable due to the sea temperature sometimes the mother goes to a dry area where she will not be noticed and nests something that will not be found until her offspring are born More turtles in Catalonia due to climate change Calvet pointed out to the press that it is becoming more common for these kind of turtles to nest in Catalonia meaning that they "have been changing their behavior patterns" probably due to climate change the temperatures in the places where they used to go have changed and they have to go a little bit further north," he added This week not only have 12 loggerhead sea turtles been released in Castelldefels but also 10 more in Premià de Mar (north of Barcelona) who were born in 2018 and have also grown up in CRAM LIONEL MESSI is following in the footsteps of best pal Luis Suarez - by building a bar 100 yards away from the Uruguayan's restaurant. The Barcelona talisman may be missing his old strike partner, sold to Atletico Madrid last summer, on the pitch but will soon have even greater ties to him off it. In 2017, Suarez opened 'Chalito', a trendy restaurant on the beachfront of Castelldefels, a short hop down the coast from Barcelona city centre. Just 100 yards away, Messi is setting up shop on the same road. SunSport pictures show a construction site behind a steel fence that will eventually become the home of the Argentine's bar. Messi, 33, has called Castelldefels home since 2009 and was joined by neighbour Suarez, 34, when he moved to Barcelona from Liverpool in 2014. The pair regularly holiday together and often shared the school run when their kids attended the same school. Last summer, former Barcelona star Cesc Fabregas joined Messi and Suarez, along with their partners Daniella Semaan, Antonella Roccuzzo, Sofia Babi for a luxurious yacht holiday on the Mediterranean. The £40,000-a-week vessel hosted the trio's families as they cruised around the Balearic Islands before touching down on Formentera. At the same time both Messi and Suarez looked set for moves away from the Camp Nou, as their futures appeared to become intrinsically linked. Visits to each other's houses fuelled speculation over their decision but only the former Ajax man left. Since moving to Atletico, Suarez has guided his new side to the summit of the league while his 16-goal tally means he shares the top of LaLiga's scoring charts with his old pal. FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE he wrote online: "It will be strange to see you with another shirt and much more to face you "You deserved the goodbye for what you are: one of the most important players in the club’s history achieving important things both as a group and individually "And not to get kicked out like they did But the truth is that at this point nothing surprises me I wish you all the best in this new challenge ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds Around 6.30 in the morning, some 15 buses were waiting for commuters at Castelldefels to bring them to Barcelona. It was forecast for buses to depart every half hour, but in the end the frequency was increased to every ten minutes to keep up with demand. Passengers were pleased to have a functioning alternative on Thursday morning, although some were still cautious about celebrating too early. "It's a good solution, but we'll have to see if we arrive on time," one commuter who took the arranged bus service to Barcelona told the Catalan News Agency. Many of the passengers at the Castelldefels train station in the early hours of the morning were unaware that they had an alternative to the train to get to Barcelona. After two days of disrupted travel options due to the incident in Gavà, Rodalies train users celebrated the shuttle bus, although criticism was still present. One of the issues that surprised passengers was the location of the buses at the back of Castelldefels station, in an area located a 6-minute walk from the main entrance. Renfe chose this point due to the width of the street, as the station is located in a small square. "I don't find it very well organized," complained Iolanda, who lives in Garraf and takes the train to Castelldefels every day to go to work in Barcelona, and added that the past two days were "horrible" as she tried to get to and from work. Castelldefels resident Àlex works in Sant Feliu de Llobregat, and it took two and a half hours for him Tuesday and Wednesday to make a journey to work that usually takes 50 minutes. He sees the shuttle bus option as a more comfortable alternative, but not more agile: "I'll still take twice as long as normal and I'll probably be late for work." In the afternoon, the shuttle bus will make return journeys in the opposite direction, from Barcelona to Castelldefels, with some buses bound for Gavà added. This return by road will operate between 5 and 7 pm. The R2 South line between Sant Vicenç de Calders and Estació de França operates with two services per direction per hour, with stops at all stations. As for the regional trains - R13, R14, R15, R16, and R17 - they have one train per hour in each direction with a stop at all the stations between Sant Vicenç de Calders and Barcelona. Renfe also informs users that three services in each direction between Catalonia and Valencia may suffer from "delays in circulation in the affected section." Spain's minister of transport, Raquel Sánchez, considers the debate on the cause of the incident "artificially generated controversy" and has promised to explain the reasons for the breakdown in services after they are investigated. "We have no problem with this, we act with transparency," she said during a radio interview. Ths Spanish minister added that "there's no proof" that if the service had been totally transferred this type of breakdown could have been avoided. "The network is very complex and has nothing to do with the management of the FGC trains, which ultimately works like a metro line," the minister said. Sánchez also backed the Rodalies line as "reliable" and said that "only 6% of the trains are not on time." Regarding Catalonia's demand for the Spanish executive to transfer the service, the minister commented that "it is not possible" and wanted to "correct" Catalonia's territory minister, Juli Fernández, after he affirmed yesterday that the Catalan government was not the owner of the service Sánchez said that the Catalan government has been in charge of the service since 2010, and criticized that Catalonia does not want to sign the program contract. "We have been waiting years for it to be signed. The Catalan government never talks about it and does not explain to citizens what reasons it has for not signing." Rodalies is administered by the Catalan government and is operated by the Spanish-government owned company, Renfe. Dune vegetation key to "unexpected" discovery of 17 species ACN | Castelldefels Sun, sea, sand... and butterflies! Beaches in the Barcelona Metropolitan Area (AMB) are acting as a nature reserve for butterflies, according to the results of the third report from the Metropolitan Butterfly Observatory (mBMS). Dune vegetation is key to providing a habitat for certain species that are thriving better amongst the sand than in the parks in and around the Catalan capital. Seventeen species of butterflies were identified on the four beaches south of Barcelona that were studied: Castelldefels, Gavà, Viladecans and El Prat. The most commonly found species are the common blue, the painted lady and the clouded yellow, with the latter two being discovered in larger numbers on beaches than in parks. The scientific coordinator of the study, Jordi Pino, says that the impact of dune landscapes on the butterfly population was an "unexpected" discovery, describing beaches as areas with "extreme" conditions, with vegetation not normally conducive to encouraging large numbers of insects. The natural spaces are of particular importance given Greater Barcelona's "highly populated and urbanized" environment, according to Núria Machuca from the AMB. In total, the study found 2,205 butterflies of 40 different species in a total of 21 spaces. In terms of parks, the most diverse were found to be Pinetons in Ripollet, Canal de la Infanta in Cornellà de Llobregat and Calamot in Gavà. Doctors were this morning still fighting to save the lives of three of those injured after a group of some 40 people heading for a beach party was struck by a high-speed train in the coastal town just south of Barcelona The victims had been going to one of the bonfire and beach parties that happen up and down the coast of Catalonia and the rest of Spain to mark the longest day of the year. They had just got off another train at the station near the beach at Castelldefels and begun to cross the tracks rather than use an underground passageway or a footbridge at the station. Fourteen of the injured were treated in local hospitals this morning. Most of the dead and injured were teenagers out to enjoy one of the biggest annual fiestas in Catalonia. "We got off en masse and when we saw that the underpass was closed, we crossed the tracks," an eyewitness called Charly told El País newspaper. A spokesman for Spain's rail infrastructure company ADIF denied that the underpass below the tracks had been locked. "The train did not blow its whistle until it was already in the station and that gave us no time to get out of the way," said one of the survivors. "What I do not understand is why the train did not stop after the accident," another of those who escaped said. The force of the impact of the train on those crossing the tracks was such that rescue workers said they were having trouble putting together the body parts left at the scene. Several of those injured had been standing on the platform and were hurt by flying bodies tossed aside by the train as it sped along a straight, flat stretch of track on the route from Alicante to Barcelona. Castelldefels is a popular beach for people from nearby Barcelona and the rail station there had recently been renovated and remodelled. Local mayor Joan Sau promised an investigation but blamed the group of people who chose to cross the tracks for the tragedy, saying they had been "imprudent". "It was an awful accident," he said. A train signal box fire at the Adif railway infrastructure management facilities in Gavà, a coastal town not far south of Barcelona, on Monday evening, continues to cause disruptions. Only one R2 train is running every half an hour between the town of Sant Vicenç de Calders and Estació de França station in Barcelona Tuesday morning. Officials from Spain's transport ministry say the incident is "serious" and that normal service will not return to the R2 South line for "three or four weeks." Xavier Flores, secretary general of infrastructure in the ministry of transport, told reporters in Barcelona that it is "one of the worst incidents you can have: it leaves you blind in terms of train control and safety." The improvement to the services will be "progressive," the official said. "If today it was possible to run two trains per direction per hour, for Wednesday the forecast is that the frequency will increase to three trains per direction per hour." The R13, R14, R15, R16, and R17 lines from Tarragona and the Ebre region in southern Catalonia to Barcelona are also being diverted through the Penedès area, inland from Gavà. Long-distance trains connecting Murcia and the Valencia region to Catalonia have also been affected by the incident. The train signal box fire broke out around 9 pm on Monday in Gavà, trapping hundreds of passengers in various R2 and regional trains for over two hours. Adif workers are yet to determine the cause of the incident in order to resolve it and do not know when service will be fully restored. Delays and incidents on Rodalies commuter lines have long been a point of contention in Catalonia, with passengers and politicians alike calling for further investment from Spain in the system. Passengers affected by the breakdown in Gavà were left fed up with the "shameful" delays that "repeat every day." Some told the Catalan News Agency (ACN) that the trains stop for twenty minutes at each station and that they feel like "sardines in a can" because the carriages are too full. Pablo, one commuter told ACN that he was "at the Castelldefels beach stop at 9:15 and it's 10:30 and we're still at Castelldefels town [a stop away], so we're going to have to be patient today." Rosa, a passenger who had an important appointment in Barcelona at noon, expressed the same disappointment and tension. She said that she left home in time to ensure that he could arrive for the appointment at the scheduled time: "I hope to be there", she said. Maria, a regular user of the Rodalies line who took the train at 08.50 in Vilanova i la Geltrú, was much more upset. "It's 10:15 a.m. and we're still in Castelldefels because the train has stopped for twenty minutes at each station," she said, calling the situation "shameful" as she says it's "the same story every day." The Catalan government has sided with the passengers affected by the delays and in their complaints about the lack of alternative transport. Spokesperson for the executive, Patrícia Plaja, explained that they have already contacted Renfe, the managing company of the Rodalies line, to solve the problem, adding that "the government will do whatever it can to reverse" the situation. "Obviously, the operator should provide a service similar to the usual one, and that's why we ask for it. And if Renfe is not able to guarantee it, it will be the government itself that will roll up its sleeves to make it so," said Plaja. "The fact that incidents are repeated and are common does not mean that they are not news. The users do not want to normalize it and neither does the government. Unfortunately, this is the local service we have", she concluded. 4 May 2021IF Lionel Messi is to complete a shock move away from Barcelona it will mean waving goodbye to his swanky pad in Bellamar The 33-year-old could be off to Manchester City or Inter Milan having reportedly told the Blaugrana he is fed up of the way the club is being managed he can relax in his incredible mansion in the exclusive suburb of Castelldefels Such was the need for the six-time Ballon d'Or winner to have his own peace and quiet, team-mate Ivan Rakitic revealed how the Barcelona captain bought his neighbours house. Situated just 12 miles away from the Camp Nou, Messi's home boasts a small football pitch, a swimming pool, an indoor gym and a playground for his three children. While his property also overlooks the Balearic Sea, with the four-time Champions League winner enjoying the stunning coastal views at his luxury. Commenting on the reasons why the runways aren't allowed to be extended at El Prat airport in Barcelona Javier Sanchez-Prieto - president of Spanish airline Vueling - hit out at the little magician He said: "You cannot pass over where Messi lives "This doesn’t happen anywhere else in the world." Messi's house is located 10 miles away from the airport only adds to the tranquillity surrounding his home The 2014 World Cup runner-up also boasts a massive outdoor dining area while his hulking dog is free to roam the garden although he is occasionally the brunt of Messi's skills He previously showed himself toying with his pet Dogue de Bordeaux as he enjoyed a kick-about In the video taken by his wife Antonella Roccuzzo Messi can be seen casually flicking the ball over Hulk's head And it isn't just Messi that has fallen in love with the houses in Bellamar, as Luis Suarez and Philippe Coutinho purchased properties there It was reported that Suarez had bought his ex-Liverpool team-mate the mansion even before the Brazilian completed his switch from the Reds Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/ Service on the R2 commuter train line will be back to normal on May 21 "by the latest," Spanish transport minister Raquel Sánchez said in an interview with Ser radio on Friday morning Sánchez was reproached the day prior by Congress for the disruptions to the line that began over a week ago after a fire broke out in a train signal box in the coastal town of Gavà "extraordinary efforts" are being carried out "from day one" to resolve the issue The Socialist politician also took the opportunity to criticize Esquerra for supporting the motion filed by the conservative People's Party against her "I think it's offensive to the Catalans who suffered a lack of investment for a decade," Sánchez said referring to the time the People's Party was in power. "What does not make any sense if for this government which is the one that has been investing the most in Catalonia and in Catalan rail infrastructure the R2 South train line users between the southern seaside town of Vilanova i la Geltrú and Barcelona will see a fourth train in the hour during peak hours there will be a new extraordinary bus line between Sitges and Barcelona between 6 am and 8:30 am and from the Catalan capital to Sitges from 5 pm to 7 pm This is in addition to the already existing bus alternative routes connecting Gavà and Sant Vicenç de Calders with Barcelona. A train signal box fire at the Adif railway infrastructure management facilities in Gavà at the beginning of May continues to cause disruptions Officials from Spain's transport ministry said the incident is "serious" and that normal service will not return to the R2 South line for "three or four weeks." secretary general of infrastructure in the ministry of transport, told reporters in Barcelona that it is "one of the worst incidents you can have: it leaves you blind in terms of train control and safety." Commuters have criticized the service for regular disruption to services, and the Catalan president, Pere Aragonès, blamed a lack of investment from Spain spanning "decades" for the consistent problems seen in the train network Raquel Sánchez had defended that the Spanish government is "investing like never before" in the Rodalies network and admitted that the system had previously been underfunded in past administrations. Alternative shuttle buses are in operation connecting the Catalan capital with the town of Sant Vicenç de Calders, near Tarragona. From Monday to Friday during rush hour there will be buses every half an hour from Sant Vicenç de Calders from 6 am to 9 am, while in the evening they will be leaving Barcelona from 6 pm to 8:30 pm. The supporters club family welcomed a new member on July 14 the Penya Blaugrana ‘La Pulga’ de Castelldefels which means ‘the flea’ in tribute to Messi who is a resident of this seaside town to the south of Barcelona The new club was officially inaugurated yesterday in the presence of FC Barcelona Vice-President Jordi Cardoner who was accompanied by the Vice President of the FC Barcelona Foundation former players and members of the FC Barcelona Players Association Ferran Olivella and Paco Clos a member of the Club’s youth football sports committee The Penya Blaugrana ‘La Pulga’ de Castelldefels is currently the only official club in Castelldefels and is chaired by Ramon Massons a person who has long been involved with supporters clubs who has been key in the club’s creation He was accompanied by Castelldefels Commerce and Tourism Councillor Margarita Manzano and the of area’s FC Barcelona Supporters Clubs Federation President "We needed a supporters club in Castelldefels Now we have a new one in honour of an icon like Lionel Messi In a few years will be a unique model in the world of football and for the Club." "There are a lot of FC Barcelona supporters in Castelldefels a lot of people live there and we have many Club members I want to appeal to everyone to join this group that support Barça Emergency services in Spanish Catalonia wrote on X — formerly known as Twitter — that at least people have lost their lives and another three were injured after a group of seven people were hit by a train while crossing the railway line The incident took place in Montmelo about 20 kilometres (12 miles) north of Barcelona Spanish media said a music festival was held nearby on Sunday night The regional firefighting force wrote on X: "We searched for other possible victims near the train We also helped evacuate the area and take the injured to ambulances." Transport Minister Raquel Sanchez offered her condolences to the families of the victims and expressed her support on social media for the emergency services workers dealing "with this very difficult situation." The head of the regional government of Catalonia said he was "completely distraught" by the tragedy "Emergency services are continuing to work and offering support to the victims and their families police are investigating the causes of the accident," he added In June 2010 an express train struck a group of people who were crossing the railway in the beach resort of Castelldefels The people crossing the line on that occasion had just got off a commuter train and were crossing the track to get to the beach where a concert was being held to celebrate the summer solstice Some people complained at the time that an underpass exit was poorly marked and an old crossing was blocked off Swindon and Greater Manchester area on suspicion of "terrorism offences" Closed-door “general congregations” allow cardinals to discuss challenges new pontiff will face Numerous reports say VOA was preparing to resume broadcasts next week Warren Buffett still lives in same house in quiet neighbourhood of Omaha that he bought in 1958 for $31,500 Buffett’s success made him highly influential in business communities earning him nickname "The Oracle of Omaha" Copyright © 2025. The News International, All Rights Reserved | Contact Us | Authors There continue to be disruptions on Rodalies Renfe's R2 line following the derailment of a train with no passengers near the coastal town of Sitges, south of Barcelona, on Tuesday, forcing commuters to take buses between Vilanova i la Geltrú and Castelldefels. "I've been waiting for an hour to go only one stop," Cristina Millán complained to the Catalan News Agency (ACN) Wednesday morning. Millán was commuting from Cubelles, in Garraf county, to Bellvitge Hospital, in l'Hospitalet de Llobregat, but had to catch a bus in Vilanova before hopping on the train again in Castelldefels. Like her, other passengers criticized Renfe for the lack of information and updates as well as the poor organization on what is, despite it being summer, still a workday for many. "There was only information on the screens," Mariona Echevarria, who was traveling from Tarragona to Barcelona, said. "If you're in a hurry you won't see it." "There wasn't any indication of the disruptions in the trains. When we got to Vilanova we didn't know if it would keep on going or not," she said. Dídac Teixidor, another commuter, said he could have taken the R4 to get to Barcelona but chose not to "because there are also delays on it." "That's Renfe - disruptions every other day," he lamented. Rail traffic has since been restored on one of the tracks between Vilanova and la Geltrú and Garraf. There will still, however, be buses between Vilanova and Castelldefels until traffic on both tracks is restored. Ivan Rakitic reveals one of Leo Messi's best kept secrets The Barcelona player made a revelation about Messi's life in Castelldefels Croatian international Ivan Rakitic joined Barcelona three years ago and has always chosen to live close to the sea He’s Javier Mascherano’s neighbour and he’s not far from Leo Messi and Luis Suarez. Rakitic has said in an interview with Croatian publication Novi List that he’s delighted with his neighbours he revealed that Messi didn’t have as much luck when he first moved to Castelldefels it was known that he lives close to Suarez however little is known of his previous neighbours. Messi was the victim of noise pollution from his old neighbours “When he bought his house in Castelldefels his neighbours were a little noisy so Leo had to buy their house so that he could be alone [with his family] Luckily I have never had those problems.” Lionel Messi wins his eighth Ballon d'Or award Barca midfielder Aitana Bonmati wins the Ballon d'Or Jude Bellingham wins Kopa Trophy at Ballon d'Or ceremony Alexander-Arnold's confession: 'My other favourite team is Barça' TV Channel and How to Watch the Champions League Quarterfinal Live in the USA LIONEL MESSI is following in the footsteps of best pal Luis Suarez - by building a bar 100 yards away from the Uruguayan's restaurant The Barcelona talisman may be missing his old strike partner on the pitch but will soon have even greater ties to him off it In 2017, Suarez opened 'Chalito' a trendy restaurant on the beachfront of Castelldefels a short hop down the coast from Barcelona city centre SunSport pictures show a construction site behind a steel fence that will eventually become the home of the Argentine's bar has called Castelldefels home since 2009 and was joined by neighbour Suarez when he moved to Barcelona from Liverpool in 2014 The pair regularly holiday together and often shared the school run when their kids attended the same school Last summer, former Barcelona star Cesc Fabregas joined Messi and Suarez, along with their partners Daniella Semaan, Antonella Roccuzzo, Sofia Babi for a luxurious yacht holiday on the Mediterranean The £40,000-a-week vessel hosted the trio's families as they cruised around the Balearic Islands before touching down on Formentera At the same time both Messi and Suarez looked set for moves away from the Camp Nou as their futures appeared to become intrinsically linked Visits to each other's houses fuelled speculation over their decision but only the former Ajax man left Suarez has guided his new side to the summit of the league while his 16-goal tally means he shares the top of LaLiga's scoring charts with his old pal FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon We help you navigate a myriad of possibilities Sign up for our newsletter for the best of the city By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news Sign up for our email to enjoy your city without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush) Our newsletter hand-delivers the best bits to your inbox Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. Barcelona The Baix Llobregat region is one of the most populated in Catalonia with high-density cities and many important communication routes running through it it also contains plenty of valuable conservation areas some quite peculiar like the Llobregat Delta or the Saltpetre Caves (Coves de Salnitre) whereas the Agricultural Park (Parc Agrari) has one of the most fertile soils in the country Enjoy this natural ride around Baix Llobregat Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! facebook twitter spotify tiktok About us Contact us Time Out Worldwide A view of the living room from Messi’s Miami penthouse Football legend Lionel Messi would be taking a winner’s medal home to an impressive property portfolio were Argentina to claim the 2022 FIFA World Cup The Argentine captain and multiple Ballon d’Or winner one of the leading scorers in this year’s competition has a range of properties worth about $2m to $30m amassed over his extensive career The 35-year-old forward has also lived in homes worth a combined $42m thanks to his circa $800m fortune made from multiple endorsements and two decades playing for Barcelona and An aerial view of Messi’s mansion in Castelldefels Messi purchased his first property in 2009 in the exclusive coastal suburb of Castelldefels in Barcelona bought many of his properties while playing for Barcelona Messi and his wife Antonela invested millions into the property and also purchased the plot of land adjacent to the home and a personal-sized soccer field to practice and play on with his three children Messi invested heavily in his Barcelona property It is not known if he kept the property or sold it when he left for PSG Messi began a new money-making journey as a hotelier – reportedly spending $30.5m on a four-star hotel in Sitges a luxe rooftop bar and swimming pool with panoramic views Catalonia was one of the first hotels purchased by Messi in 2017 Messi has also invested in a number of hotels via Mim Hotels and the Majestic Hotel Group with the chain acquiring properties across Spain and a new resort in Andorra set to open next year the footballer set his sights on the US and put down $7m on a Miami apartment The Mim Hotel in Ibiza is one of Messi’s most famous hotels The property sits on Sunny Isles Beach with views over the ocean a 500 bottle wine cellar and enjoys 511 sqm of indoor space The Sunny Isles penthouse triplex sold in December 2022 for $20.55m A view over the water from Messi’s Miami pad Messi also purchased the entire 9th floor of the Regalia building in Miami in 2021 for about $10m – a six bedroom and seven bathroom unit designed by architect Charles Allem The residence has been locally called a “mansion in the sky in the most unique building in South Florida” Messi relisted the unit seven months later MORE: Waterfront home, toys, $1m gold could be yours for $2 Israel Folau offloads home for massive profit Supermarket shoppers buy 100yo home sight unseen Messi purchased the entire 9th floor of the Regalia building in 2021 before listing it for sale seven months later the Argentinian sportsman built a massive estate across three plots of land in Rosario Messi plans to make the property his primary residence once he retires from his soccer career a fully-equipped gym and an underground garage for 15 cars – enough space to house Messi’s car collection Messi built a significantly sizeable estate in Rosario Messi also purchased an Ibiza mansion for $11.18m on the Balearic island to go with his hotel there The mansion faced a few planning issues and hadn’t been granted permission from the local government to occupy it The planning issues are also reportedly linked to the construction of rooms in the property’s garage prior to Messi’s purchase The football star and his wife regularly spend their summers in Ibiza during the off season third parties have written and supplied the content and we are not responsible for it completeness or reliability of the information nor do we accept any liability or responsibility arising in any way from omissions or errors contained in the content We do not recommend sponsored lenders or loan products and we cannot introduce you to sponsored lenders We strongly recommend that you obtain independent advice before you act on the content realestate.com.au is owned and operated by ASX-listed REA Group Ltd (REA:ASX) © REA Group Ltd. 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By MAIL FOREIGN SERVICE Updated: 10:32 BST Spanish officials blamed summer solstice partygoers for crossing the tracks into the path of an express train that killed at least 13 but others said a new underground exit was poorly marked and an old crossing was blocked off at least 14 were injured in the beach resort of Castelldefels shortly before midnight on Wednesday as crowds of young people left a train heading for bonfires on a Mediterranean beach Many jammed the underpass leading to the beach but about 30 others climbed down from the platform and tried to scurry across the tracks 13 people were killed when they crossed the tracks of an express train in Castelldefels on Wednesday night Spanish officials have denied a nearby underpass was poorly marked They were struck by a train passing through the station in north-eastern Spain Development Minister Jose Blanco yesterday denied claims the underpass was poorly marked and insisted that passengers should have known that 'you never 'Everything pointed to negligence,' Mr Blanco added saying he hoped the tragedy would make passengers understand that they must obey station rules said passengers did not see the signs for the underpass exit and mistakenly headed to a footbridge that had been closed since a 2009 renovation acknowledged that the bridge has been blocked off since last year but insisted there were enough signs telling passengers how to safely reach the beach Friends and relatives gather outside the Legal Medical Institute of Barcelona where the bodies of the victims were taken for identification following the accident A man throws a bouquet of flowers to the tracks at the scene of the crash 'It had a sign system that was well made and it had a loudspeaker service that pointed out that the tracks must not be crossed,' Morlan said The express train also sounded a warning signal as it approached but authorities did not identify them or release a breakdown of their nationalities interior minister for Spain's Catalonia region where the crash happened said the identification of the mutilated bodies 'will not be easy and it will not be fast.' Development Minister Jose Blanco insisted that passengers should have known that 'you never Spain's deadliest train accident since 2003 occurred during a nationwide ritual called Noche de San Juan which is held each June 23 just after the summer solstice People light bonfires in town squares and on beaches said everyone had been looking forward to the party 'The euphoria of getting off the train immediately became screams Rail crews later had to hose down the bloodied train tracks a 29-year-old Moroccan travelling with Mr Cardona Mr Cardona's sister Candy recalled the train's warning whistle I can't get that sound out of my head,' she said Mr Cardona said the underpass was jammed with the overflowing crowd from the train Spanish news agency Europa Press quoted unnamed RENFE officials as saying the express train was travelling at 87mph and the driver tested negative for alcohol and was in shock RENFE refused to confirm or deny the report Aftermath: Police and rescue workers inspect the carnage at Castelldefels station after the train disaster Identification: Witnesses said dismembered bodies were strewn all over the station making identification a difficult business for forensic experts and police all of the injured were 19 or younger and two were minors A day of mourning was declared in the Catalonia region and King Juan Carlos cancelled the annual celebration of his Saint's day Spain's worst previous train accident came in 2003 when 19 people died in a collision between passenger and freight trains in the south-eastern town of Chinchilla Rescue services: Despite the fact that emergency crews were on the scene in minutes many of the injured had been taken to hospital in private cars High-speed impact: The Renfe train was not meant to stop at Platja de Castelldefels station and was passing through at high speed when the accident happened The comments below have been moderated in advance We are no longer accepting comments on this article The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group 10 Jan 2018THIS is the ultra exclusive hideaway in the hills that Barcelona stars Philippe Coutinho Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez all now call home Idyllic Castelldefels is just a short 12-mile drive from the iconic Nou Camp and boasts stunning views out into the Balearic Sea homely Bellamar - an area within Castelldefels - that the Nou Camp stars reside Suarez obviously felt Bellamar was the right place for his former Liverpool team-mate to set up camp - because he bought him a house there Suarez even splashed out on the new pad before Coutinho's £145million move was completed. The Uruguayan's own place is said to be a two-storey home on a farm of almost 2,000 square metres that he spent £2.6m on in December 2014 - and it's right next to Messi's abode. the fact that some of the world's most famous athletes can act like normal people there is of huge appeal who has moved to Spain with his wife Aine and children Maria and Philippe Jr said of Suarez's generosity: "He saw that a house next to his became available "He didn't know I was coming for certain but he liked the idea And clearly the other residents there know their place when it comes to rubbing elbows with some of the biggest stars in the world Ivan Rakitic revealed last year that Messi had bought his neighbour's house, purely because he "wanted to be alone" Ronaldinho also called the area his home when he played for the Blaugrana And it easy to see why given the raft of restaurants and bars to enjoy there Restaurante Amar is voted the best eatery in the area and its huge plates are crammed with fresh seafood Coutinho will settle into an area for its promise of security and privacy sprawling trees and hillside views can be seen not to mention their expansive garden perfect for a young family And he goes out walking the family dog with wife Antonella and their two children That must have been something that appealed to Coutinho given he is also bringing up a young family plus a swimming pool and playground for young Thiago and Mateo Homes in the area normally go for around £4.5m but the top places can bring in much more THE president of a budget Spanish airline claims Barcelona’s airport is unable to expand as planes are not allowed to fly over Lionel Messi’s house Vueling chief Javier Sanchez-Prieto, via Marca claims the area of Castelldefels where Messi and other Barca stars live It’s located just 10km away from the airport Airline bosses were hoping to add more runways in order to allow extra movement in and out of the city But Sanchez-Prieto says the proposed expansion can’t happen “because you cannot pass over where Messi lives.” The agitated president added: “This doesn’t happen anywhere else in the world.” SUN BETS: BET £10 GET A FREE £30 BET Idyllic Castelldefels is just a short 12-mile drive from the iconic Nou Camp and boasts stunning views out into the Med It is the exclusive hideaway where Philippe Coutinho alo recently bought a house The stars all live in a small area know as Bellamar Ivan Rakitic revealed last year that Messi had bought his neighbour’s house, purely because he “wanted to be alone”. On the photos Messi posts on Instagram, sprawling trees and hillside views can be seen, not to mention their expansive garden perfect for a young family. And he goes out walking the family dog with wife Antonella and their two children. That must have been something that appealed to Coutinho given he is also bringing up a young family. Meanwhile, Barcelona reportedly face a battle to keep star defender Samuel Umtiti at the club. He has a £53million release clause in his current contract and is believed to be wanted by Manchester United. But Financial Fair Play rules mean the Spaniards are unable to offer improved terms giving the Red Devils a short window of time to make their interest formal with a bid Catalonia: A world leader in specific areas of scientific research First published: February 27, 2023 10:14 AM Residents in parts of Barcelona and in several towns along Catalonia’s Mediterranean coast woke up to the unusual sight of snow on Monday morning. Snow covered Tibidabo, the high point (512m) of the Collserola mountain range that overlooks the Catalan capital, and was also visible in high-lying parts of the city. At the nearby Fabra Observatory, around 7cm of snow fell throughout the night and early morning. There was heavy snow during Sunday night and Monday morning in areas surrounding Barcelona, such as the cities of Terrassa and Sabadell in Vallès Occidental County and Begues and Viladecans in Baix Llobregat County. Minimum temperatures dropped well below zero in most of Catalonia overnight. Meteocat (the Meteorological Service of Catalonia) confirmed it was the coldest night of winter so far in several areas. Local football club Terrassa FC posted a picture of their stadium looking more like an ice rink than a soccer pitch. The snow even reached coastal areas, such as Castelldefels and Gavà, and some fell in Tarragona, including in the southern city's port, although it did not lie. Snow continued to fall in coastal areas throughout the morning: in the south, in and around Tarragona and the Ebre Delta, and in the north, in the counties of Baix Empordà, Girona, La Selva and Maresme. Manu Reyes Faces the Squatters | X: @manureyeslopez POLITICS Manu Reyes Stands Up and Evicts Squatters: 'I'm the Mayor of Castelldefels'Manu Reyes has followed the example of his party colleague Xavier García Albiol in Badalona02/05/2025 12:20:00h by Redacción Manu Reyes copied the Albiol model by promoting an anti-squatting office in a city especially affected by break-ins The mayor thus reproduces the strategy that is yielding such good results in Badalona but also by hitting the streets and confronting the squatters directly Albiol and Reyes send a clear message to the criminals they are not welcome in Badalona and Castelldefels In the same way Albiol did a few weeks ago he managed to get them to voluntarily leave the property The images were recorded and have been shared on X by the mayor himself the mayor of Castelldefels managed to get a couple of squatters to voluntarily leave an apartment they had illegally occupied Thanks to the collaboration between neighbors he prevented an occupation that could have caused serious inconveniences to the community The operation began when the neighbors quickly alerted the authorities They had seen the squatters entering the property the Local Police and the Mossos acted swiftly he engaged in conversation with the squatters Although at first one of the squatters denied having entered the residence he agreed to leave the property without resorting to violence The verbal confrontation between the mayor and the squatters was tense at certain moments While the female squatter admitted they had entered the apartment illegally Although he tried to downplay the situation the mayor made it clear that he was acting illegally "You are neither the owner nor a tenant; you are occupying the residence without rights," Reyes told him In response to the squatter's provocations the mayor firmly replied: "I'm the mayor of the city." The operation concluded without serious incidents Mayor Reyes celebrated the operation's success with the neighbors and congratulated both the local police and the Mossos "The collaboration between the community and the security forces has been essential I thank everyone who got involved," Reyes stated Reyes did not hesitate to share the good news through his social media where he showed a video of the conversation he thanked the quick intervention of the neighbors and the security forces thanks to the quick response of the neighbors and the police we have prevented an illegal occupation in Canyars," the mayor expressed This incident has made clear the commitment of the mayor of Castelldefels to the safety and well-being of the neighbors he reiterated that he will continue fighting against illegal occupations and will take similar measures in the future if necessary no matter who it bothers," the mayor emphasized The actions of Reyes and the security forces have been an example of how cooperation between citizens and the police can prevent major problems has shown that Castelldefels will not allow illegal occupation situations that could affect the community to persist