Sabadell, with about 225,000 inhabitants, is one of Catalonia's largest cities and, with Terrassa, joint capital of the Vallès Occidental district, about 25 km north of Barcelona. It is a dynamic university and service city, born as a great industrial centre.
History
A medieval village on the Ripoll river, in the 19th century Sabadell became the "Catalan Manchester", along with Terrassa, thanks to the wool industry: dozens of factories, the vapors, with their chimneys, turned the village into a working-class city drawing workers from all over Spain. Banco Sabadell, today one of Spain's main banks, was founded here in 1881.
What to see
- The modernista heritage, with buildings such as the Caixa d'Estalvis, the Mercat Central, the Torre de l'Aigua, the water tower that is the city's symbol, and several bourgeois houses.
- The old textile factories, the vapors, some converted into cultural centres.
- The Sabadell Art Museum and the History Museum.
- Plaça del Doctor Robert, with the town hall, and the old town.
- Catalunya park, a large urban park, and the route along the Ripoll river, with mills and trails.
Living in Sabadell
Sabadell offers full services, a campus of the Autonomous University of Barcelona, hospitals and sports facilities, with prices lower than Barcelona's. It is a common choice for people working in the metropolitan area. The football club, CE Sabadell, has a long history. See also working in Spain.
Festivals
The Festa Major, in early September, with giants, castells and concerts, and the Aplec de la Salut, in May, at the sanctuary of the Mare de Déu de la Salut.
Getting there
Sabadell is linked to Barcelona by Rodalies trains and the Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat line, in about half an hour. Barcelona airport is about 35 km away; there is also a small general aviation airport. See also Barcelona.