Barcelona is a city with a long tradition of social and political movements. This is also reflected in the daily life of the city and in the presence of squatter houses. These houses are a phenomenon that has existed for decades in Barcelona and have evolved over time.
What are squats?
Squatters are those houses or buildings illegally occupied by people who are not their owners. These people settle in the building without the permission of the owners, sometimes without having the financial resources to pay rent. These houses are usually abandoned buildings or in poor condition, sometimes even in danger of collapsing.
How do squats work?
Squatter houses are usually organized collectively. This means that the squatters work together to fix the building and to manage their community life. This may include organizing cultural activities, workshops and meetings. This allows squatters to live in a safe and supportive environment.
How do squatter houses affect the city?
Squatters are a controversial phenomenon in Barcelona. On the one hand, there are those who see in them a way of giving life to abandoned buildings. This can help revitalize entire neighborhoods. On the other hand, building owners may feel threatened by the presence of squatters and may have trouble getting their property back. This can cause conflicts between the squatters and the owners.
How can a tourist take advantage of squats?
Although it is not recommended for tourists to settle in squats, there are ways in which they can take advantage of the presence of squats. Many of these houses organize cultural activities open to the public, such as concerts, art exhibitions or workshops. These activities are a good opportunity to get to know the culture of the city in a different way.
What should you keep in mind if you visit a squat?
If you decide to visit a squat, it's important to keep a few things in mind. First, you must respect the privacy of the squatters and behave with discretion. Second, you must respect the limits of the house, such as entry and exit times. Finally, it is important that you respect the rules of the house and that you do not carry out any illegal activity.
Conclusion
Squatters are a phenomenon that have existed for decades in Barcelona and have evolved over time. Although it is not recommended that tourists settle in a squat, there are ways in which they can take advantage of the presence of these houses. If you decide to visit a squatter house, it is important that you take into account some things such as respecting the privacy of the squatters and respecting the rules of the house.