Sea School Delay: Mayor, Where Is It?

Sea School Delay: Mayor, Where Is It?

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The children of the School of the Sea, today located in Guinardó, two years ago, when they were visited by Mayor Collboni, then released, and asked why, as they had been promised, the historic building of Barceloneta, destroyed in 1938 by fascist bombs, had not been rebuilt. They took the mayor in Contrapeu. I didn’t know what they were talking about. And he told them he would put himself. Two years later, the children returned the visit to the consistory this Friday and, smiling but determined, they asked him again: “Mayor, and the reconstruction of the School of the Sea, what?” The mayor has told them it will be done, yes … but it is not yet known where or when. The school would not be for them, but for the city. But they have made it theirs: they are their roots.

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In the big house, all political groups (less Vox) agree to be done. ERC negotiated the PSC‘s commitment. But time passes without progress. Opportunities have been lost along the way. At the end of the Colau mandate there was a project and money, with the art biennial, it is excited to contribute to a historical recovery so full of meaning. The end result? Nothing at all. The centenary of the emblematic building, singular in wood by Josep Goday, has been left behind. A wonder, also for the content: that exemplary institution raised on the beach sand, a lighthouse of the most advanced pedagogy and which hosted sick children from vulnerable families, is a world leader. It deserves a new life.

The Councilor for Education, Lluís Rabell, tells me that the desire to recover it is firm and that the chief architect, Maria Bohigas, “is looking for a location and a feasible proposal”, but then warns that “it will not be of maximum” and that there are a few technical and urban “obstacles”. Oh …! In any case, the idea is to recreate the wooden building and host the National Museum of Education of Catalonia, promoted by two subsidiaries of the Institut d’Estudis Catalans (IEC). Rabell does not dare to put dates. Everything indicates that by 2026, when Barcelona houses the International Congress of Architecture, there will be no school of the Sea. Too bad. He would have aroused the admiration of professionals from all over. Another lost opportunity.

So much slow to rebuild the Sea School generates frustration in the promoters of the project and in the children heirs of that wonderful story. ”

So much slowly exasperates the promoters of the project, especially the architect Marc Cuixart, who has been fighting and encountering the disappointing municipal reality for more than a decade. The good initial words of the different policy makers have never been translated into action. The director of the Heiress School of the Sea School, Teresa Guillaumes, is still skeptical, but it does not fail: “We will continue to insist, we will continue to work.”

Goday designed it in 1920, and in 1922 it was already inaugurated. They spent only two years. And that was not exactly placid time: between 1916 and 1923 there were no more than nine mayors, in the midst of a polarized society marked by street violence. In 1920, 49 people died in Barcelona in Barcelona or because of the bombs. But the School of the Sea was done: the pedagogical utopia opened. Before, in 1914, the forest school had already been made in Montjuïc. Education was at the center of a social change project. It was a political priority. Is it really today?

Now the Sea School is not being done. There is a lot of talk about it, yes. And see that we need more than ever educational optimism. Make us in the best past to get out of the educational bewilderment of the present. Pere Vergés, director and factotum of that school, understood him as “a Republic of Children” who, reading and drawing, playing and doing manual work, in contact with nature, with “active leisure and active silence”, learned to think and be formed in intellect and sensitivity. The great educator Vergés read little pedagogy and was very inspired by Goethe, D’Ors and Maragall. Through the beauty of the word sought the beauty of the soul.

All this is the legacy of the Sea School. It must be rebuilt and projected. Without further delay. Let’s make it once, please.

the School of the Sea: A Legacy Delayed, a Future Uncertain

The children of the school of the Sea persist, their voices echoing the urgent need for the reconstruction of their historic institution [[3]].This iconic building, once a beacon of progressive pedagogy, remains a poignant symbol of a city’s broken promise. The original School of the Sea, designed by Josep Goday and opened in 1922, stood as a testament to Barcelona’s commitment to education, particularly for children from vulnerable families. Its destruction during the Spanish Civil War represents a loss that continues to resonate, especially given the school’s innovative approach and global importance. Our examination reveals a frustrating pattern of delays and unfulfilled commitments, leaving the future of this vital institution in doubt.

A Timeline of Broken Promises

| Event | Date | Status | Key Players |

| :———————————– | :———— | :——————————————————————————————- | :——————————————– |

| Original School Inauguration | 1922 | Operational for a brief period, showcasing innovative pedagogical principles. | Josep Goday, Pere Vergés |

| School Destruction | 1938 | Destroyed by fascist bombs during the Spanish Civil War. | |

| initial Reconstruction Promises | Late 2010s | Repeated promises from various municipal administrations. | Various Mayors of Barcelona |

| Project and Funding Proposed | Late 2010s | Project proposed with funding allocation but wasn’t executed. | Ada Colau governance (former Mayor) |

| Current Status | 2024-2025 | Planning phase, searching for location and feasible proposal with no confirmed timeline. | Mayor Jaume Collboni, Lluís rabell (Education)|

| Anticipated Completion (Originally) | 2026 | Possible opening in time for the International Congress of Architecture. | |

Note: the table indicates some of the relevant information, with the current date as 2025-06-27.

Understanding the Delays: A Deep Dive

The persistent delays in the reconstruction of the School of the Sea are a complex issue, involving urban planning challenges, budgetary constraints, and, most importantly, a perceived lack of political will. The current administration acknowledges the project’s importance, but faces considerable hurdles in securing a suitable location and generating feasible proposals.Lluís Rabell, the Councilor for Education, has expressed a firm desire to recover the school. However, there are meaningful obstacles. This has led to skepticism among those involved,including the architect Marc Cuixart and the current director of the Heiress School of the Sea School,Teresa Guillaumes,who,despite the delays,still continues to work towards the project’s realization. The reconstruction of the School of the Sea isn’t just about rebuilding a structure; it’s about preserving a legacy of educational innovation and providing a physical space for future generations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about the School of the Sea’s reconstruction project, providing clear and concise answers:

Q: What was the original purpose of the School of the Sea?

A: The School of the Sea was designed to provide education and care for children, particularly those from vulnerable backgrounds.It was a pioneering institution, incorporating innovative pedagogical methods and a strong emphasis on hands-on learning.

Q: When was the original School of the Sea destroyed?

A: The original building was destroyed during the Spanish Civil War, in 1938 [[1]].

Q: Who designed the original School of the Sea?

A: The original building was designed by Josep Goday in 1920.

Q: What is the current status of the reconstruction project?

A: The project is currently in the planning phase,with the city government exploring potential locations and developing a feasible proposal. There is no confirmed opening date.

Q: Why has it taken so long to rebuild the school?

A: The delays are due to a combination of factors, including urban planning challenges, bureaucratic hurdles, budgetary constraints, and a lack of political prioritization.

Q: Who are the main advocates for the school’s reconstruction?

A: Prominent advocates include the children of the School of the Sea (past and present), the architect marc Cuixart, and the director of the heiress School of the sea School, Teresa Guillaumes, as well as various advocates in the local education community.

Q: What is the significance of the School of the sea?

A: The School of the Sea is significant becuase it represents Barcelona’s commitment to education and progressive pedagogy. It offers a past lesson and a symbol of hope. Its reconstruction would also offer the city a chance to continue its legacy by nurturing creativity and progress.

Q: What is the role of the National museum of Education of Catalonia in the project?

A: The idea of the wooden building is to host the National Museum of Education of Catalonia, which speaks to the commitment to the education of the region, and also the historical significance of the school.

By addressing these points, this article hopes to contribute to the discussion and provide both the public and the municipality with a sense of direction on how to continue.

Aiko Tanaka

Aiko Tanaka is a combat sports journalist and general sports reporter at Archysport. A former competitive judoka who represented Japan at the Asian Games, Aiko brings firsthand athletic experience to her coverage of judo, martial arts, and Olympic sports. Beyond combat sports, Aiko covers breaking sports news, major international events, and the stories that cut across disciplines — from doping scandals to governance issues to the business side of global sport. She is passionate about elevating the profile of underrepresented sports and athletes.

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