Sant Boi de Llobregat
City and municipality in Catalonia, Spain
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sant Boi de Llobregat (IPA: [ˌsam ˈbɔj ðə ʎuβɾəˈɣat]) is a city in the northeastern region of Spain, situated in Catalonia. It lies in the southern part of the Baix Llobregat area, within the province of Barcelona. The municipality stretches between the Garraf Massif and the Ordal Mountains, collectively known as the Baix Mountains, the Llobregat River, and the Llobregat Delta plain, creating a varied landscape that harmoniously combines urban, agricultural, forested, and riverine environments. According to the Statistical Institute of Catalonia (2024), the city has approximately 84,500 inhabitants, making it the fourteenth most populous in Catalonia, the second largest in the Baix Llobregat after Cornellà de Llobregat, and the eighty-ninth in Spain. Sant Boi de Llobregat forms part of the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona—the second largest and most populous urban region in Spain—and fully integrated into its urban and economic network while preserving a distinctive and enduring local identity.
Spain- Centre
- Marianao
- Ciutat Cooperativa-Molí Nou
- Casablanca
- Camps Blancs
- Vinyets-Molí Vell
Sant Boi de Llobregat | |
|---|---|
View of the Llobregat Delta with Barcelona in the distance and Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat Airport to the right. In the upper left, Sant Boi de Llobregat stands prominently, embraced by the farmlands of the Baix Llobregat Agrarian Park, with the towns of Viladecans and Gavà nearby and the Garraf Massif rising to its left. Cal Fisas Cross of Can Cartró Saint Baudilus Church Hermitage of Saint Raymond The Marianao Palace in Marianao Park Parish of St. Baldiri | |
 Flag  Coat of arms | |
| Nicknames: | |
| Motto: Sant Boi, Pure Inspiration | |
  Sant Boi de Llobregat  Sant Boi de Llobregat  Sant Boi de Llobregat | |
| Coordinates: 41.336°N 2.043°E | |
| Country | Spain |
| Community |  Catalonia |
| Province | Barcelona |
| Comarca | Baix Llobregat |
| Roman Vicus | 70 CE |
| Muslim rule (Alcalà) | 8th–10th centuries CE |
| Frankish conquest | c. 801 CE |
| County of Barcelona | 9th century CE |
| Barony of Sant Boi | 1523 CE |
| Neighborhoods | 6 barris
|
| Government | |
| • Type | Ajuntament |
| • Body | City Council of Sant Boi de Llobregat |
| • Mayor | Lluïsa Moret (PSC) |
| • Deputy Mayor | J. A. Carcelén (PSC) |
| Area | |
• Total | 21.5 km2 (8.3 sq mi) |
| Elevation (AMSL) | 32 m (105 ft) |
| Highest elevation (Can Cartró) | 332 m (1,089 ft) |
| Lowest elevation | −1 m (−3.3 ft) |
| Population (2024)[2] | |
• Total | 84,588 |
| • Rank | 89nd |
| • Density | 3,930/km2 (10,200/sq mi) |
| Demonym(s) | Santboian, Santboianan santboià, -ana (Catalan) santboiano, -ana (Spanish) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code | 08830 |
| Area code | +34 (E) 93 (B) |
| INE code | 082009 |
| City budget (2025) | €118 million[3] |
| Official language | Catalan and Spanish |
| Main festivity | Festa Major |
| Patron saint | Baudilus |
| Website | www |
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Significantly, Sant Boi de Llobregat furthermore serves as the seat of its eponymous Judicial District (No. 12) of the province of Barcelona, which encompasses the municipalities of Sant Climent de Llobregat, Santa Coloma de Cervelló, and Torrelles de Llobregat. The city hosts four Courts of First Instance and Instruction, all operating under the jurisdiction of the High Court of Justice of Catalonia. Its parishes are organized into deaneries under the Diocese of Sant Feliu de Llobregat, reflecting its role as both an administrative and ecclesiastical center.
The town's name has undergone several transformations throughout its history. Its origins trace back to the Latin Sanctus Baudilus, in homage to the French martyr Saint Baudilus, a designation that naturally evolved into the Catalan form, Sant Boi. During the period of Muslim influence, the region's strategic importance meant the fortress was known as Alcalà, a term derived from the Arabic al−qal′a, meaning "the castle." Following the Reconquista, the traditional name dedicated to its patron saint, Sant Baldiri, was eventually cemented. This enduring ecclesiastical connection is likely symbolized by the presence of a bell—a distinctive feature on the town's coat of arms—signifying the spiritual and historical ties to the saint and the local church.
Human presence in the area stretches back to the Neolithic period, around 10,000 years ago, but the foundations of the modern settlement were truly laid during the Roman era. The Romans dubbed the vital Llobregat River the Rubricatus ("the red one"), due to its reddish silt. The flourishing Roman villa was a testament to regional prosperity, operating as a veritable commercial hub. This dynamism is vividly evidenced by its remarkably well-preserved Roman Baths—attesting to the inhabitants' sophisticated lifestyle—and its intense commercial activity. This included the large-scale production and export of local wine amphorae, alongside other agricultural products, all efficiently transported along the Llobregat River and the thriving coastal trade routes.
Sant Boi de Llobregat is known for its agricultural and cultural significance. The city is particularly recognized for the cultivation of artichokes, with the fertile Llobregat Delta plain offering ideal conditions for this crop. Every December, the Fira de la Puríssima, one of Catalonia’s oldest and most well-attended traditional fairs, celebrates the region’s agricultural heritage and marks the start of the Christmas season.
Regarding cultural heritage, the Sant Joan de Déu Health Park features unique architectural gardens that have sparked interest. Recent studies suggest these gardens may have served as an early space for experimentation by renowned architect Antoni Gaudí, offering glimpses of ideas later found in works like Park Güell. Moreover, the city has a deep history of involvement in mental health care, with key institutions like Sant Joan de Déu Health Park and Benito Menni Hospital, which have played a significant role in the development of mental health services in the region.
This concentration of mental care institutions has contributed to Sant Boi de Llobregat being historically nicknamed “la ciudad de los locos” (City of the Crazy). In recent years, however, the city has transformed this legacy into a source of civic pride, embracing its longstanding role in mental health care. Institutions such as the pioneering Catalonia Mental Health Cluster now symbolize Sant Boi de Llobregat’s ongoing contributions to research, innovation, and the promotion of mental well-being.
The city’s importance is also linked to its strategic location within the Barcelona Metropolitan Area. Situated near the Port of Barcelona and Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat Airport, the city plays a key role in regional logistics and economic activities. In addition, Sant Boi de Llobregat is internationally recognized as the hometown of Pau and Marc Gasol, two NBA legends, and Manel Esteller, a prominent scientist, reflecting its contribution to both global sports and scientific research.
Economy
Although the main business activity is trading, which is centered around the service sector, Sant Boi is also known for industrial activities, especially metallurgy. Agriculturally, its mild climate and fertile waterlogged lands, located at the mouth of the Llobregat river, produce a wide variety of vegetables, including the famous Llobregat Delta artichokes. The region offers three different artichoke varieties: white artichoke from Tudela, camús from Bretagne (considered to be the largest variety) and artichoke from Benicarló. Production is concentrated mostly in March, but products can be found in local markets throughout the year.
Politics
The mayor of the town is Lluïsa Moret (Socialists' Party of Catalonia, PSC), and the political composition of the city council seats is as follows:
- Socialists' Party of Catalonia: 10
- Initiative for Catalonia Greens: 4
- Citizens – Party of the Citizenry: 3
- Republican Left of Catalonia: 3
- Gent de Sant Boi: 2
- People's Party: 2
- Convergence and Union: 1
History
The finding of archaeological remains corresponding to Iberian colonies (VI-I bC) and to the Romans (I-V aC)―a noteworthy Roman bath is located near the river―suggests that Sant Boi was created in pre-Roman times.
As with most of the surrounding lands, from the 8th to the 11th century the town was controlled by the Moors, until their expulsion from Iberia during the Reconquista. The Moors called it Alcalá, which means "castle", due to the existence of a hillock from where the river and the valley were dominated. The town's current name is derived from the name of Saint Baudilus, known as Boi or Baldiri in Catalonia.[4]
During the Middle Ages, the village progressively grew, expanding from the castle's surroundings to adjacent zones. A baroque-style church was built during the 16th century. The growth continued in the following centuries, giving rise to numerous "masies" (typical Catalan agricultural country houses) near the river and fertile lands. By the end of the 19th century, Sant Boi was a village of nearly 5,000 inhabitants, with an economy driven mainly by agriculture.
In the early stages of the 20th century, industry arrived and subsequently flourished in Sant Boi, ranging from brick manufacturing to metalwork. With the end of the Spanish Civil War in 1939, there was a massive influx of immigrants from many different parts of Spain. These new arrivals consisted mostly of people from villages and small towns. They were searching for jobs and career opportunities in the city of Barcelona since it was stimulated by the regrowth of Catalan industry in post-war Spain.
The population rose from 10,000 people in 1940 to 65,000 in 1975. This period is characterized by the construction of complete quarters (Casablanca, Camps Blancs, and Cooperativa) for the housing of immigrants. Sant Boi is now a town with more than 80,000 inhabitants, with well-established industrial and service sectors, and good cultural and recreational offerings.
Demography
| 1900 | 1930 | 1950 | 1970 | 1986 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5,311 | 8,867 | 10,811 | 50,051 | 75,789 | 83,605 |
Notable places
- Sant Baldiri's Church
- Roman Bathhouses
- Sant Ramon Hermitage
Sport
The town has a rugby union club (UE Santboiana), and a football club (FC Santboià).
Prominent people from Sant Boi
- Sergio Aguza – footballer
- Carlos Casquero – former footballer
- Pau Gasol – NBA player (Memphis Grizzlies, Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls, San Antonio Spurs)
- Marc Gasol – NBA player (Memphis Grizzlies,Toronto Raptors)
- Both Gasol brothers were actually born in Barcelona, at the hospital where their parents worked. The family moved from another Barcelona suburb, Cornellà, to Sant Boi when Pau was 6 years old and Marc was a year old.
- Oriol Ripol – professional rugby player
- Manel Esteller – scientist
- Toni Ribas – pornographic actor and director