Political prisoners

The Trinitat Vella women’s prison opened in 1963. A large number of political prisoners were transferred there. The nuns, who were staunch supporters of Franco’s regime, sought to eradicate the political prisoners’ beliefs. After Franco’s death, 14 prisoners went on hunger strike to protest against the degrading treatment they received. Following the 1978 prison reform, the nuns were replaced by female prison officers and the new prison regulations were implemented. In 1983, the prison became the Centre Penitenciari de Joves for people under the age of 21. Demolition work on the former prison began in 2009: today, the centre only accommodates young people in open custody.

Memory of Francoist repression

The prison will be partially demolished. The Government of Catalonia has agreed to preserve the guardhouse of the Trinitat women’s prison and designate it a Cultural Asset of National Interest (BCIN) as a historic site. This is the highest level of heritage protection and recognises the importance of the site as a key memorial to Francoist repression against women.

The planned protection includes the preservation of the guardhouse building and the sentry box.