The city in flames

On the night of July 25, 1835, one disappointing bullfight set the city ablaze. Along the waterfront at the old bullring of La Barceloneta, frustrated crowds watched six tame bulls fail to deliver any excitement. When the fifth bull entered the ring, angry spectators tore up benches and chairs, hurling them into the arena. After the final bull was killed, rioters dragged its carcass through the narrow streets, and what began as disappointment exploded into violent rage.

By nightfall, flames consumed at least six convents across the medieval quarters. The Discalced Trinitarians convent, on the site where the grand Liceu opera house stands today, burned completely. The Carmelite convent near the bustling market area met the same fate. Thick smoke filled the tight alleyways as citizens and volunteers battled the fires with nothing but buckets and hand pumps.

This night, known as the Night of Sant Jaume or Saint James, revealed how unprepared the city was for such disasters. Before this, construction workers, carpenters and locksmiths were simply called by church bells to fight fires. Within months of the burning, the Society of Mutual Insurance against Fire was established, and architect Josep Mas i Vila formed the first professional fire company with 30 workers, 8 carpenters and 2 locksmiths.