Barcelona's urban farms have been renovated and now feature educational trails
The animal enclosures have been renovated to ensure optimum conditions and pasture areas have been marked out, with new fences, troughs and feeders adapted to each species. New educational trails have also been installed with information panels telling the history of the farms and highlighting the value of agriculture, livestock farming and vegetable gardens in urban environments.
Both the Masia de Can Mestres, in the Sants-Montjuïc district, and the Masia de Can Cadena, in Sant Martí, have renovated their facilities to ensure optimum conditions for the animals.
They have also marked out pasture areas and have installed troughs and feeders suitable for each species. These farms are currently home to hens, geese and ducks, and mammals such as rabbits, goats and sheep.
In the pasture areas varieties of Mediterranean fruit trees have been planted, including almond, cherry, plum, pomegranate and jujube trees, among other species, which will also provide natural shade for the animals during the summer months.
The Masia de Can Mestres covers an area of 7,000 square metres which include vegetable gardens and orchards, pasture areas and the farmhouse and stables, while Can Cadena covers an area of 2,132 square meters.
Improved education programme
The two farms have both installed an educational trail featuring information panels which take visitors on a historical tour of the farms, show the value of agriculture and livestock farming today and highlight the importance of vegetable gardens and orchards, biodiversity and composting in urban environments.
At Can Mestres, there is also a classroom where educational activities for children, school groups, entities and the general public are held.
The farms are open to the public weekends from 10.00 am to 2.00 pm, although Can Mestres will be closed at the weekend from Sant Joan to La Mercè (25 June to 23 September).
Every year, more than 3,000 primary and secondary school children from the city visit these spaces to take part in their educational programmes.
