Olot, Girona, officially unveiled the transformed Muralla Gardens on 8 May 2026, following months of renovation work. The project has converted the former 3,600 m² Muralla promenade into an expansive garden, creating a new link between the city's historic centre and the Fluvià river.
The renovation, led by Un Parell d’Arquitectes, Eduard Callís and Guillem Moliner, with Elena Masanas, focused on environmental, social, and material improvements. It forms part of the Old Town's PIAM (Plan for Improvement of the Old Town) actions, which have also seen the renovation of Plaça del Carme, Plaça del Conill, and Plaça Major, aiming to regenerate the neighbourhood and enhance public spaces while highlighting the cultural heritage of the city centre.
Community involvement was central to the project, with contributions and support from local residents, the PIAM's core group, and neighbourhood organisations. These groups participated in the celebratory event for the new gardens.
Garden, Circularity, and Connections
The design of the new Muralla Gardens was guided by three core concepts: garden, circularity, and connections. The space now acts as a connector between the Old Town and the Fluvià river. Existing plane trees have been complemented with medium-sized trees and a ground cover of native shrubs and riverine flora, including ivy, daffodils, and old man's beard. Furthermore, traditional sewer grates have been replaced with infiltration elements, allowing rainwater to return directly to the subsoil.
Materials already present on site were reused for the renovation. The old polished concrete pavement was cut into slabs to form the central path and walkways for the aromatic plant garden. Old cobblestones were incorporated into the new paving, and ancient stone structures were repurposed as fountains. Even existing benches and lighting poles were transformed to create picnic areas, tiered seating, and new light points. Each zone is designed for complementary public uses, with all areas being interactive, beyond just the dedicated play zone.
A key element of the project was the participatory and artistic process that helped bring it to life. This involved collaboration with choreographer Tomeu Vergés, artist Quim Domene, and support from the Teatre Principal, other Olot City Council departments, and the Garrotxa Social Action Consortium. This initiative aimed to “undo invisible walls” among citizens and in relation to the space.
To promote cultural value, residents, builders, and citizens shared their experiences, which have been immortalised on 40 brass plaques installed along the promenade. These plaques serve as proof of the connections forged during the renovation, giving the garden a strong sense of identity and belonging.
Pedestrian Priority and Cultural Hub
Alongside the garden's reurbanisation, the project has also calmed traffic on Carrer Valls Vells and reconfigured circulation to prioritise pedestrians, without isolating the neighbourhood. The result is a new street that encourages a calm atmosphere and will continue to host Olot's cultural and social activities.
The presentation event on Friday was opened by architect Eduard Callís. Olot's mayor, Agustí Arbós, then addressed attendees. A round table discussion followed, featuring Sunna-Miwa Anderson, Nourou Aw Tall, Glòria Calm, and Engràcia Valls, who spoke about their involvement in the project. Their experiences were also shown in an audiovisual piece about the gardens' transformation process by Marc Planagumà and Belén Ramos. Turina Serra moderated the discussion.
The event concluded with a guided tour of Belén Ramos's exhibition, “Viatjar sense mapa” ('Travelling Without a Map'), at EspaiRusca. This exhibition documents the renovation and transformation process of the Muralla Gardens through drawings, photography, moving images, text, and continuous records. It shows the construction process as it happened, including the appearance of remnants, the movement of materials, the testing and correction of actions, and the activation of relationships, linking architecture and art. The exhibition will be on display at EspaiRusca until the end of June.
