08/03/2026
Barcelona Retro: The Gateway to the North (1989)
Take a trip back to 1989, just three years before the Olympic Games transformed Barcelona forever. This snapshot shows the Avinguda Meridiana, the city's great northern artery, buzzing with the raw energy of the late 80s.
The Birth of the N-152
What makes this image particularly iconic for road enthusiasts and locals alike is the prominent road marking for the N-152.
While today we navigate via complex tunnel systems and modern highways like the C-17, this was the official starting point of the National Route 152. From this very asphalt in the heart of the city, the road stretched out toward Vic, Ripoll, and all the way to the French border at Puigcerdà. A Glimpse of the Past
The Fleet: Check out the classic SEATs and old-school delivery trucks hauling crates—a far cry from today's electric hybrids.
The Aesthetic: Notice the vintage street signs and the massive hand-painted murals/billboards on the buildings to the right.
The Transition: In 1989, the Meridiana was a pure "urban highway," a dense concrete river connecting the Mediterranean to the Pyrenees.
Before the "Barcelona Model" of urban renewal fully took hold, this was the city in its gritty, functional, and authentic glory.
NOTE: This image was originally shared in the Facebook group: "Carreteras, ayer y hoy". A treasure trove for lovers of the history of our infrastructure and automotive culture.
