Rubi

Rubí is a municipality in Catalonia (Spain), in the comarca of Vallès Occidental and the province of Barcelona, 15 kilometers from Barcelona. It is bordered on the north by Terrassa and Ullastrell, on the south by Sant Cugat del Vallès, on the west by Castellbisbal and on the east by Sant Quirze del Vallès.

History

The city is believed to be of Roman origin, in view of the number of amphoras and writings that have been found, although the city was reportedly founded 986 with the name of Rivo Rubeo. At the death of Wilfred the Hairy, the border between Al-Andalus and Catalan counties was delimited by the river Llobregat, with Catalans to the north and Muslims to the south; Rubí was therefore very close to the border.

In 1233, Berenguer de Rubí asked the king Jaume I to build a new castle, which is now the Ecomuseu Castell de Rubí, a museum about the town.

With the Industrial Revolution, the town's population grew dramatically, with the decline of agriculture and the growth of textile industries near the Riera de Rubí. Some of the early mills still exist.

In 1919 Rubí was connected to Barcelona and Terrassa by railway and the new, rich bourgeoisie built modernista-style buildings such as the Escoles Ribas and Torre Bassas. The Celler Cooperatiu was built during the period of the Commonwealth of Catalonia and the dominance of the cooperativism in agriculture.

Industry developed very quickly and now many different kinds of industries are located in Rubí, ranging from textile manufacturing to electronics and chemical products. Some of these factories have been closed in recent years to move to China or eastern countries.

Rubí lost most of its agriculture in 1962, when disastrous flooding destroyed the lowest part of the town and affected the cities near the Riera de Rubí. Those floods are considered to have been the worst such catastrophe to have occurred in Spain.

Since the 1990s, Rubí has been receiving a new wave of immigration from South America and North Africa.

Main sights

• Castle
• Celler Cooperatiu, a Modernist building constructed in 1920-1921
• Church of Sant Pere
• Roman archaeological site of Ca n'Oriol
• Ethnographical Museum
• Can Oriol Forest
• Typical Farmhouses Route

Health

Rubí has three health centers (CAP): CAP1 Mútua de Terrassa, CAP2 Anton de Borja and CAP3 Sant Genís. In addition, there is the Ferran Salsas i Roig Health Orientation Center (COS) and a mental health day center (CDSM). A new hospital is being planned in Can Sant Joan.

Transportation

The municipality of Rubí is situated near one of Catalonia's main communications hubs. Its public transport lines are included in the integrated fare system of Barcelona, under the aegis of the Autoritat del Transport Metropolità.

Railway

Both the main railway companies that operate in Catalonia have stations in Rubí.

Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya's lines, known as "Metro del Vallès", join Barcelona with Terrassa and Sabadell. Lines S1 and S5 serve Rubí.

Renfe Rodalies Barcelona opened a new station in Rubí a few years ago. Line R7 serves Rubi's RENFE station and joins Martorell with Barcelona

Urban Buses

• L1 - El Pinar - Can Serrafossà
• L2 - El Pinar/Can Rosés - Can Vallhonrat
• L3 - Castellnou - Estació
• L4 - Can Rosés - Estació
• L5 - Estació - Can Rosés
• L6 - Pol. La Bastida - Pol. Rubí Sud

Interurban Bus

• Autos Castellbisbal. SA: Rubí - El Papiol - Molins de Rei
• Autos Castellbisbal. SA: Rubí - Castellbisbal
• Autos Castellbisbal. SA: Sabadell - Sant Quirze del Vallès - Rubí - Hospital General
• Sarbus nocturno (N61): Barcelona - Rubí - Les Fonts
• Sarbus B7: Rubí - Sant Cugat del Vallès - Cerdanyola del Vallès
• Sarbus B8: Sant Quirze del Vallès - Terrassa - Rubí - Sant Cugat del Vallès
• Transports Generals d'Olesa, S.A.: Ullastrell - Rubí - Terrassa