El Fort Pienc is a neighbourhood in the Eixample district, where Philip V had built a fortified area that included a military citadel, the Ciutadella, and an advance fort, called Pius or Pienc. The fortification was knocked down at the end of the 19th century and was replaced by one of the city's main railway stations, which brought life to the neighbourhood by facilitating communication with other parts of Barcelona and elsewhere.

Gradually El Fort Pienc established itself and acquired various urban facilities. This gave rise to the large number of civic and cultural associations to be found in the neighbourhood today, which organise events and activities all year round but especially for the festa major.

The Associació de Veïns i Veïnes del Fort Pienc is in charge of organising this annual festival. It coordinates all the organisations taking part and draws up a very varied programme from the suggestions they put forward. The result is a festival calendar with something for everyone that kicks off in the first fortnight in June and is concentrated in the local streets, squares and civic centres. The pick of the programme includes the cercavila de gegants, the trobada castellera, a cantada d'havaneres, children's workshops and entertainment, concerts, dances, sports competitions and big communal meals.

Origins

The festa major has been held since 1995.