It was replaced long ago by the modern fish auction building closer to the port.

Earlier this month, a portion of the old building succumbed to the effects of the heavy rain storms that have been plaguing much of Catalonia this fall.

The building has not been in use for years as it is affected by aluminosis — degeneration of the cement used in its construction.

The roof had by now deteriorated so much that it simply could not support the accumulated amount of rain water.

The building — at least the white part of it — was therefore demolished. The red rood of the old structure is still standing.

Rainwater has caused damaged throughout Blanes, and emergency services have had to remove a number of uprooted trees and damaged walls.

Last month 36 people had to be evacuated from an apartment building along Joaquim Ruyra as run-off from the rains had damaged the building’s foundation.

A public company has been awarded the 22.7 million euro contract.

The project involves construction of a new outer breakwater — the bi-level dike where tourists watch the fishing fleet return home in the late afternoon.

Fishing boats in the harbor of Blanes
Copyright: I have seen this before – Used by permission

The new dam will be 595 meters long, extending both the fishing dock and the promenade. The fishermen will be provided with more working space and additional equipment and service facilities.

The need for renovation of the existing dike has been acknowledged for years. But though Blanes is the region’s most important fishing harbor, generating 2,550 tons of fish in 2008, money for repairs was always in short supply.

That changed when a severe winter storm in December of 2008 caused extensive damage to the port’s already crumbling breakwater.

The storm, said to be the worst Catalonia has seen in 50 years, also damaged pleasure boats, fishing vessels and tourist ferries. Some ships sank, while others broke free of their moorings and smashed to pieces when 4-6 meter high waves tossed them onto the beach.

At the time the harbor expansion project had been stranded in the offices of the Ministry of the Environment.

Punta de Santa Ana

Speaking of which, the expansion project will be carried out with great attention for the environment.

Great care has been taken that the coast line of the Punta de Santa Ana, the series of small coves and rocky islands just North of the harbor, will not be changed.

For that reason the new dock will start at the same point where the dike is currently located.

Jetty for the Ferry Boats

As part of the project, which is expected to take 23 months, a jetty will be built alongside the counterdike to facilitate the tour boats that ferry passengers between Blanes and various other seaside resorts along the coast.

These ferry boats carry 50.000 passengers annually.

The project also aims to strengthen the integration between the port and the city of Blanes by better promotion of its pedestrian promenade.