01 Apr High-tech, custom security solutions for Barcelona’s Las Ramblas
The anti-terrorism protection systems now securing Las Ramblas in Barcelona were specifically designed, tested, and manufactured by Pilomat.
Las Ramblas is Barcelona’s most iconic and visited location—“the only street in the world I wish would never end,” wrote Federico García Lorca. It’s one of the world’s oldest and most fascinating examples of a tree-lined boulevard with a central pedestrian path.
This distinctive layout enhances the sense of shared public space and encourages social interaction, making Las Ramblas the true heartbeat of Barcelona’s urban life. Walking along this iconic paseo offers immediate immersion in the city’s vibrant and welcoming atmosphere.
Stretching for around 1.5 km, Las Ramblas runs continuously from Plaça de Catalunya—linking the historic center with the 19th-century expansion—down to the Christopher Columbus Monument at Port Vell, the historic port redeveloped for the 1992 Olympics. Along the way, it connects many key public buildings and spaces.
On August 17, 2017, Las Ramblas’ lively energy was shaken by a terrorist attack: a van entered the pedestrian area, causing numerous casualties and injuries among locals and tourists. In response, the city developed a safety plan that improves security without compromising the visual character or accessibility of the site.
The new security infrastructure includes minimally invasive yet highly effective measures to prevent vehicle access to pedestrian areas. Pilomat, a global leader in vehicular access control systems, is contributing to this prestigious project with high-performance, custom-designed anti-terrorism bollards.
“We enthusiastically joined the Barcelona project,” says Alessandra Acerbis, Sales Manager at Pilomat, “bringing over 20 years of expertise to ensure the highest safety standards for Las Ramblas—Barcelona’s main social hub.”
The intervention includes the installation of around 500 bollards, along with upgrades to the paving and surrounding infrastructure.
How was the contract awarded?
“The tender was won by a major general contractor who turned to Pilomat to develop bollards with custom aesthetic features. The public tender required bollards with a textured cylindrical surface inspired by the Columbus Monument column, and a specific color.”
The unique surface required Pilomat to design entirely new models and carry out crash tests to ensure compliance with performance standards. Depending on location, the installation includes both fixed and retractable bollards, rated to stop vehicles weighing 7.5 tons traveling at 50 km/h (K4) and 80 km/h (K12).
A showcase of safety, design, and engineering excellence
The Pilomat bollards installed along Las Ramblas reflect not only the technological and aesthetic excellence of the Italian company based in Grassobbio (Bergamo), but also its unmatched flexibility in developing tailored solutions, combining advanced engineering with refined design.
To meet the specific requirements of the tender, Pilomat redesigned three anti-terrorism models from its High Security line, all tested to the latest international standards (IWA14, PAS68, ASTM):
- 275/K12-900A (automatic)
- 275/K12FB-900F (fixed base)
- 275/K12SF-900F (shallow foundation)
These models feature:
- Textured cylindrical bodies, inspired by the Columbus column
- Diameter: 275 mm; Height above ground: 900 mm
- Custom vermilion red color
- Crash-rated performance (K12)
Technology and performance designed for demanding urban spaces
The 275/K12-900A hydraulic automatic bollards are ideal for secure, efficient vehicle access control. Designed for intensive daily use (up to 2,000 cycles/day, with a lifespan of 3,000,000 cycles), the bollard rises and retracts smoothly into its underground housing, which contains all mechanical and control systems.
The version developed for Barcelona features:
- Top-mounted multi-LED warning lights
- Audible motion alerts
- Custom stone-integration casing for seamless installation with Las Ramblas’ cobbled pavement
The 275/K12FB-900F fixed bollards include a standard deep foundation (over 50 cm below ground), while the 275/K12SF-900F shallow foundation version features a horizontally extended base just 30 cm deep, ideal for areas with underground utilities.
With over 50 years of experience in security systems and more than 20 years of specialization in fixed and automatic bollards, Pilomat delivers world-class solutions that combine technical excellence, custom design, and rigorous engineering.
