SER Historia - "El pistolerismo en Barcelona"
Date: February 17, 2026
Host: SER Podcast (Nacho, Host "A")
Guest: David Revillés, co-author of El pistolerisme a Barcelona
Overview
This episode delves into one of the darkest and most turbulent chapters in Barcelona's history: the era of pistolerismo between 1917 and 1923. Host Nacho and journalist David Revillés (author of El pistolerisme a Barcelona) explore how social, economic, and political upheavals transformed the city into a violent battleground of gunmen, syndicalists, industrialists, and international spies. Together, they bring to life the stories, places, and personalities that shaped this noir period, showcasing how the city’s historic divisions still echo today.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Historical Context: Dual Barcelonas and the Rise of Violence
- Aftermath of WWI:
- Barcelona’s industry and strategic port caused an economic boom during WWI, particularly from French war contracts.
- “La Primera Guerra Mundial… generó eso, muchísimo dinero… durante esos seis años… había dos Barcelonas, una que vivió un periodo de riqueza, de exceso de riqueza… y luego la mayoría… que trabajaban doce, trece horas… y que no llegaban a final de mes.” (David, 01:50)
- Barcelona’s industry and strategic port caused an economic boom during WWI, particularly from French war contracts.
- Social Divide:
- The wealth gap widened drastically. Sightings of lavish restaurants and hotels contrasted with mass poverty and exploitation.
- The environment bred collective tension, giving rise to routine urban violence.
- “Era una ciudad… donde la violencia es cotidiana… sorprende entender cómo los barceloneses… convivieron con esa violencia tan flagrante.” (David, 04:12)
Barcelona: "Chicago con política"
- Daily Danger:
- Ordinary people risked getting caught in the crossfire, not only syndicalist gunmen or criminals.
- Example: The bombing at Cabaret Pompeya, where a simple night out ended in tragedy.
- “Entra un pistolero, deja un paquete, pone una gorra encima, es una bomba… hace que mueran un buen puñado de personas.” (David, 04:38)
- Media Portrayal:
- National and local press regularly reported assassinations, bombings, and ambushes.
- “Era una ciudad, como... Francesc Bombí me comentaba… era Chicago con política.” (David, 03:25)
- National and local press regularly reported assassinations, bombings, and ambushes.
The Struggle: Workers vs. Industrialists
- Catalyst Events:
- Hunger, price gouging, and the fight for workers' rights—the “mecha” (fuse) for larger conflict.
- “La especulación… el bacalao seco, las patatas, el carbón… por las nubes… vemos una ciudad que hace esa exhibición del triunfo de la riqueza.” (David, 06:45)
- Hunger, price gouging, and the fight for workers' rights—the “mecha” (fuse) for larger conflict.
- The Huelga de la Canadiense (1919):
- A pivotal strike that won the first legal 8-hour workday in Spain.
- “Va a conseguir la jornada de 8 horas por primera vez por ley en un país.” (David, 07:55)
- A pivotal strike that won the first legal 8-hour workday in Spain.
Colorful and Sinister Figures
- The ‘Barón de Koenig’:
- Friedrich Stallman, a double agent and casino con man, embodies the era’s mix of vice and espionage.
- “Este Barón de Koenig... no era varón, se llamaba Friedrich Stallman, era un espía doble... era un mina para enriquecerse.” (David, 09:16)
- Collaborated with Manuel Bravo Portillo, the infamous police commissioner entangled in espionage.
- “El gran escándalo del espionaje durante la Primera Guerra Mundial en España.” (David, 10:20)
- Led a gang of hired pistoleros doing dirty work for industrialists.
- Friedrich Stallman, a double agent and casino con man, embodies the era’s mix of vice and espionage.
- The Assassination of Salvador Seguí (“Noi del Sucre”):
- Seguí, central to the labor movement, was shot in 1923. His funeral drew 300,000 people.
- “Cuando lo asesinan… muere un mito… era un personaje clave en la huelga de la canadiense…” (David, 11:58)
- “Congregó más de 300.000 personas en Barcelona. Es una auténtica brutalidad entender estos personajes cómo arrastraban al movimiento obrero.” (David, 13:28)
- Seguí, central to the labor movement, was shot in 1923. His funeral drew 300,000 people.
Barcelona: City of Espionage
- Espías and Contraespías:
- Neutral Spain became a haven for spies; Barcelona’s cabarets bustled with espionage agents.
- “Recomiendo un libro… Nidos de espías… Barcelona es el gran foco del espionaje.” (David, 14:57)
- Comisario Bravo Portillo allegedly sold ship information to the Germans, dooming vessels to U-boat attacks.
- “Era un espía pagado por los alemanes… pasaba información para que barcos españoles fueran hundidos…” (David, 15:42)
- Neutral Spain became a haven for spies; Barcelona’s cabarets bustled with espionage agents.
Memory and Urban Landscape Today
- Historical Tours:
- Many murder sites and legendary venues still exist. Guided tours retrace these locations, bringing history alive for Barcelonans and visitors.
- “Lo que es increíble es recorrer la ciudad con otra mirada, ir al lugar en la calle Balmes número 26… donde asesinan a francés Lairet… donde matan a Salvador Seguí…” (David, 16:55)
- Much of today’s cityscape overlays this turbulent past, offering an invitation to “pisar la historia—step on history.”
- “Cuando yo empiezo el recorrido ahí y les digo a mis grupos estáis pisando historia, pues es literal y permite… es un viaje en el tiempo.” (David, 17:51)
- Many murder sites and legendary venues still exist. Guided tours retrace these locations, bringing history alive for Barcelonans and visitors.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On the era’s violence:
- “En Barcelona hay un millón de pistolas dispuestas a matar. Quizás es un poco exagerado… pero lo que sí es cierto es que hay una presencia permanente de armas…” (David, 05:44)
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On social contrast:
- “Imaginémonos que somos trabajadores… no llegamos a final de mes… pero vamos a pasear por la Rambla… y vemos una exhibición de riqueza absoluta.” (David, 06:56)
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On the legacy and emotion of place:
- “Ir al lugar donde matan a Salvador Seguí… no deja de ser emotivo a la vez que terrible…” (David, 17:05)
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On urban memory:
- “Estáis pisando historia, pues es literal y permite… es una ensoñación, es un viaje en el tiempo.” (David, 17:51)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- [00:02–01:33]: Introduction to the period of pistolerismo in Barcelona
- [01:33–04:00]: Context—impact of WWI, social divide, “Chicago con política”
- [04:00–06:21]: Life and danger on the streets, daily violence and media coverage
- [06:21–09:02]: Industrial conflict, workers’ movements, “La Canadiense” strike
- [09:02–11:41]: Intriguing figures—Barón de Koenig, espionage, criminal bands
- [11:41–14:20]: The legacy of Salvador Seguí, massive popular mobilization after his death
- [14:20–16:29]: Espionage in neutral Barcelona, the parallel world of spies and police
- [16:29–18:23]: Modern echoes: historical sites and walking tours
- [18:23-end]: Closing thanks and mention of routes & book
Final Notes
The episode offers a gripping, accessible account of Barcelona’s urban and social fabric when violence was routine and alliances unclear. The city’s noir legacy, spectacular historical figures, and surviving locations make this a fascinating lens through which to understand both the past and present of Barcelona.
