Spain's Oldest Bookstore Prepares for Reopening

Spain's historic Roca Bookstore in Manresa (Barcelona), which at over 200 years old is the oldest in Spain and the third oldest in Europe, is set to reopen in the coming months. This revival is led by the nephew of its last owner, Maria Alba Serra, who passed away suddenly in May 2023, leading to the store's closure. Founded in 1824, it is also the oldest commercial establishment in Manresa (population 80,000) and served as the setting for the TV3 series 'Rosa', the continuation of the successful Catalan public television soap opera 'Poble Nou'.

In Spain, the 'active' bookstore holding the title of the oldest is Hijos de Santiago Rodríguez in Burgos, which has served readers uninterruptedly for 175 years. However, Roca in Manresa, which opened its doors 201 years ago, is a true symbol of traditional Catalan commerce.

Founded by printer Pau Roca i Pujol, it began as a bookstore and printing house, offering religious books that supplied the Montserrat monastery. Missionary Antoni Maria Claret, founder of the Claretians, entrusted Pau Roca with the printing and distribution of his writings throughout Catalonia.

The facade of the iconic establishment, located in the heart of Manresa's old town, has withstood the test of time and retains the charm of those historical city corners, in this case, a small and captivating literary temple that catches the eye of passers-by, especially bibliophiles.

The closure of the store in 2023 left a significant void in the heart of Manresa. The unexpected death of its owner led to the iconic business closing its doors, generating a sense of sadness among the city's residents.

Now, the nephew of the last owner has decided to take over the business, preserving its essence and bicentennial legacy. The establishment has received a municipal grant of nearly 19,000 euros as part of a City Council program supporting historic businesses, which will initiate the interior restoration of the bookstore and its adaptation to the new needs of the public.

A living memory of Manresa's culture and a meeting point for book lovers and those nostalgic for those history-laden shelves, Roca Bookstore is the third oldest in Europe, with Bertrand Bookstore in Lisbon, founded in 1732 and recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as the world's oldest bookstore, standing out.