Pastisseria la Colmena

La Colmena is one of the oldest cake shops in Barcelona. For more than a century it has delighted “Plaça de l’Àngel” square, where it is located, with it’s fragrant aroma of home-made candies and cakes.

The exact date it was founded is unknown, but we do know that its original name was “Ca l’Abella”. In 1849 Rosendo Abella had the shop in the street “Bajada de la cárcel” (the prison slope) now called “Baixada de la Llibreteria” (Bookshop slope), situated just in front of the current location.

In 1868, the Costa family purchased the business, moved to the current location and changed the name to La Colmena. But maintained both names at the front of the building. Later, the shop changed owners from “Morató i Sant Pera” in 1912 to “Chocolates J. Camps” in 1921.

Finally, in 1927, Josep and Francesc Roig Manubens bought the business which is now run by the grandson, Josep Maria Roig. Toni Roig, Francesc’s great-grandson and Josep Maria’s son, makes the candies following the same recipes and methods centuries ago, like many other traditional Catalan pastries and cakes.