Ramona Coronado, known as Mónica del Raval, has died at the age of 60. With her death, another of the most popular representatives of the most diverse neighbourhood in Barcelona has passed away. She worked as a prostitute for almost 20 years and told about it in the documentary that bore her name, and after leaving the profession she continued to walk around the Raval with her striking make-up and the crown that made her so popular.
Originally from the town of Villamanrique in La Mancha, after a period in Madrid she settled in Barcelona. She remained in the Raval for the rest of her life, and it was common to find her around the Filmoteca de Catalunya. Her popularity was such that she was invited to guide an exhibition of the Santa Monica Arts Center.
Monica del Raval exemplifies the contrasts and changes in the central Barcelona neighbourhood: her workplace for more than 15 years was the columns of the façade of the Liceu, on the Rambla. When the opera house (and meeting place for the elite) closed, prostitutes waited for clients in front of it. A few years ago, the Liceu decided to install some fences to discourage prostitutes and homeless people from spending the night there.
Mónica was very fond of music, including classical music, and had attended the Liceu as a spectator, as she herself explained in one of her last public appearances. It was on Catalunya Ràdio in 2017. A year later she began to suffer from health problems.
On public radio, Mónica spoke about the evolution of La Rambla with another legendary icon of the Barcelona promenade, the owner of the El Pinotxo bar, Joan Bayén, who passed away last year. Far from Bayén’s criticism of tourists, so shared by thousands of Barcelona residents, Mónica told her own experience: “What do you want me to say? Tourists don’t bother me. When I worked in prostitution, they paid the best and had better manners than anyone else.”
Eight years earlier, Mónica del Raval, who was already known for her makeup by anyone who walked through the neighborhood, had risen to popular myth thanks to the eponymous documentary directed by Francesc Betriu. The work, Available on Filminis a portrait in which Monica has absolute prominence and in which she defends that she practiced prostitution freely and responsibly. She also participated in other productions such as ‘Puta y amada’ and ‘Nos pensé importante’, by Marc Ferrer.
Population of El Raval
Mónica del Raval: The Iconic Face of Barcelona’s Raval Neighborhood
Mónica del Raval, the beloved figure of Barcelona’s Raval neighborhood, has passed away at the age of 60. Born Ramona Coronado García in Villamanrique, La Mancha, in 1964, she left an indelible mark on the city’s most diverse and vibrant neighborhood [[1]].
A Life of Contrasts
Mónica del Raval’s life was a testament to the contrasts and changes that define the Raval neighborhood. For almost 20 years, she worked as a prostitute, waiting for clients in front of the iconic Liceu opera house on the Rambla [[3]]. This stark juxtaposition of the elite meeting place and the marginalized profession was a reflection of the neighborhood’s complexities.
Despite the challenges she faced, Mónica del Raval never lost her sense of self. Her striking makeup and signature crown made her a beloved fixture in the neighborhood, earning her the nickname ”La Reina del Raval” (The Queen of Raval) [[2]].
From Prostitution to Artistic Expression
After leaving the profession, Mónica del Raval continued to make her presence felt in the Raval. She became an unlikely guide for an exhibition at the Santa Monica Arts Center, showcasing her unique perspective on the neighborhood she called home [[a href=”https://artssantamonica.gencat.cat/es/detall/La-Reina-del-Raval-ens-guia-una-proposta-dAimar-Perez-Gali-amb-Monica-del-Raval”]].
Her story was also immortalized in a documentary that bore her name, offering a candid look at her experiences as a prostitute and her life in the Raval.
A Lasting Legacy
Mónica del Raval’s passing marks the loss of a true Barcelona icon. Her life, though marked by contrasts and challenges, was a testament to the enduring spirit of the Raval neighborhood. As the city mourns her loss, her legacy serves as a reminder of the beauty and diversity that defines this vibrant corner of Barcelona.
In her own words, Mónica del Raval embodied the Raval’s essence: “I am the Raval, and the Raval is me.” Her memory will live on, inspiring generations to come.
Rest in peace, Mónica del Raval. Your impact on Barcelona will never be forgotten.
