• Free Tours
  • Fixed Price Tours
  • Private Tours
    • All Private Tours
    • GaudΓ­ & Sagrada Familia
    • Gothic Quarter
    • Shore Excursions Barcelona
    • Day Trips Outside Barcelona
    • Specialised Tours
  • OUR TEAM
  • OUR STORY
  • BLOG
  • CONTACT
  • ES

Walking Tours Barcelona - Runner Bean Tours

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

‘El Raval’ and the story behind the City of Contrast Tour

Apartment blocks in El Raval Barcelona

Catherine Howley 1 Comment

A visit to Barcelona for many people is a chance to marvel at the past while living in the present. The idea for the City of Contrast tour came to me from doing just that! For many years my walk to work has taken me through the streets of ‘El Raval’ and I found myself becoming increasingly fascinated by the neighbourhood’s diversity. I began to read up on its history, trying to clarify my reflections on a place I knew very little about and was then I realised the character of ‘El Raval’ really stems from the diversity of its history. It became a place where, on my daily walk, I began to see streets which share stories of its past and present in surprising ways.

‘Barcelona is built like a colonial city, where the city of whites is strictly separated from the city of the indigenous people. In the city of the ”whites” the streets are broad, lofty, well-paved, often decorated with flowers and the apartment blocks are well arranged so that they do not shade each other. On the other hand, in the city of the ‘indigenous’ people, the streets are narrow like ravines’ HE Kaminski (1936)

‘El Raval’, Barcelona’s most multicultural district

El Raval is found sandwiched between the streets of ParalΒ·lel and Las Ramblas. It is one of the most multi-cultural and densely populated areas of the city and has been often characterised by, and criticised for, its dark narrow streets and boisterous nightlife. As a result, there have been many attempts over the last few decades to ‘clean-up’ this central area; the widening of streets, the destruction of tenement blocks and the building of art-house cinemas and 5-star hotels. But this is not just a recent cause, since the beginning of the 20th century the neighbourhood has been one often vilified and referred to by a variety of nicknames such as ‘Fifth district’, ‘Chinatown’ or, more recently, ‘Ravalistan’.

El Raval street Barcelona
Its true name, El Raval, originates from ‘A-Rabal’ Arabic for ‘on the margin’, as it once was a simple area of land located outside the city’s walls. Eventually, the area would become inhabited by churches, convents and hospitals until eventually embraced within the walls of the city during the expansion of Barcelona in medieval times. However, it would be the next great growth spurt Barcelona would undergo in the 19th century which would define ‘El Raval’ for years to come. The City of Contrast tour explores the history of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century when Barcelona, and as a direct result ‘El Raval’, would witness a radical change.

A City of Contrast: Barcelona pre-Spanish Civil War Tour (1835-1936)

With the dawn of the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century, the city could not cope with it’s growing population. Living conditions were becoming cramped and over-crowded, the spread of disease unmanageable, and it was seen that the only solution was to expand rapidly and offer the space to house the growing industry, and the growing industrial working class. The decision was made to remove the medieval walls and allow the huge development of what would become the ‘Eixample’.

Pla CerdΓ  Barcelona
The solution did not become a reality. What would become of Barcelona in the 19th and beginning of the 20th century was a divided city – on one hand, the new industrialists and bourgeois began to plan and build their spacious homes in the newer part of the city, while the working class were left behind in increasingly uncomfortable and inhabitable conditions, mainly in the neighbourhood of ‘El Raval’.

Eixample and El Raval Barcelona 1900s
The narrow streets which characterise ‘El Raval’ became home to the factories of the Industrial Revolution and home to one of the biggest working-class populations in Spain. Living side by side with their work place, the fumes of the factory smoke, the cramped living spaces and abysmal working conditions, were few of many problems which engulfed the residents. The neighbourhood became a veritable hell-on-earth, and from this hell, the working class became increasingly open to a solution to their problems.

Demonstration in Barcelona 1909

As we walk through ‘El Raval’ on tour I’ll show you where this industry was located, how the people lived and what was the political ideology the working class would eventually adopt as a catalyst for change. Behind the walled convents located in the neighbourhood, there are stories to be told of the Church’s relationship with the inhabitants of ‘El Raval’. Behind the facade of the Liceu Opera house we’ll discover how an attack in the building would shake the bourgeois in Barcelona to its core. And behind the name of ‘El Raval’, we’ll discover how during this period the city underwent not only great physical changes, but changes in attitude toward politics, immigration, and working-class organisation – changes that would greatly influence Barcelona’s role and experience during the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War in 1936.

Photographs by Clarence and Jordi PayΓ 

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Email

Related

Filed Under: History

MOST RECENT REVIEWS OF RUNNER BEAN TOURS BARCELONA

RUNNER BEAN TOURS - Barcelona Private Tours & Free Walking Tours
RUNNER BEAN TOURS - Barcelona Private Tours & Free Walking Tours
5.0
Based on 980 reviews
powered by Google
Ben Duvall
Ben Duvall
16:55 11 May 22
We had a wonderful tour of the Gothic Quarter led by Ann-Marie. She was very knowledgeable and engaging. This tour was ideal way to start our first visit to Barcelona. I can't recommend this tour enough.
Natalie B
Natalie B
14:43 12 Apr 22
Lisa was spectacular. She was very knowledgeable, kind and she went at a great pace. She gave us so much information that helped us understand the history of Catalonia but she went further to help us connect to the... culture of Catalonia today. Lisa took the time to answer questions and gave us great tips to make the most of our trip. She also has great recommendations for restaurants, places to see and how to get around. The tour was great and Lisa was really terrific.read more
Lorraine Ogilby
Lorraine Ogilby
16:24 31 Mar 22
We took a 2 1/2 hour walking tour of the Gothic quarter with Anne-Marie from Runner Bean tours. She was incredibly knowledgeable and obviously passionate about both the city where she lives and the history! Full of... information and details about every site we visited and we heard so much that’s not included in any other trip. Very interactive with the group and put every single person at ease. She was an absolute mine of local information and recommendations at the end - which we personally used for meals and other sites to visit. These guys work on a donation system and be prepared to give them every euro that you feel they are worth. We took two of their tours and they were the highlight of our trip to Barcelona!!read more
W L
W L
08:57 30 Mar 22
I showed up on an earlier day for my city tour and Lisa was nice enough to let me join anyway. Her presentation was both enlightening and fun. She had personal stories and on the spot observations to share which made it... feel fresh. Her diction was very easy to understand and she was pleasant to listen to. Believe me I have been on some tours where the guides had annoying pet phrases like 'alright?' 'um' etc.. that can be tiresome to listen to for 2.5 hours. Lisa took personal interest in her guests and made the effort to talk to us individually whenever possible. Her food suggestions were great. I highly recommend going on her tour!read more
Helena Loremikan
Helena Loremikan
23:40 22 Feb 22
I went on both the Gothic quarter tour and the Gaudi tour and both of them were brilliant. Miguel was a brilliant guide and is so funny yet so informative. My friends and I enjoyed our tour so much we came back the very... next day. I would highly recommend booking a walking tour with them you would not regret it at all!read more
Sue Pupo
Sue Pupo
18:21 03 Dec 21
We had a very informative, well researched and extremely interesting tour with Miguel today of Runner Bean Tours. He pointed out interesting facts we would never discovered on our own, not to mention little known... facts. It was highly informative. Do yourself a favor, and sign up for one of the tours. We have been on two now, and we’ll worth the time! You will enjoy Miguel, a very personable person and a great guide. He will make you fall in love with Barcelona.read more
Maria Fonseca
Maria Fonseca
21:04 31 Dec 20
Was a pleasant experience to have Lisa as tour guide.Full of details her explanation and very focus on what she was saying.A touch of british humour was very much appreciated ;)Thank you
Brigitte Gneissl
Brigitte Gneissl
12:47 09 Dec 20
I booked the group tour for the Gothic quarter but obviously due to the current circumstances I was the only one on the tour. Hence, my fantastic tour guide Lisa gave me a private tour and it was super interesting. I... really learned a lot and it's a great way of discovering Barcelona. Highly recommended for anyone who comes to BCN! It's so important to also learn about the history and culture. A fantastic tour. Greetings to Lisa.read more
Satyajeet Sarang
Satyajeet Sarang
15:56 17 Oct 20
We did the Gothic Quarter tour with Miguel. We were lucky that the other party on the tour had cancelled so we had a private tour!! Miguel was extremely knowledgable and gave us lot of detail and information on each... place and also bits and pieces of the in-between that tied the places together into a whole story!Miguel spent a good amount of time with us and also gave us good local tips for food, shops and such.We would highly recommend Runner Bean Tours!!read more
Lisa Gill
Lisa Gill
11:17 14 Oct 20
We had a fantastic tour led by Lisa and due to COVID it was just the three of us. We've been to Barcelona many times and so it was wonderful to learn more about the history of the city and the buildings we love so much.... Lisa was extremely friendly and knowledgeable. Highly recommended!read more
rhonda caplan
rhonda caplan
03:03 13 Oct 20
We were so impressed with our tour. It was fun, and extremely informative. They go by donation and they are worth every penny .My friend and I have been on tours in a lot of cities and this tour ranked amongst our... favorite. We were encouraged to ask questions, and if I ever have an opportunity I would take as many tours from them as they offer. Thank you 😊 💙read more
Aoife Leddy
Aoife Leddy
13:56 12 Oct 20
We had a very short time in Barcelona so to make the most of the time we had, we decided to do a walking tour. I'm so glad we chose Runner Bean Tours. We did the Antoni GaudΓ­ tour with Lisa and thoroughly enjoyed it.... Even our children were engaged throughout thanks to Lisa's gift for storytelling and bringing you on a journey with her tour. Given the current climate in Spain with few foreign tourists visiting, we were in a unique position to enjoy an almost private tour in a very quiet city...an experience we will probably never have the opportunity to have ever again. We enjoyed the GaudΓ­ tour so much that we booked the Gothic tour the very next day and were lucky enough to have Lisa as a guide once more. Again, a wonderful tour delivered in an engaging and really entertaining way. Lisa's knowledge of the history of Barcelona shines through and her passion for this wonderful city is absolutely contagious. Highly recommended for the whole family ♥️👌read more
Sophie Nadal
Sophie Nadal
13:46 08 Sep 20
I really appreciated the visit with Ali, who payed attention to us, asking if we add any questions regularly. She loved introducing the city to us and we can feel it, it was a real pleasure. I recommend it !
Elizabeth Skelton
Elizabeth Skelton
14:14 03 Sep 20
We had an awesome time on the Barcelona gothic quarter tour with Miguel! Miguel was an amazing guide. He was full of interesting information, and his passion and love for the city and his job made the tour extra... enjoyable. He also gave us lots of recommendations for places to eat and drink in the city, and even helped us mark them on google maps. He also took some great pictures for us. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend runner bean tours. Thank you Miguel for giving us such an insightful experience!read more
Katie Mckitting
Katie Mckitting
17:06 01 Sep 20
We have done a lot of walking tours all over the world and this was by far our favourite. Miguel was very knowledgeable and funny and made this an enjoyable experience. It is clear that Miguel loves what he does and... made sure that we had fun too. There were only 2 others on the tour with us and he made sure we were safe and distanced and everyone wore their masks to make sure we all felt safe and comfortable. I 100% recommend doing this tour - especially if with Miguel if possible! Gracias for a lovely few hours in Barca!! :)read more
Next Reviews
js_loader

Comments

  1. Edward W Armstrong says

    December 10, 2017 at 8:11 pm

    …very profound, piquing my interest very; if I manage to get to Barcelona late in 2018, I’ll definitely want to find myself in this barrio of Barcelona.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

RECENT POSTS

  • Barcelona With Kids: Top 40 Things To Do
  • Free Things to do in Barcelona: The Complete Guide
  • Best Asian Food in Barcelona: The top restaurants
  • Top 60 Things To Do In Barcelona
  • Best Paella in Barcelona: our favourite restaurants

WATCH OUR VIDEO

CATEGORIES

  • Art & museums
  • Barcelona for kids
  • Food & drink
  • GaudΓ­ & Modernisme
  • History
  • Our tour company
  • Practical advice
  • Upcoming events & festivals
🐲🌹 Happy Sant Jordi's Day everyone!!! 🎟 🐲🌹 Happy Sant Jordi's Day everyone!!! 

🎟️ To celebrate this special day, we are giving away 2 tickets to visit Park Güell to the first person who tells us where you can find the 6 Saint George's representations below. Tickets are for Monday, April 25th, at 1pm.

❓Clue: today is one of the rare opportunities when you can visit this building... and for free too.

#santjordi2022 #parkguelltickets #santjordi #saintgeorge #barcelonatraditions #santjordi2022🌹🐲 #thisisbarcelona #barcelonalovers #barcelona #barcelonacity #nextstopbarcelona #barcelonatrip #barcelonatodo #bcnlovers #visitbarcelona #ig_barcelona #bestcitybreaks #barcelonalife #barcelonastravel #barcelonaexperience #barcelonatips #discoverbarcelona
Challenge for FREE Park GΓΌell tickets on Prince's Challenge for FREE Park GΓΌell tickets on Prince's death anniversary!

🎸 In 1992, Prince visited Barcelona for a photo session for his album "Come". Photographer Terry Gydesen took some wonderful images at a couple of iconic buildings in the city.

Here is our challenge. 

πŸŽŸοΈπŸ†“ We have free tickets to Park GΓΌell worth €40 for the first person who tells us which are the buildings that appear in the photographs. It is 4 tickets to visit the park tomorrow (April 22nd) at 12:30pm.

⏳⏳⏳ Time is kicking πŸ˜‰

Prince (7th June 1958 - 21st April 2016)
Photography by Terry Gydesen

#Prince4Ever #parkguelltickets #parkguell #princeinbarcelona #gaudi #gaudiarchitecture #beautifulbuildings #barcelonaarchitecture #gaudibarcelona #gaudilovers
We almost forgot... . . . . . . . . . . . . #runne We almost forgot...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#runnerbeantours #runnerbeantoursbarcelona #12yearanniversary #12years #barcelonatours #barcelonaprivatetours #barcelonafreetours #supportlocalbusiness #supportlocalcompanies #happybirthday #12yearsinbarcelona #discoverbarcelona #familycompany #localguide #localtours #sagradafamilia #toursbarcelona
Today is the 48th anniversary of the execution of Today is the 48th anniversary of the execution of Salvador Puig i Antich and Heinz Chez. Never forget 😒
🍽️ Today we are enjoying traditional Catalan 🍽️ Today we are enjoying traditional Catalan food at Can Culleretes.

1️⃣7️⃣8️⃣6️⃣ Founded in 1786 and located in the Gothic Quarter, this is the oldest restaurant in Barcelona and the second oldest in Spain. 

πŸ˜‹ A real local business with 3 generations of the same family offering great food at affordable prices.

πŸ’ͺ It was lovely to see it was still running and full of customers after the hard times of the pandemic πŸ˜„
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#barcelonafood #barcelonafoodie #barcelonarestaurants #foodlovers #canculleretes #catalanfood #supportlocal #supportlocalbusiness #thisisbarcelona #barcelonalovers #barcelona #barcelonacity #nextstopbarcelona #barcelonatrip #barcelonatodo #bcnlovers #visitbarcelona #ig_barcelona #barcelonagram #bestcitybreaks #barcelonalife #barcelonastravel #barcelonaexperience #barcelonatips #discoverbarcelona
Today is Santa EulΓ lia, patron saint of Barcelona Today is Santa EulΓ lia, patron saint of Barcelona βœ–οΈπŸŽ‘. This is a weekend full of activities and things to do in the city, specially for the little ones πŸŽ‰πŸŽˆ
Photo: Santa EulΓ lia's original statue at PlaΓ§a del PedrΓ³ (1874).
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#santaeulΓ lia2022 #santaeulalia2022 #saints #statue #barcelonasaint #thisisbarcelona #barcelonalovers #barcelona #barcelonacity #nextstopbarcelona #barcelonatrip #barcelonatodo #bcnlovers #visitbarcelona #ig_barcelona #barcelonagram #bestcitybreaks #barcelonalife #barcelonastravel #barcelonaexperience #barcelonatips #discoverbarcelona
Raluy Circus, a classic thing to do in Barcelona i Raluy Circus, a classic thing to do in Barcelona in wintertime πŸŽͺ🀹🀑
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#circraluy #circhistoricraluy #circus #barcelonacircus #traditionalcircus #noanimals
#thisisbarcelona #barcelonalovers #barcelona #barcelonacity #nextstopbarcelona #barcelonatrip #barcelonatodo #bcnlovers #visitbarcelona #ig_barcelona #barcelonagram #barcelonalife #barcelonastravel #barcelonaexperience #barcelonatips #discoverbarcelona #barcelonawithkids #barcelonaforkids #kidsbarcelona #kidsfun #travelwithkids #museumswithkids #travelingwithkids
This big eye has seen millions of people coming an This big eye has seen millions of people coming and leaving Barcelona since 1929. Do you know where it is? πŸ‘οΈπŸ•΅οΈβ€β™‚οΈ
.
.
.
.
.
.
#thisisbarcelona #barcelonalovers #barcelona #barcelonacity #nextstopbarcelona #barcelonatrip #barcelonatodo #bcnlovers #visitbarcelona #ig_barcelona #barcelonagram #bestcitybreaks #barcelonalife #barcelonastravel #barcelonaexperience #barcelonatips #discoverbarcelona
The pandemic has been a challenging time for every The pandemic has been a challenging time for everyone but we have always been committed to the safety of our customers. 

The Safe Travels stamp by the World Travel Tourism Council has just been awarded to Runner Bean Tours. This stamp was created for travellers to recognise destinations and businesses around the world which have adopted the SafeTravels health and hygiene global standardised protocols.

Becoming who we are is largely due to the wonderful customers who supported our local company over the years. This stamp is just our responsibility and commitment to you.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#safetravels #covidsafe #supportsmallbusiness #familycompany #localguide #localtours #runnerbeantours #barcelonatour
#gauditour #tourguide #besttourguide #tourguidebarcelona #privatetour #barcelonaprivatetour #barcelonaprivatetours
 #barcelonaprivateguide #tourguidebarcelona #privatetourbarcelona #privatetoursbarcelona
We want to wish everyone a merry merry Christmas a We want to wish everyone a merry merry Christmas and a wonderful 2022! πŸŽ„πŸŽπŸŽ…
Hope to see you all soon in Barcelona πŸ˜„
#merrychristmas2021
Credit: Three kings artwork by flickr.com/photos/ansesgob
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#merrychristmas2021 #xmas2021 #barcelonachristmas #happynewyear2022 #supportsmallbusiness #familycompany #localguide #localtours #runnerbeantours
Things that happen in Barcelona when you step out Things that happen in Barcelona when you step out of your house πŸ˜‰
The Phoenix of Poblenou is a recent addition to the Giants & Beasts tradition but also a very beloved one πŸͺΆπŸ”₯
runnerbeantours.com
#catalantraditions #thisisbarcelona #barcelonalovers #barcelona #barcelonacity #nextstopbarcelona #barcelonatrip #barcelonatodo #bcnlovers #visitbarcelona #ig_barcelona #barcelonagram #bestcitybreaks #barcelonalife #barcelonastravel #barcelonaexperience #barcelonatips #discoverbarcelona #barcelonawithkids #barcelonaforkids #kidsbarcelona #kidsfun  #familytravel #travelwithkids #worldschooling #museumswithkids #travelingwithkids #familyadventures
We just welcomed this lovely group of friends who We just welcomed this lovely group of friends who took a private tour with Dani πŸ‘. Have you ever been to this spot? πŸ›οΈπŸ²
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#barcelonatour
#gauditour #tourguide #besttourguide #tourguidebarcelona #privatetour #barcelonaprivatetour #barcelonaprivatetours #barcelonaprivateguide #tourguidebarcelona #privatetourbarcelona #privatetoursbarcelona #barcelonatravel #supportsmallbusiness #familycompany #localguide #localtours #runnerbeantours #gaudi #architecture #gaudiarchitecture #beautifulbuildings #barcelonaarchitecture #parkguell #parkguellbarcelona
Load More... Follow us on Instagram
Facebook Pagelike Widget


Copyright Β© Runner Bean Tours Barcelona 2010-2022
Address: Carrer del Carme, 44, 08001 Barcelona
Phone number (Mon to Fri, 9am to 1pm): 636 108 776
NIF (tax registration number): B66797051

Terms & conditions
Privacy & cookie policy


  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

VISITING OTHER
CITIES IN EUROPE?


Why not check out if your next destination is one of our European partners. There are two main associations offering Free Waking Tours around Europe and we are a proud member of both. The cities involved in these two projects are hand-picked for their quality and commitment while preserving that special feeling that only a local company can give.

FIND LOTS OF GREAT TIPS ON OUR BLOG

What to do in Barcelona: The Complete Guide
How to skip the lines in Barcelona
Free Things to do in Barcelona
Things to do in Barcelona with Kids
Traditional food in Barcelona

WE SUPPORT RESPONSIBLE TOURISM

Biosphere Barcelona standard for Commitment to Sustainable TourismWWC Safe Travels stamp

Runner Bean Tours is part of the Biosphere Barcelona standard for Commitment to Sustainable Tourism. This is awarded to a few tour operators who are committed to responsible and environmentally-friendly management, culture, decent working conditions, gender equity and social and economic benefits.

On our tours, we are always sure we respect the local neighbourhoods and we only collaborate with small Barcelona businesses which help support the local economy.

Runner Bean Tours also holds the WTTC SafeTravels Stamp. This was created for travellers to recognise destinations and businesses around the world which have adopted the SafeTravels health and hygiene global standardised protocols.

Have a positive impact in Barcelona

 

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking β€œAccept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAceptar
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.