Industrial water heritage II: Our landscape
Discover some of the greatest treasures of the industrial water heritage in Catalonia, unique elements arranged like mosaic pieces throughout the entire country.
Dosrius acueduct remainsMuseu de les Aigües
The water revolution leaves behind an entire heritage legacy fully integrated into the different landscapes of our country. Buildings that characterize neighborhoods and infrastructure that leave their particular mark on rural environments.
"Industrial" Garden in Cornellà Power StationMuseu de les Aigües
Given the difficulties of the climate crisis and the increase of drought periods, it is necessary to recover lost memory and reclaim the awareness of the history of water in our country.
Knowing the relationship between water and territory, between water and the city, and think over it is a necessary instrument to face the challenges of our future.” (Albert Cuchí, 2011)
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Many of the great works of hydraulic engineering are harmonized in perfect symbiosis with their environment and with the lives of people. Due to its monumentality and location, elements such as the Tibidabo Water Tower are very present in our imagination and daily life.
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Others unique ones, such as the water tower in Granollers, do not go unnoticed either. Whether they are more or less known, they have all played a fundamental role in the history of tap water supply. Let's look at some of them.
“Due to its formal beauty, it has been considered one of the most beautiful in Catalonia. Painted by artists such as Ramon Calsina, Josep M. Subirachs and Joan Pallarès, it has become a reference and inseparable element in the Poblenou landscape.” (Antoni Vilanova, 2012)
Acueduct of Biax Vallès in Nou Barris Central ParkMuseu de les Aigües
Located today as a decorative element, it remembers the feat of supplying the Catalan capital at a time of shortage.
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The Pedró water tank, in Palamós, stands solemnly above the port, at the highest point of the municipality. Although it is currently disused, it survives over time along with the boys and girls who play at its feet.
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Elías Rogent, the one who carried out the reconstruction of the Ripoll church and who built the great historic building of the University of Barcelona, was in charge of this work, as simple as beautiful and of great quality.
Interior of Sabadell Water TowerMuseu de les Aigües
Its great particularity stands out, as it is an art nouveau style construction, but with a great influence of German tradition, especially in the shape of the dome.
L'Oliva deposit, Mine of the ArchbishopOriginal Source: EMATSA
Although the construction of the system began at the end of the 18th century, the latest elements were incorporated the past century. It is an architectural jewel that keeps an astonishing continuity, as some sections even take advantage of the ancient Roman infrastructure.
Museu de les Aigües showcase (2021) by Museu de les AigüesMuseu de les Aigües
The Cornellà Power Station has become a meeting point between history, heritage, science, technology and nature, thus contributing to consolidating a more sensitive, fair, aware and sustainable society.
Hotel of insects in Cornellà Power StationMuseu de les Aigües
It houses projects such as the Butterfly Garden and the Insect Hotel, key to reinforce the inseparable connection that must exist between the history of urban water supply and the conservation of biodiversity in front of a challenging future.
Interior of Tibidabo Water TowerMuseu de les Aigües
Like the Cornellà Power Station, many of the infrastructures previously intended to capture, store, distribute and purify water in the past, continue today playing a relevant role for the community after the end of their service lifetime.
Claiming them as elements of great historical value for our community is an essential task. Recovering the memory of the past and giving them a cultural and civic dimension is part of the path to build a collective consciousness about water management.
SGAB Besòs Power StationMuseu de les Aigües
The industrial water heritage is part of our past, present and future. Its diachronic interpretation becomes one of the fundamental axes to lay the basis that allow us to overcome the challenges of tomorrow.
Can Nyac acueductMuseu de les Aigües
Do you want to learn more about the history of the industrial water heritage in Catalonia? Explore the first episode of this virtual exhibition:
Industrial Water Heritage I: How tap water came to our homes
