Casa de l'Aigua

Casa de l'Aigua, also known by its original name Casa del Agua, is a fascinating industrial heritage site nestled between the neighborhoods of La Trinitat Nova and Trinitat Vella in Barcelona. This historical gem, once a pivotal water treatment plant, now stands as a testament to the city's rich history and its evolution in water management. Transformed into a vibrant municipal facility, Casa de l'Aigua today serves as a cultural and social hub, seamlessly blending its past with the present.

The Architectural Ensemble

The Casa de l'Aigua complex, which began construction between 1915 and 1919, originally functioned as a storage, purification, and chlorination station for water sourced from wells in the neighboring municipality of Montcada i Reixac. The architectural ensemble includes a pumping station in Trinitat Vella, subterranean canalization facilities, and a treatment and storage station in Trinitat Nova.

The pumping station in Trinitat Vella, located near the bustling Avinguda Meridiana, consists of three small buildings. One of these structures served as a distribution point for water from the Casa de la Mina and the wells of Casa de les Aigües de Montcada. Another housed electric pumps, which have since been dismantled, and the third contained a submarine motor, later converted into an electric generator. A fourth building, once the guard's residence, was demolished during the construction of the Meridiana.

Connecting these facilities is an underground gallery that runs beneath Avinguda Meridiana, extending towards Collserola. This network also included the Baix aqueduct, which transported water to the city, and the Alt de Montcada aqueduct, which was intended to reach Vallcarca but never became operational. The Casa de l'Aigua in Trinitat Nova comprises decantation, chlorination, and storage facilities, which were used until new reservoirs were built nearby in 1989. The storage tank, with a capacity of 10,000 cubic meters, spans a 6,800 square meter site. The installation also includes two buildings: one with various measuring instruments and another with a pool system that refreshed the tank's water.

A Cultural and Social Hub

Today, the restored buildings of Casa de l'Aigua serve as reception areas and open spaces for exhibitions and various socio-cultural and educational activities. The storage tanks have been made accessible, featuring a grand hypostyle hall for diverse uses. As a space linked to the Barcelona History Museum, Casa de l'Aigua incorporates museum functions, offering exhibitions that delve into the site's heritage and the history of water supply in Barcelona.

The permanent exhibition El fil de l'aigua: continuïtat i discontinuïtat at the former Trinitat Vella pumping station and the connecting gallery traces the history of water supply in Barcelona from Roman times, emphasizing the technological revolution at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. Meanwhile, the Aigua km zero / BCN exhibition at the Trinitat Nova tank explores the long tradition of local water use and management within the territory bounded by Collserola, the Besòs River, and Montjuïc. It highlights the essential role of local waters in the development of the Barcelona plain, providing sustenance, agricultural fertility, energy for mills, and domestic and industrial uses.

A Journey Through History

Casa de l'Aigua was constructed by the municipal company Aigües de Montcada between 1915 and 1919, following a devastating typhoid epidemic in 1914 caused by contaminated water. The urgent need to overhaul the drinking water supply system led to the development of this crucial infrastructure. Water was pumped from Trinitat Vella to the Trinitat Nova tank, where it was chlorinated before being distributed to the old city center, including Barceloneta. Although the initial project also aimed to supply water to the Eixample district via the Alt de Montcada aqueduct, this was never completed. The facility remained operational until 1989.

During the Spanish Civil War, the underground facilities of Casa de l'Aigua temporarily served as air-raid shelters for the local community. However, as the war progressed, shelters closer to homes were built. By the end of the war, 17 shelters had been constructed in Trinitat Vella alone. The water tanks of the Trinitat Water Company closed on March 31, 1989, and soon fell into disrepair and vandalism.

Starting in 2007, the surrounding land was rehabilitated and divided into cultivation plots allocated to district residents. A flower and aromatic herb garden was also planted, adding color and fragrance to the space. Today, Casa de l'Aigua, once vital for Barcelona's water supply, has been revitalized as a space where locals can cultivate their gardens, reconnecting the district with its rural roots.

Between 2007 and 2013, the Barcelona City Council undertook the consolidation and improvement of the heritage complex. On March 22, 2018, coinciding with World Water Day, the entire site was reopened, marking a new phase in the recovery of this heritage space. The Barcelona History Museum began highlighting the site's significance in 2011 as part of a broader program on the history of water use and supply in the city.

Casa de l'Aigua is not just a historical monument; it is a living part of Barcelona's heritage, offering a unique blend of history, culture, and community life. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a culture seeker, or simply looking for a peaceful place to explore, Casa de l'Aigua is a must-visit destination in Barcelona.