Industrial tourism, a journey in which the past comes to life
In our country, the different architectural models and production systems that have developed throughout different eras have left their mark and served to tell the social and cultural history of each region. Therefore, industrial tourism is a good option for exploring Catalonia and discovering its heritage related to technology and labor.
The Industrial Tourism Network of Catalonia (XATIC) is an association that brings together the broadest range of industrial tourism offerings in the entire country, allowing you to discover it through spaces and activities that invite you to experience a unique experience. XATIC has more than 40 associated municipalities and more than 100 visitable spaces. From museums, mines, and wineries to centuries-old factories, living industries, and artisan workshops, they offer a journey to the heart of our industrial identity. This summer, there are many activities that, as throughout the year, allow for this discovery. We recommend a few, although you will find all the latest information on the website.xatic.cat.
Guided tour of the Water Museum
With this tour, you'll learn about one of the most unique elements of Catalan industrial heritage: a centuries-old water extraction and pumping plant still in operation in Cornellà de Llobregat. It's open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays of each month (except August) to offer a tour open to the general public.
Visit the Acequia Express
A must-see for discovering the history and interesting facts about one of Europe's most important hydraulic engineering works, as well as for enjoying the nature, flora, and fauna surrounding this iconic Manresa structure. The guided tour, held every first Saturday of the month, begins at Parc de l'Agulla and continues to Mas de Sant Iscle.
Guided tour of Flour Coating at the Farinera Ecomuseum
The Castelló d'Empúries Flour Ecomuseum is a flour mill from the early 20th century, now a museum, and preserves all the machinery used in the industrial process of transforming wheat into flour. This guided tour is offered every Sunday at noon and concludes with a tasting of locally sourced products: Tramuntana bread, Verano beer, and Vilajuïga water.
Guided tour of the La Central Heritage Space
This proposal will take you back in time. Until August 30, the La Central Heritage Site in Talarn is offering a guided tour of the historical exhibition.El Pallars lights up Catalonia, which will take you back to the birth of the country's first major hydroelectric projects and allow you to learn about the social and economic impact these innovations had at the beginning of the 20th century and how they shaped the transformation of the region. You'll also discover a hydroelectric plant in operation up close, learn about its evolution, and learn about the changes brought about by the latest technologies. The plant also offers family activities.Open your eyes to the light, so that the little ones in your home can discover this space with an exciting treasure hunt in which they will experiment with electrostatic energy, potential energy, and hydraulic energy.
Exhibition 'The Cork Civilization'
With this exhibition, which can be seen at the Cork Museum of Catalonia in Palafrugell, 1,200 square meters of permanent exhibition are open to the public. Around 700 objects of all kinds are on display, many of them previously unseen, telling the story of cork in our country and the legacy it has left behind, especially in the ways it was created. In fact, the museum's first object is the building itself: a modernist factory built between 1900 and 1907. Inside, audiovisual displays, interactive spaces, and many modern systems allow for a unique experiential tour of the world of cork.
Pamper yourself by painting with wine
Marta Arañó's studio in Sant Esteve Sesrovires offers this activity to combine art and oenology through a process that allows you to dip your brushes in wine or virgin olive oil. Drawing skills aren't essential; just a desire to have fun and discover how these two concepts blend. After the painting workshop, there's a wine or grape must tasting and a local snack. For painting with oil, there's a wine and olive oil tasting with dark chocolate, reminiscent of the traditional Catalan afternoon snack.
Cava and chocolate in Sant Sadurní d'Anoia
Located in a wine distillery built in 1814, the Cava Center in San Sadurní de Anoia offers a participatory, fun, and audiovisual experience that takes you on a journey through the history, essence, enigmas, and secrets of cava. This experience is combined with a visit to the Simón Coll Chocolate Space, allowing you to learn about the culture, history, and production process of this renowned chocolate in a unique and sweet experience.
Delta rice and CIA la Torra
An activity to learn about the world of rice, the daily life of farmers, and the struggle to maintain sustainable cultivation. Therefore, the proposal consists of a visit to the Rice Interpretation Center, an old rice mill located in Camarles, which has been restored as a rice cooperative-museum. The exhibition space offers an emotional experience centered around rice, based on a collection of photographs, videos, and texts dating back to the beginning of its cultivation in the Ebro Delta, around 1860. It also explains the widespread cultivation throughout the 20th century and the mechanization of the countryside, as well as the role played by the countryside.
Sailing the Ebro with the lute 'Lo Roget'
The Roget It is a replica of the traditional boats used in the past in Terres de l'Ebre to transport goods along the river. The Roget You will make your way between small islands, where the typical riparian forest grows, full of tamarinds, poplars or aubes surrounded by reeds, and will allow you to observe all the birds that inhabit them, such as the kingfisher, the grey heron, the moorhen, several species of night heron, the harp... travel back in time and connect with nature.
