Igualada

Igualada brings together industrial heritage, museums, guided cultural activities, local festival traditions, and routes through natural, agricultural and scenic areas. When planning your trip, you can decide whether to focus mainly on the history of leather and textiles, explore the museums and architectural landmarks, or make trails and festivals your priority.

Industrial history in the El Rec district

Cal Granotes is a 17th-century tannery in the heart of El Rec. It offers a staged portrayal of the traditional craft of leather tanning. From the late 18th century onward, new tanneries were built on the banks of the Rec d’Igualada. These milestones provide a historical context for leatherworking in Igualada.

La Igualadina Cotonera, also known as Vapor Vell or Cal Godó, was built in 1841 as a steam-powered textile factory. It is the oldest surviving Manchester-style factory in Catalonia. It is also the only building in Igualada’s El Rec district to have been designated a “Bien Cultural de Interés Nacional.” The tanneries and textile factory offer different perspectives on the city’s industrial history.

Museums and cultural sites

The Museu de la Pell d’Igualada is in the center of the Rec district, 400 meters from the city center. Free parking is available 200 meters away, at the intersection of Carrer Sant Faust and Carrer del Rec. The museum also manages visits to the Gasogen de Cal Pasqual. It is the only surviving example of its kind in Catalonia and probably in Europe as well.

The Museu del Traginer – Col·lecció Antoni Ros explores a different subject: the development of transport using animal power and the connections between the various professions involved in freight transport and pack animals. Alongside leather and textile production, it also brings transport and the professions associated with it into focus.

The Parque del Cementerio de Igualada is a historic monument and is designated a “Bien Cultural de Interés Nacional.” It was designed by Enric Miralles and Carme Pinós. The guided Igualada Modernista tour explores another aspect of the city’s cultural heritage: its Modernist legacy.

Routes between town and countryside

The Anella Verda is a circular trail that encircles Igualada and connects the natural, agricultural and scenic areas in the immediate surroundings. The route is more than 13 kilometers long and offers views of Igualada and the surrounding area. It connects with the Camí de Sant Jaume, the Via Blava and the Camí Ignasià.

The Via Blava Anoia follows the Anoia River from its source near Jorba to its confluence with the Llobregat near Martorell. It offers a peaceful and accessible way to discover river landscapes, natural areas and historic heritage. The two routes differ in focus: the Anella Verda is a circular trail around Igualada that passes through varied landscapes, while the Via Blava follows the river between the endpoints mentioned above.

Festivals with a long tradition

Igualada’s historic traditions include the Festa de Reis and Sant Antoni i els Tres Tombs. The Festa de Reis has been celebrated since 1895 and is recognized as a “Festa Popular d’Interès Cultural.” The Sant Antoni i els Tres Tombs tradition dates back to 1822 and is recognized as a “Festa Tradicional d’Interès Nacional.” The city’s cultural offerings thus range from industrial and transport history to long-standing festivals.

Discover more destinations: Aiguafreda, Corró d'Avall, Vilobí Del Penedès, Castellterçol, Gavà, Sant Juliá De Vilatorta, Sitges, Sant Sadurní D'osormort

For the overview of destinations: Barcelona.