Foment Cultural i Artístic

Foment Cultural i Artístic is a historic community arts building in the heart of Molins de Rei, a small town in Catalonia just a short train ride west of Barcelona. For more than a century it has served as the town's main venue for theatre, social gatherings and cultural life.

How did it come about?

The story starts in 1920, when several local associations joined forces under the name Foment Agrícola, Comercial i Industrial. The building itself went up the following year, in 1921, conceived as a shared home for the town's social and cultural activities. From the outset the association ran a handful of different sections, but it was the drama section — with its own dramatic arts studio — that made the place famous locally, filling the theatre for decades.

After the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), the association took the name it still carries today, Foment Cultural i Artístic, reflecting a broader shift in how such civic institutions across Catalonia redefined themselves in the post-war years. The building underwent a full restoration in 1991, which kept its historic fabric intact for the following decades.

What does the building look like?

The architecture leans on neoclassical forms, visible in both the façade and the layout of the interior. The highlight is the Italian-style theatre hall, with seating wrapped around the stage and a stage-tilting mechanism that was considered quite innovative when it was installed. Beyond the auditorium, the building also houses a café, which has long functioned as an informal meeting point independent of whatever is showing on stage.

What can visitors do here today?

Foment Cultural i Artístic is still a going concern — a century-old nonprofit that keeps a full calendar of plays, concerts, exhibitions and community activities. Anyone passing through Molins de Rei can check the current programme and, if something is on, step inside to see the historic theatre hall up close. Since the building sits right in the town centre, a visit pairs easily with a walk through the old town.

Frequently asked questions

Can I visit the building without a ticket to an event?

It depends on what's scheduled — Foment is a working cultural centre rather than a museum, so access to the interior is usually tied to a specific performance or event.

How old is the building?

The building dates from 1921, one year after the association itself was founded in 1920, making it a fixture of the town for more than a century.

What makes Foment different from an ordinary theatre?

It's not just a stage: it's a broader social and cultural hub with a café and several active sections, historically combining entertainment with community life.

How do you get to Molins de Rei?

The town lies a short distance west of Barcelona and is well served by regional trains, making it an easy day-trip destination.