Molí de paper de la Font Gran

Molí de paper de la Font Gran is an 18th-century paper mill standing on the banks of the Brugent River in Vilaverd, in the Conca de Barberà region of Catalonia.

When was the mill built?

The mill dates back to 1728, when a local figure named Cristòfor Miquel obtained permission to draw water from the Brugent River and from the nearby Font Gran spring to power a milling operation. The building was designed as a multi-purpose facility, combining papermaking, cloth fulling and grain milling under one roof — a common setup for small water-powered works of the period, which needed to squeeze as much use as possible out of a single water drop.

Who owned the mill over the years?

Records show that by 1775 the property belonged to Pere River, a resident of Vilaverd. The mill was one of several papermaking works scattered along the Brugent valley: this stretch of the Conca de Barberà, together with the nearby Capellades area, formed one of the historic hubs of Catalan papermaking, an industry that relied heavily on the steady flow of mountain rivers to drive its wheels.

Why is it also called the "Trout Mill"?

The building is also known as Molí de les Truites, or the Trout Mill. The name comes from the early 20th century, when the already-idle mill buildings were converted into a trout farm, taking advantage of the clean, constant water supply from the Font Gran spring. The site's industrial past as a paper works gave way to a very different, quieter use.

What does the mill look like today?

The structure has a rectangular floor plan with a ground floor and three upper storeys. Its window and door openings are finished with lintels and segmental arches, and the main entrance is framed by a portal built from carefully cut stone blocks. Traces of two water wheels are still visible on the walls, marking where the milling machinery once operated. Today the building stands in ruins: the roof has completely collapsed, and the interior is in urgent need of conservation work. Despite its condition, the mill is listed in Catalonia's inventory of architectural heritage as a record of the region's water-powered industrial past.

Where is it and how should you plan a visit?

The mill sits right alongside the road linking La Riba and Farena, directly above the Brugent riverbed and a short distance from the centre of Vilaverd. It appeals to visitors interested in the industrial heritage of the Conca de Barberà and the region's papermaking history rather than to those expecting a fully equipped tourist site — given the state of the ruin, a visit means viewing the building from the outside. It pairs well with a walk along the Brugent valley, where traces of other former water mills of the same kind can still be found.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was the Molí de paper de la Font Gran built? It was built in 1728, after permission was granted to use water from the Brugent River and the Font Gran spring.

Is the mill still used for papermaking? No. Paper production ended long ago, and in the early 20th century the site was converted into a trout farm, which gave it its alternative name, Molí de les Truites.

Can visitors go inside the building? Because the roof has collapsed and the structure is in poor condition, the mill can only be viewed from the outside.

Where exactly is the mill located? Along the road between La Riba and Farena, on the Brugent River, close to Vilaverd in the Conca de Barberà.