Museo Agbar de las Aguas

Museo Agbar de las Aguas is a water museum housed in a historic waterworks building in Cornellà de Llobregat, part of the greater Barcelona metropolitan area. For over a century, the site pumped and distributed water that supplied the Catalan capital.

Where does the story begin?

The site's history dates back to the mid-19th century, when Barcelona industrialist Josep Serra i Batlle acquired land in Cornellà rich in underground water, sitting above the aquifer of the Llobregat river valley. As Barcelona grew rapidly in the early 20th century and needed a reliable water supply, the French company Société Générale des Eaux de Barcelone was granted the concession to exploit this aquifer. The result was the Central de Aguas, a complex of wells, pumps and technical installations formally inaugurated in 1909, which for decades served as a key point in the city's drinking-water network. The museum itself opened much later, in 2004, as an initiative of Fundación Agbar, created to preserve and present this industrial and technical heritage to the public.

What will you see inside?

The permanent exhibition traces how Barcelona and its surrounding area obtained and distributed water over time, from centuries-old extraction methods to modern distribution systems. Original tools, documents and machinery from the site's working days sit alongside interactive modules that explain how devices used to draw and treat water actually functioned. This mix of historical artifacts and hands-on stations makes the museum equally appealing to adults interested in industrial history and to families visiting with children.

How do you get there?

The museum sits in Cornellà de Llobregat, a town bordering Barcelona directly and well connected to the city center by local train and metro lines. It makes for an easy half-day trip and pairs naturally with other attractions in the western part of the metropolitan area.

When should you visit?

Beyond the permanent exhibition, the museum runs an active cultural program that includes themed guided visits, educational workshops, concerts, science demonstrations and film cycles centered on water-related topics. It's worth checking the current events calendar before visiting, since several activities run on a set schedule and require advance booking, particularly for families and school groups.

Who is this museum for?

Museo Agbar de las Aguas suits visitors who enjoy combining sightseeing with learning: it shows how a major city like Barcelona tackled the challenge of water supply during industrialization, and how those early technical solutions evolved into today's water networks. It's also a worthwhile stop for fans of industrial architecture, since the waterworks building itself stands as a record of the era in which it was built.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the museum located? In Cornellà de Llobregat, a town bordering Barcelona, inside the former Central de Aguas waterworks building built in the early 20th century.

Is the museum suitable for children? Yes, the visit includes interactive modules along with activities and workshops designed for younger visitors.

How long does a visit take? A standard visit to the permanent exhibition usually takes around one to one-and-a-half hours, depending on whether it includes an additional educational activity.

How is this different from a typical history museum? It combines a classic museum display with interactive stations, so visitors don't just look at exhibits — they can also try out how the devices historically used to obtain water actually worked.