MuchaHistory, tour of emblematic buildings of El Prat de Llobregat

We are back here with a new article on our blog. Today we will discover some of the emblematic buildings of our city, the Prat de Llobregat. Since a Lot of Masia hostel Rural-Urbà, located in the old town of el Prat de Llobregat (thus the Urbà) and a stone’s throw of Barcelona, surrounded by spectacular natural areas such as The Llobregat Delta, a pristine beach and the Parc agrari full of crop fields ( thus the Rural) we suggest you a tour to enjoy a stroll, walk or bike, through the history of some of the most emblematic buildings most representative of the city.

As you can see, in the name we choose for our hostel are the adjectives Rural and Urban. Previously, we told you about the most rural and natural environment around us. This time we will give meaning to the other adjective of our name, “Urbà”. The Prat de llobregat is a city with a lot of history. The city has several emblematic buildings that are worth visiting and visiting. If you come to spend a few days at the Prat de Llobregat, our staff will be happy to explain and provide you with all the information you need. But let’s get in trouble, and let’s start that walk through the history of our city.

Centre d’art Torre Muntadas, a building with a lot of history

Just outside the hostel, in the next corner, we find the first of those emblematic buildings. The Centre d’art Torre Muntadas. This building, built in 1885, was the home of the Muntadas family, founders of “L’espanya Industrial”. Built by Barcelona’s Lluís de Miguel I Roca.

At the beginning of the Civil War it was occupied by the PSUC which used it as the party’s headquarters. Later, it was occupied by “La Phalange Española y de las JONS”. In the early years of Franco’s repression it was used as a detention centre. In 1947, the Prat City Council of Llobregat made it its Local Council of the movement and the trade union organization of the regime, the CNS (National Trade Union Center). Years later, in 1969 it became the first Popular library in the city.

Today and since 1980 is the headquarters of the theater group “Teatre Kaddish”. The Teatre Kaddish was born in 1975. Initiative of a group of students from the Institute Baldiri Guilera del Prat de Llobregat. The group settled in the aforementioned Cervantes, in the Casal de Cultura and the gymnasium of the baldiri Guilera Institute until reaching its current headquarters, the attic of the Tower Muntadas, enabled as theater by the city of Prat.

L’artisà, Theatre and Cafè with lots of charm

Continuing with the tour, and not far from the Centre d’art Torre Muntadas we visit the “L’artesà”. Located at El carrer centre 33 a few minutes walk from the hostel. We are talking about a theater built in 1919, by the modernist architect Antoni Pascual. This theater, hosted local amateur theater groups and professional and commercial performances of the moment. They alternated film screenings and the organization of charity events.

During the Civil War, the CNT occupied the building and turned it into the House of the people. After the war, the owners ‘ society recovered the building to restart its activity. During the Fiesta Mayor of 1939 there were dances and a performance of zarzuela.

At the end of 1988 the state of deterioration that hinders the use as a theater, especially the stage space, advised the closure of the theater and study a possible reform.

Tear down the affected parts but retaining the side walls of the theater, the lobby, the bar and the catalogued elements (facades, roof, ceilings, courtyard…), and instead introduce a new theater that would respond to the needs and modern functionalities of a theater of the XXI century.

Today, the building of L’artesà is an architectural complex formed by the theater, the cafe and the courtyard of L’artesà which is very cool .

In this link you will find all the info of the theater and here all the information of the Cafe.

Caserna dels Carrabiners, barracks house facing the sea

Leaving the urban core of the village we head towards the Caserna dels Carrabiners. One of the nicest ways to get there is by bike. Crossing the “Parc Agrari” and the “Delta Del Llobregat” we reach these semi-ruined buildings by the sea.

This place by the sea and dates back to the middle of the XIX century, in order to control smuggling and guard the coast, the first buildings of the barracks were built. From this point, the carabineros corps participated in the rescue of ships and people.

Its walls protect the natural beach, closed to the public, which surrounds it and watch, so that species of birds such as the black Whiting, the audouin Seagull, The Oyster or the fishing Eagle find food and shelter.

El Semàfor, the jewel of Delta del Llobregat

Advancing on this fantastic walk through the history of the Prat, we head towards “El Semàfor”, a building on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea where movie scenes have been shot and a unique place to get lost in time and enjoy relaxation with sea views.

The Semàfor building was built in 1887 to regulate coastal maritime traffic. The function of the Watchmen residing in the building was to communicate with the castle of Montjuïc by using flags to warn of possible incidents or shipwrecks.

This historic building is located in a unique setting and becomes an exceptional viewpoint of the deltaic landscape that surrounds it and the protected beach closed to the public that can be seen from its spectacular walkway.

MuchaMasia, a hostel in a farmhouse of the 19th century

What better way to finish this tour at the hostel, having enjoyed discovering part of the historical buildings of the Prat de Llobregat.

The hostel is located in an old farmhouse from the beginning of the nineteenth century in the Old Town. Typical Catalan farmhouse, full of history. A barn converted into a common area for meditation and relaxation for guests.

Double rooms combined past and present. Headboards with the original doors of the old barn. In one of them, we can see a metal grating with a hole, used in times of war. Food was put inside the barn for the birds to enter so that they could easily catch them and then feed.

Going up to the upper floor, in the first section of the staircase, we find “La volta Catalana”, typical Catalan construction technique originating from the ancient Roman builders.

So we finished this tour of some of the emblematic buildings of the city, but there are many more that we will be happy to introduce you during your stay with us.