Montcada: Water Heritage and Industrial History

Montcada can be explored through specific cultural and landscape themes. When planning a hotel stay, its historic water facilities, the Iberian settlement of Les Maleses and its viewpoints offer different starting points. The Rec Comtal is also part of this heritage: alongside the almost 13-kilometre-long canal, there is a walking route of about two kilometres along visible sections.

Water Heritage and Industrial History

The Casa de les Aigües was a station for extracting and pumping water from the Besòs aquifer. As an extension of the Museu Municipal de Montcada i Reixac, it brings together the museum’s offerings on the city’s water heritage, science and sustainability. It is also considered a key element of Catalan industrial heritage. Here, the water station’s former function meets its significance in industrial history.

The Museu Municipal is developing a permanent exhibition and activities to introduce the local history of Montcada i Reixac to residents and educational centres. Guided tours of the Casa de les Aigües take place regularly on the first Sunday of each month. Check the municipal website for the relevant dates before your trip.

The Parc de les Aigües is also connected to Montcada’s historic water heritage, particularly the Rec Comtal and the area around the fountains. The park enhances this site, adding another point of reference to the connection between water engineering and urban history.

The Rec Comtal: distinguishing the canal from the walking route

The Rec Comtal is a water canal more than a thousand years old and almost 13 kilometres long. It was built to carry surplus water from Montcada i Reixac to the fertile plains north of Barcelona. A walking route is a separate feature: along about two kilometres, visitors can follow visible sections of the canal from the Mina de Montcada to the Barcelona neighbourhood of Vallbona. The canal’s long history and the specific stretch of path offer different perspectives on the water heritage—from the canal as an engineering structure to the route that can be part of a walking itinerary.

Archaeological Traces and Historic Sites

The Iberian settlement of Les Maleses has a regular urban layout. Houses made of stone, earth and wood stand along a main street, while a defensive wall encircled and protected the settlement. These features make its layout easy to picture: the houses and main street form an orderly structure, while the wall enclosed the protected settlement area.

Sant Pere de Reixac has a history spanning more than a thousand years. The site is near the Besòs River, on a hill in the Vallès, and offers panoramic views of the region. The architectural ensemble comprises the church, bell tower, cemetery and wayside cross. Its history, location and built ensemble are closely linked, yet are distinct aspects of the site.

Views Around Reixac

The Mirador de Reixac is a sauló (decomposed granite) viewing terrace in front of the church of Reixac. From there, panoramic views extend over Montcada Hill and the Besòs Valley. The landscape features in this view are clearly defined; at Sant Pere de Reixac, by contrast, the focus is on panoramic views of the region. Those interested in the landscape when planning a trip can thus consider two different descriptions of the views in Montcada.

An Annual Tradition in September

The Festa del Fanalet is an annual tradition held in September as part of the Festa Major of Terra Nostra. Residents greet a train at the station with lanterns. The tradition was also included in the 2025 programme. If you would like to plan your trip around this festival, check the event dates in advance.

Discover more destinations: Talamanca, Fígols, Sant Pol De Mar, Pujalt, Canoves, Santa Perpetua De Moguda, Collsuspina, Castellterçol

For the broader travel overview: Barcelona.