The Veolia Water Museum in Cornellà de Llobregat celebrates a significant double milestone this weekend. It marks its one-millionth visitor after two decades of operation, coinciding with a special programme of events for World Water Day. From Friday, 20 March to Sunday, 22 March 2026, the museum invites visitors to a series of activities designed to, in the organisers’ words, “fuse historical memory, social reflection, and environmental outreach.”
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Nestled on the banks of the Llobregat River, the museum occupies the historic Central Cornellà pumping station, a stunning example of Catalan industrial architecture inaugurated in 1909. These weekend events also mark the museum reaching its landmark one-millionth visitor, establishing its status as a key cultural and educational institution in the Barcelona metropolitan area.
A Weekend of Reflection and Discovery
The programme begins on Friday with a special event for local citizens and associations, moderated by journalist Toni Aira. This session will explore the United Nations’ theme for this year’s World Water Day: “Where water flows, equality grows.” Organisers told news agency Europa Press that the gathering seeks to share experiences and knowledge on key issues in future water management.
Numerous institutional representatives will attend, including Lluïsa Moret, mayor of Sant Boi and President of the Provincial Deputation of Barcelona; Antonio Balmón, mayor of Cornellà de Llobregat; Ana María Martínez, mayor of Rubí; and Laura Garcia, Deputy Mayor of L’Hospitalet de Llobregat. Sílvia Paneque, the Generalitat de Catalunya’s Minister for Territory, will also participate, alongside top executives from Veolia and Aigües de Barcelona, such as Daniel Tugues, Felipe Campos, and Ignacio Escudero.
A Photographic Journey into the Past
A highlight of the weekend is the inauguration of Por los caminos del agua (Through the Paths of Water), a previously unseen photography exhibition by renowned Catalan photographer Francesc Català-Roca.
The collection offers a profound ethnographic look at Spanish society’s relationship with water before the widespread availability of domestic supply networks. Català-Roca’s lens captures the daily hardship and routines in cities and rural areas, documenting a now almost forgotten way of life. The exhibition particularly highlights the female figure, acknowledging that tap water’s arrival was not merely a technical advance but “a genuine liberating element that transformed the lives of millions, particularly women,” by drastically reducing the time and effort dedicated to this vital task.
For younger visitors, the museum offers a special family programme featuring experimental workshops and dynamic tours. These activities aim to highlight water’s importance and raise awareness among children about preserving this scarce resource, a pressing issue as experts warn that recent rains have not ended Catalonia’s drought.
Architecture in the Spotlight
The celebration coincides perfectly with Barcelona’s preparations to become the 2026 World Architecture Capital. The museum, therefore, takes the opportunity to showcase its own architectural treasures. The main building, designed by Josep Amargós i Samaranch, stands as a jewel of Catalan industrial modernism.
The Cascada Gaudí also receives attention, a reconstruction of a fountain originally designed by the iconic architect Antoni Gaudí for Casa Vicens. The museum painstakingly rebuilt this waterfall feature in 2019. This focus on architectural heritage resonates with other cultural initiatives across the city, including the ongoing debate over a new home for Barcelona’s historic carriages and celebrations of Gaudí’s work, such as Park Güell’s new chocolate egg exhibition.
By blending history, art, and environmental science, the Museu de les Aigües offers a comprehensive reflection on water’s central role in society, connecting its industrial past with the urgent challenges of the future.
