Capdella Hydroelectric Museum

Capdella was the first major hydroelectric plant in Catalunya. It was designed in the late nineteenth century by Emili Riu to use the energy potential of the reservoir of Vall Fosca. It began operation in 1914 after just two years of construction. The museum opened in 2001 and is part of mNACTEC, the Museums of Science and Technology of Catalunya. The large group of impressive stone buildings have a dramatic location surrounded by mountain peaks. The display explain the development of the scheme with the infrastructure of workers’ accommodation, offices, narrow-gauge railways, access roads, electricity lines and cable cars, as well as how it powered Catalan industry. Visitors see the 836-m flumes that bring water to the turbines, the turbine hall itself with its generators and switchgear and other installations such as the foundry and transformer station. The museum also tells the story of mining in the area: for lead, copper and later uranium.