Colonia Vidal, often abbreviated to Cal Vidal, is one of the most important of the textile workers’ colonies in
Catalonia. It was established on the banks of the Llobregat river in the 1890s by Ignasi Vidal I Balet (1836-96), and its factory specialised in the production of high quality cotton fabrics used for bed sheets and similar purposes, using cotton imported from the United States, India and Egypt. The mill was powered by electricity generated by water-powered turbines, and worked until 1980. The museum which interprets the colony was established in 1995 and is part of the Catalonian Museum of Science and Technology. Visitors to the Colonia Vidal can see various types of housing built by the mill owners for their workpeople, as well as the Neo-Romanesque Church of the Immaculate Conception, and twentieth century buildings such as the cinema, the library and a games hall. Many of the workers at the mill were young women, for whom there was a residential home run by nuns. The museum also draws the attention of visitors to the natural environment of the area.
Museum of the Vidal Workers’ Colony
Museu de la Colònia Vidal de Puig-reig
Carrer de Santignasi 2
08692 Puig-reig
Spain
+34 (0) 93 - 8290458
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