In Esplugues de Llobregat, a variety of cultural traces lead from the history of patterned tiles to ceramic kilns and medieval and Modernista architecture. Can Tinturé focuses on tile art, while La Rajoleta showcases kilns and structural remains of ceramic production. A historic walking tour through the centre offers another way to get to know the city.
The History of Tiles at Can Tinturé
Can Tinturé is Spain’s first museum devoted exclusively to tiles. Its collection includes tile samples from the 14th to the 19th century. The exhibition traces the chronological and aesthetic development of patterned tiles from the Middle Ages to the threshold of industrialisation. It focuses on both the changes over time and the designs of the tiles.
The museum is housed in a historic tower in the historic centre. The tower was built in 1898 by architect Claudi Duran i Ventosa. A visit to the collection can therefore also be combined with a look at a specific building from the city’s history.
Kilns and Production Traces at La Rajoleta
La Rajoleta comprises six Arab-style kilns. These include two large underground kilns, two bottle kilns and a kiln for lustreware. The site also contains the remains of settling basins, the mill room, the clay area, foundations and the chimney of the steam engine. The kilns and surviving structures draw attention both to different types of kilns and to other structural traces of production.
La Rajoleta can be visited on a guided tour. Tours are listed for the second Sunday of the month at 10:30 a.m. and 12 p.m., and the third Sunday at 10:30 a.m. Before your visit, check whether these times apply to your chosen date.
Monastic Architecture and Art
The Monestir de Montsió includes a 14th-century Gothic cloister, a monastic church and the Modernista house Can Casanovas by Antoni Maria Gallissà . Its architecture thus brings together different periods and building styles. The route La memòria de la ciutat also includes a visit inside the monastery.
Espai Corberó, a large-scale work by sculptor Xavier Corberó Olivella, offers a distinctive artistic highlight. Those looking beyond buildings and collection pieces to modern art will find another aspect of Esplugues de Llobregat’s cultural offering here.
Walking Tours, Cultural Programme and Green Space
La mà d’Esplugues is a historic walking tour through the centre, with 16 notable stops. You can follow it independently using a smartphone or join it as a guided tour. This sets it apart from Can Tinturé: the museum focuses on a single collection theme, while the walking tour explores the city through multiple stops.
The Festa Major de Santa Magdalena, also known as Festa Petita, features local dances, offerings, an iron procession, a Castellers festival and a human tower in motion. Specific events may vary from year to year, so check the dates and programme for your travel dates. EspluLAB offers activities for everyone, as well as workshops and talks. Its specific programme may also change, so it is worth checking what is on during your chosen period.
Parc dels Torrents offers a different focus. The park covers 16 hectares and features native vegetation, as well as steps, ramps and footbridges that make it easier to get around. To reach the museums of Esplugues, take Trambaix lines T1, T2 or T3 to Pont d’Esplugues stop. Check current services before travelling.
Discover more destinations: Sant Boi De Llobregat, Sant Feliu de Llobregat, Corbera De Llobregat, Torrelles De Llobregat, Sant Climent De Llobregat, CornellĂ de Llobregat.
For the broader travel guide: Baix Llobregat.
