Museu de l'Aigua

About the museum

The Museu de l'Aigua de Lleida studies, conserves and promotes the heritage related to water in the city: the historic irrigation systems of medieval origin, the supply of drinking water, hydroelectric power and the traditional uses of the Segre river. It depends on the Ayuntamiento de Lleida and is organised into several spaces located in different places.

Its main venue is the Campament de la Canadenca, the former site of the hydroelectric company La Canadiense, later FECSA, next to the Seròs canal. It housed workers' homes, offices and warehouses, and today it hosts the museum's offices, educational spaces, the garden and the main exhibitions, including the one devoted to Dr. Pearson and to the works of La Canadiense in Lleida. The chalet on the site also presents the legacy of the Lleida-born scientist Joan Oró.

The Dipòsit del Pla de l'Aigua is the city's first water reservoir. Construction began in 1784 and was completed eight years later; it is underground, covered by six barrel vaults resting on twenty-five pillars, and was filled with water from the Pinyana canal to supply six monumental fountains, some of which still stand in the old town. The Molí de Sant Anastasi, a former medieval flour mill driven by the Fontanet acequia (irrigation channel), keeps its machinery and its waterfall, and the Pous del gel are two ice wells built between 1611 and 1616 to store winter ice.

Highlights

• Exhibition “La força de l'aigua” on the works of La Canadiense in Lleida
• Dipòsit del Pla de l'Aigua, an underground reservoir from the 18th century
• “Aigües del món” collection of bottled water from around the world
• Permanent exhibition “Joan Oró. El científic de la vida”
• Molí de Sant Anastasi and Pous del gel

Permanent exhibitions

• La força de l'aigua. El Dr. Pearson i les obres de la Canadenca a Lleida – Explains the arrival of the hydroelectric company in the Terres de Lleida, the construction of the canal and the Seròs power station, and the principles of hydroelectricity. It is complemented by a space devoted to the adventure of La Canadiense's engineers.
• Aigües del món, un món d'aigües – Collection of bottled water from around the world, contributed by travellers from Lleida, which invites reflection on the diversity of water and the impact of human activity on the environment.
• Joan Oró. El científic de la vida – Overview of the career of the Lleida-born scientist Joan Oró with original documents and photographs, working objects and, among them, samples of the meteorites he studied.

Operated by

Ayuntamiento de Lleida (Paeria), Regidoria de Cultura

Visitors per year

approx. 16,000 (2023)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission to all the museum's spaces.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The spaces of the Campament de la Canadenca are fully accessible for people with reduced mobility. The reception has an adapted toilet, and the first floor of the chalet can be reached by stairs or lift. People with reduced mobility can park at the museum entrance. The Dipòsit del Pla de l'Aigua is also adapted: the door on calle de l'Assalt is accessible (the one on calle de Múrcia has a step), and the reservoir is reached by a flight of 36 steps or by a lift with a ramp; the floor is always wet from seepage. The Molí de Sant Anastasi has the ground floor and the first floor with no internal connection.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Baby changing facilities

The museum offers visits, experimental workshops and educational activities for pre-school and primary children, and runs workshops for families.

Getting there & parking

The Campament de la Canadenca is in the parc Joan Oró.

Amenities & dining

In the garden of the Campament de la Canadenca there are exhibited pieces, a drinking fountain and benches. The reception toilets include a baby-changing table.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit