Museu de la Pell d'Igualada i Comarcal de l'Anoia
Industrial museum in the former Cal Boyer factory on the craft of tanning and the uses of leather, with a space devoted to water.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum has its origins in the Museu de la Ciutat, opened in 1949 on the initiative of the Centre d'Estudis Comarcals d'Igualada. In 1954, with the support of the tanners, a section on leather was opened in the same centre. In 1982 management passed to the Fundación Pública Municipal Museo Comarcal de la Anoia.
In 1983 the town council, the Generalitat's Museum Service and the Gremio de Curtidores (tanners' guild) bought the 18th-century tannery of Cal Granotes, which was excavated, restored and opened to the public in 1990. The town council also acquired a former textile factory, Cal Boyer, which is now the museum's home and was refurbished in phases: between 1986 and 1999, rooms with permanent exhibitions on tanning heritage and on water were opened there.
In 1998 the museum was declared a section of the Museu de la Ciència i de la Tècnica de Catalunya (mNACTEC) and became part of its territorial system; in 2015 it joined the Igualada Leather Cluster Barcelona. The collections bring together objects, tools and machinery related to leather and the tanning industry, as well as water-powered machines and utensils linked to the use of water. The reserve also holds paintings and sculptures, altarpieces and religious art, archaeology, palaeontology, science and technology, ethnology and natural sciences.
Highlights
- Room “L'ofici d'adober”: from pre-industrial tanning to industrialisation
- Room “Un univers de pell”: leather objects from Roman times to the 20th century
- “Aigua” space with water-powered machines and an experimental channel with models
- Cal Granotes tannery (18th century), currently closed for renovation
- Casa de la Festa with the giants, big-headed figures and dragons of Igualada
Permanent exhibitions
- L'ofici d'adober – Shows pre-industrial tanning beside the Rec canal and the path towards industrialisation with the first machines.
- Un univers de pell – Selection of leather objects from Roman times to the 20th century, from nearby settings and distant cultures.
- Espai Aigua – Overview of how water has been captured and used, with water-powered machines and an experimental channel with models.
- Founded
- 1954
- Operated by
- Ayuntamiento de Igualada
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3Young people aged 12 to 16, students, Carnet Jove holders, large and single-parent families, retired people, members of the Club Xarxa Turisme Industrial de Catalunya, holders of a disability card and combined tickets with other museums in the town |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 12 · Free admission for children up to 12; young people aged 12 to 16 pay the reduced fare. |
| Seniors | €3Retired people: reduced admission. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €3Holders of a disability card: reduced admission. |
| Students & apprentices | €3With a student card: reduced admission. |
| Groups (10+ people) | €4.50 per personGuided visit to one space, with prior booking (minimum 10 people); reduced: €2.50. |
| Families | €3Large and single-parent families: reduced admission. |
| Guided visit to one space (groups, minimum 10 people, prior booking) | €4.50Reduced: €2.50 |
| Guided school visit (per pupil) | €2Instruction and materials included |
| Guided school visit and workshop (per pupil) | €4.50Instruction and materials included |
Free admission: First Sunday of each month.
Admission includes free visits to the Museu de la Pell and to Cal Granotes (currently closed for renovation). Temporary exhibitions and the Casa de la Festa are free of charge. Teachers, members of ICOM and of the Associació de Museòlegs de Catalunya, unemployed people, tourist guides, holders of the StmNACTEC card, members of the Gremi de Blanquers, and volunteers and students of the CPNL also enter free.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The museum has access ramps, lifts to the exhibition rooms and a wheelchair available for anyone who needs one. It takes part in the “Mirada Tàctil” project of the Diputació de Barcelona, with tactile, visual and auditory resources and texts in braille.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 12 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | €3 · Large and single-parent families: reduced admission. |
- Hands-on stations
In the water space, models can be set in motion in an experimental channel. The museum offers schools guided visits and workshops.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Regular bus from Hispano Igualadina; Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya train, line R6 Barcelona Plaça Espanya–Igualada.
By car
Free parking · 200 m to the entrance
Free parking about 200 m away, at the junction of calle de Sant Faust and calle del Rec.
The museum is in the centre of the Rec district, 400 m from the town centre (Plaza del Ayuntamiento).
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
- Coat check
- Lockers
- Wi-Fi
Shop in the lobby with leather goods made by local artisans. Cloakroom and lockers: umbrellas, bags, backpacks or parcels larger than 40 × 40 cm must be left there. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms of the Museu de la Pell.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Corporate events
Up to 600 guests.
Spaces are made available to organisations and companies for cultural, social, educational or commercial events: the lobby (72 people), the temporary exhibition room (112), the nave de las cerchas (truss hall, 270), the workshop room (27) and the courtyard (600). The auditorium (154 seats) has been temporarily closed for works since 27 October 2025. Check availability on 938 046 752.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided visits for groups (minimum 10 people) by appointment. In the rooms there are explanatory sheets in Catalan, Spanish and English. |
