Visit the Museu de Viladecans
To really get to know Viladecans, visit the Museum. The entire history and heritage of the city and the Llobregat Delta is displayed in two of our most special buildings: Ca n’Amat and the Sales hermitage. Ready to take a fun journey back in time?
On display are items from both the permanent and temporary collections, including ethnographic and historical exhibits that shed light on the city’s traditional culture and the world of farming. There are also pieces from the archaeological collections that date from the area’s distant past.
THE HISTORY OF A mammoth
In 2008, in the Can Tries area in Viladecans, an incredible discovery was made: the remains of a number of animals dating from over 50,000 years ago, one of the most important paleontological finds in Catalonia.
The remains belonged to various animals which lived in the area at temperatures of 15º below zero. Imagine the cold! The bones of horses, deer, rhinoceros, sabre tooth tigers, but above all mammoths, were found, making this one of the most important mammoth sites in Southern Europe.
One of the star attractions from the site is on display in the Viladecans Museum: the tusk of a young mammoth dating from 40,000 to 50,000 years ago.
Now you know the origins of the “Mamullada” (Mammoth Run) that takes place during our town festivals!
A bit of history: from the 18th to 19th centuries the building belonged to the Amat-Sala-Targa family. It became part of the town’s heritage when it was donated by Mrs Eulàlia Amat i Targa in 1995. Since then, following comprehensive restoration, it has served as the museum headquarters.
The museum information desk is located in the Sala del Celler (cellar room). Farming-related items from the pre-industrial era are on display in the courtyard. The Sala Joan Amat holds one of the permanent displays of objects, audiovisuals and interactive exhibits that tell the story both of the city and the building itself. For a taste of the 19th century, the Cocina (kitchen) is a favourite with visitors as it allows you to experience first-hand what daily life was like in those times. How things have changed since then!
The hermitage is Romanesque in construction, and important paintings from the 13th and 14th centuries have been found within its walls. Here you can take a spectacular journey back in time through an ancient Roman villa, a medieval farmhouse and a Romanesque temple. Interesting remains of gothic paintings from the 13th century are preserved throughout the hermitage. Also of note among the most valuable items on display is a terracotta figure of a woman praying, which probably dates from the 15th century.
Beyond its walls, the Viladecans Museum also organises free guided tours of Ca n’Amat and other important buildings like Can Modolell (the Town Hall), Torre del Baró and Torre-Roja, as well as a number of other themed long-distance itineraries. The Museum also hosts a range of activities, talks and conferences to disseminate the cultural heritage of Viladecans and the Llobregat Delta. Keep an eye on our calendar if you don’t want to miss anything!
Viladecans Museum - More information
