Tired stone whispers tales of time. We are standing before what remains of Ca l’Alemany a once-thriving farmhouse in Badalona. Now only ruins hint at its rich past.
Ca l’Alemany was more than just a building. It symbolized Badalona’s rural life. It embodied the city’s heritage. Once surrounded by fields it was filled with almond trees and vineyards. Water flowed from three springs ensuring life.
Imagine the Costa family generations living here. They lived alongside their workers. The “mossos” shared daily life at Ca l’Alemany. They managed the farm’s work. They sold the produce. Josep Costa’s mother Conxita Borràs sold vegetables at Plaça Nova. Life was hard. Family ties were strong. The day began at four in the morning. It ended at night around the fireplace.
Listen. Anecdotes add emotion to Ca l’Alemany’s story. They sold carob beans to Barcelona labs. They sold wine to Badalona residents sustaining them. Tragedy struck when Pere a worker drowned in a pool.
Paquita Borràs sold the estate. The buyer from Girona wanted to expand the B-20 highway. This marked the end of an era for the Costa family.
After the family left Ca l’Alemany was occupied. An Andalusian family watched over it. Sadly it was eventually looted. Only a wine press survived. It now resides in the Museu de Badalona. Even security guards played a role here. Two security guards and three civil guards patrolled regularly. They maintained order. They had rooms here to rest. This shows Ca l’Alemany’s importance as a haven.
Think about Josep and Salvador Costa. These brothers keep Ca l’Alemany’s memory alive. Josep fondly remembers the lively farmhouse. He recalls the constant work in the fields. Salvador feels emotional about the loss of this heritage. Both regret that Ca l’Alemany’s rich history is gone. Old photos and family memories remain. They are the best evidence of that era of work and community.
Josep Francesc de Mora i Catà received a title from France. Ferran VI recognized the Marquisate of Llió as Spanish nobility. He was president of the Acadèmia de Bones Lletres. He was also a perpetual councilor of Barcelona. He acquired houses in Badalona including Ca l’Alemany. The Alemany family continued as tenants.
The Marquis renovated Ca l’Alemany. He added arches around the water tank. This pool is the only element that remains today.
Centuries passed. The title of Marquis passed down. The tenant farmers abandoned the farmhouse sometime in the 20th century. They never returned. A furious crowd entered the property soon after. They destroyed burned and ruined everything. The reason for this remains a mystery.
Ca l’Alemany was valued by the Romans in the 2nd century. It now stands abandoned. Only memories remain of this special place. Also visible is the square pool surrounded by a small courtyard and a gallery of arches. Between the farmhouse and the monastery is an aqueduct. It has six brick arches. It carried water from the mine to a house. The house is now in ruins.
Remember Ca l’Alemany. It is more than ruins. It is a testament to Badalona’s rural past.