Do you see those kilns? They stand as silent witnesses to a bygone era here at Museu La Rajoleta. This museum is not just about ceramics. It is about a slice of Catalan industrial history.
Museu La Rajoleta resides within the old Pujol i Bausis factory. The town hall acquired the property in the 1980s. The factory was nearing its end. But in its prime it was a ceramics powerhouse.
Let’s step back in time. The story of this factory starts in 1858. Two French partners Marius Jourdan and Joan Terrada began a tile factory. They produced “thin tiles and crockery tiles”.
In 1876 Jaume Pujol i Bausis took over. This marked a period of stability. The quality of ceramics grew. His son Pablo Pujol Vilà pushed the factory to new heights. This coincided with the golden age of Modernism.
Architects like Gaudí sought ceramic elements here. They used elements in their architectural works. These ceramics came from the Esplugues factory. Artists like Adrià Gual also created ceramic projects here.
The company had offices in Barcelona. The factory was here in Esplugues. Two art directors oversaw production Juan B. Alòs i Peris and Francisco Quer i Selvas.
After the Civil War the company changed. It became Cerámicas Pujol i Bausis PLC. Narciso Vallvé Bonany a former worker led the company. His son Narciso Vallvé Asenjo later succeeded him.
The factory started new production lines. They manufactured electrical insulators and liners for ball mills. The company marketed ceramic products until its final closure.
The factory suffered neglect. Parts were demolished. But in 1994 the site saw new life. The construction of a new building began. This building now houses the permanent exhibition of Museu La Rajoleta. Archaeological surveys uncovered even more of its history.
In 2002 the museum opened to the public. It coincided with the Gaudí Year celebrations. The museum gained recognition. The Bonaplata Awards distinguished its dissemination.
Despite provisional installations the site is special. Its ovens and other items are of interest. In 2006 the Science and Technology Museum linked to Museu La Rajoleta as a collaborator. In 2007 it officially became the Ceramics Museum “La Rajoleta” of Esplugues de Llobregat.
Inside Museu La Rajoleta a set route guides you. It includes the outdoor area and the building.
Outside you can see remains. There are settling tanks mills and the chimney for the steam engine. A set of kilns stands out. Six are Arab type. Two are underground. There are also bottle kilns and one for metallic reflection ceramics.
These remains have great value. They show the manufacturing process of Catalan decorative ceramics. The process spans from the 19th century to today.
Inside the museum three main themes guide you. They support the kiln visit. There are also audiovisual displays. The first theme is the company. It presents four periods. It starts in the mid-19th century. It goes through the Pujol i Bausis family’s peak. It ends with the company’s closure in 1984.
The second theme is the factory. It explains the production process. This includes preparing the land making the pieces and baking them in kilns.
The third theme is the production. It explores the different types of ceramics made. It emphasizes its link to Modernism. A section focuses on Lluís Brú i Salelles’ mosaic workshop.
The mosaic area was created in 2010. It highlights mosaic techniques. It features reproductions and original tools. An image from 1908 shows the workshop. The exhibition displays original mosaics. It also includes pieces from Fonda Marina.
So when you explore Museu La Rajoleta remember its layers. It is a factory a family business and a museum. It connects to Gaudí Modernism and Catalan identity.