Rationalism, delta, water and mathematics in Baix Llobregat

It’s called Casa Gomis but is also known as La Ricarda and the Glass House, and is one of the best examples of rationalist architecture in the region. It was designed by the architect Antoni Bonet Castellana and built between 1949 and 1956, at a time when he was in exile in Argentina. Throughout the process he had to communicate by letter with the family that had commissioned it, the Gomis-Bertrands.

But we haven’t yet told you where it is. Casa Gomis is very close to El Prat de Llobregat beach and La Ricarda lake – hence it’s popular name – , and to visit it you can leave the car park by El Prat Municipal sailing club. In the 1960s the house became a meeting point for the cultural avant-garde and hosted musical and theatre events organised by Club 49. If you want to explore it, check out the organised visits, because there is usually only one per month, with two times available: one includes aperitif and the other lunch.  

Very close to La Ricarda is the Llobregat Delta, and whenever you’re in this area you shouldn’t miss the chance to walk around and explore it. There are several routes to do around this great natural area, and today you’ll go to the Semàfor, a building erected in the late 19th century to regulate coastal shipping and today provides an exceptional view of the surrounding deltaic landscape. The route there is naturally flat and easy, and you can also cycle. Along the way, you’ll see the Caserna dels Carrabiners, which, as the name suggests, was a barracks occupied by carabineers who kept a lookout over the coasts and for smuggling.

For lunch go to the restaurant Plats in Cornellà de Llobregat, where you’ll be delighted by its avant-garde cuisine based on traditional recipes.

You can continue discovering different places of interest in the Baix Llobregat region, and next up is the Museu de les Aigües, the water museum of the Fundació Agbar. The museum, in the old Cornellà power station – opened in 1909 and still working – tells the story of water through experiences adapted to all ages. In particular, it shows the evolution of how water has reached homes in the metropolitan area of Barcelona. 

And stay in Cornellà to experience the next stage of the getaway. Have you ever visited the Museu Palau Mercader? It’s well worth it! On the first floor you’ll discover the cultural and artistic tastes of an aristocratic family of the last century. There are over 3,000 objects, including furniture, curtains, lamps, paintings and old portraits...

The second floor of the Palau, in contrast, is occupied by the MMACA, the Museu de les Matemàtiques de Catalunya, a unique venue that explores the world of mathematics and completely interactive, where you’ll have fun learning about this subject feared by so many students.

Before or after visiting the Palau Mercader, take a stroll around the park surrounding the building, which was part of the estate’s gardens.