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I am sharing in The Photos of the Readers of La Vanguardia these spring photographs taken in the Artigas Gardens in La Pobla de Lillet, in the Berguedà region.
These gardens were designed by the architect Antoni Gaudí and are located in a wonderful natural environment. The image corresponds to the bridge through which the Llobregat river runs through part of these gardens.
At the beginning of the 20th century, Eusebi Güell and Bacigalupi founded the first Portland cement factory in Catalonia, known as Asland, in Clot del Moro. The coal extracted from the Catllaràs mines was used to power the ovens.
But, the considerable distance between the population center of La Pobla de Lillet and the mining exploitation led Eusebi Güell to commission the architect Antoni Gaudí to design the Xalet del Catllaràs as accommodation for the mine workers and engineers.
During his stay in the Vall de Lillet, Gaudí stayed at the home of the Artigas, owners of one of the most prosperous factories of the time. In gratitude for the hospitality received, he presented them with the design of a garden on land that the family had right in front of their house and the textile factory. This is the origin of the Artigas Gardens, "a work where nature and architecture merge in perfect harmony", according to Turisme Lillet.
