3. Can Quim del rec
The former Can Quim del Rec farmhouse was built at a place called the Canat Nou, from which comes the name of today’s street (carrer del Canat). Records of this toponym date back to the 13th century and it is related to the funnel-shaped fishing contraption known as a “canat” (fish trap), which was used to trap eels. At the time of its construction, between the 17th and 18th centuries, it appears that Can Quim del Rec was the only building at that location. The rest were orchards and fields that used the water of the rec Major. It was not until the 19th century that this sector of the city started to be urbanised, mainly with workers’ houses (day labourers, farm hands, cartwrights, etc.) and a few factories. There are also records of a travertine quarry-workshop at the location where the football stadium was later built.
The building has a ground floor, first floor and loft. The rec Major runs underneath it, covered by a stone vault. All the indications are that the water originally drove the paddle wheel of a mill, which has not been preserved.
Water and leisure
The leisure and amusement of the bathing spots were not limited to the Lake. People also cooled off in the channels. Thanks to the wooden walkway that was next to Can Quim del Rec, this soon became one of the bathers’ favourite hangouts. Beyond the channel, at the other side of carrer del Canat, was the so-called "Bany de les dones" (Women’s Bath), where the ladies of the neighbourhood often cooled off, safe from the gaze of busybodies and distracted passers-by.
Did you know that...
the building’s name comes from one of its former residents, Joaquim Caulas, known as Quim del Rec?