Sóller secures historic textile factory – space for a new textile museum

Sóller saves Fàbrica Nova: step by step to a textile museum

Late in the afternoon the heritage commission of the island council decided to acquire the Fàbrica Nova in Sóller. Anyone who has recently walked through the narrow streets towards the station district knows the large brick building: windows broken, dust on the machines, and time has gnawed at every corner. Now the public sector is stepping in — and it's not being stingy.

What's planned

A total of around €9.2 million has been budgeted. Just over two million go towards the purchase, which prevented imminent expropriation. The lion's share, about €6.5 million, is reserved for the actual renovation. In addition, the island council lists items that are easily overlooked in everyday life: €230,000 for expert reports, €200,000 for special measures due to heritage protection and around €500,000 for the conservation of original machines and furniture.

The museographic concept also costs: just under €1.7 million are planned for exhibition design, plus €110,000 for operations and maintenance planning. After completion the administration expects annual maintenance costs of about €1 million.

Why this is important

Sóller was once a centre of textile production on the island. If you meet the baker near the station, you'll still hear stories of worker families, smoking chimneys and long shifts. Buildings like the Fàbrica Nova are such places of memory — and without intervention they would soon be lost forever. A textile museum aims to preserve exactly that: machines, craftsmanship, but also the stories of the people behind them.

Next is the formal completion of the purchase — a closing before the end of the year is targeted — and an immediate measure to stabilise the building fabric. After that a concrete restoration concept will be put out to tender.

A bit of local pride and many open questions

The news has produced mixed reactions here. Older residents breathe a sigh of relief, cultural associations applaud. Others ask how the annual costs will be covered and what kinds of exhibitions the house will show in the future. One thing is clear: it's time for the building to have a purpose again. And who knows — there may soon be tours, workshops and Sundays when children can try out old looms.

I'll be there at the first construction appointment. Probably with wet shoes and too much curiosity.