Museu de les Trementinaires Josa i Tuixent

The Tuixent Trementinaires Museum opened its doors in 1998 to preserve the memory of a trade practiced by the women of the Vansa Valley and Tuixent. The trade of turmentinaire became a way to supplement the household economy for many families.

Turpentine trade

The profession of turpentine maker dates back to the time when the demographic pressure of the mid-19th century caused the seasonal exodus of many men and women from these valleys to wealthier areas. It was in this context of social disintegration that many women from the valley dedicated themselves to extracting from this harsh and ungrateful land a means to survive the transformations of Catalonia, where, walking and laden with herbs and oils, they would "cure all ills."

Knowledge of plants, their medicinal properties, and the processes of making ancestral remedies, acquired through oral transmission, were, among others, the factors that motivated people to take up this new profession.

They owe their name to turpentine, the remedy that made them most popular.

This trade absorbed the majority of the valley's female population for over 100 years. The last trip was made by Sofía de Ossera in 1982. They traveled once or twice a year and could be away from just a few days to four months. Most of the trementinaires always followed the same route, as most of the farmhouses they visited became their clients year after year. They didn't usually go into large cities or frequent markets to sell their remedies, as they relied on a more personal and direct relationship with the people.

Exhibitions and activities at the museum

Throughout the year, the museum offers:

• A permanent exhibition on the history of turpentine.
• Temporary exhibitions, such as Rooted in Tuixent , with watercolors of medicinal plants reflected by Valentina Abadia (until June 29, 2025).
• Workshops and courses on natural remedies, medicinal herbs and plants, soaps, and tinctures. Training courses of varying lengths are available, upon registration. These courses are usually coordinated with organizations such as Esencias de Tuixent, which are especially active during the summer months.
• Guided botanical excursions and tours to discover the natural environment and native plants.