Maristes Valldemia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Maristes Valldemia |
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Maristes Valldemia school main building
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| Location | |
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161, La Riera St.
, Spain
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| Information | |
| Religious affiliation(s) | Marist Brothers, Christianity |
| Denomination | Catholicism |
| Founded | 1855 |
| Faculty | 90 |
| Age | 3 to 18 |
| Number of students | 1200 (2007) |
| Language | Catalan, Spanish, English, French |
| Campus | Col·legi Valldemia (Mataró) |
The Maristes Valldemia school, also known as Valldemia, is a well-known school located in Mataró, a city in Catalonia, Spain. It is a Catholic school managed by the Marist Brothers, a group of religious brothers who dedicate their lives to educating young people. The school is named after the Virgin Mary, specifically linked to the Candle tradition.
Contents
A School with History
The Valldemia school first opened its doors in 1855. It was started by three people connected to the Piarists, another religious order focused on education: a priest named Hermenegild Coll i Valldemia, along with Pelegrí Ferrer and Ramon Cuspinera.
When it first began, the school was called «Colegio de Cataluña». It was built on the land of an old Catalan farmhouse called Can Miralpeix. The main goal was to offer a modern education that also taught Christian values. After 1858, it became known as «Col·legi de Valldemia». In 1888, the Marist Brothers took over running the school, and they have been in charge ever since. Since 2012, its official name has been "Maristes Valldemia".
The School Building
The main building of the school was designed by an architect named Jeroni Boada. Later, in 1911, it was improved by Josep Goday i Casals. Interestingly, Josep Goday was once a student at Valldemia himself! He also helped start the school's Alumni Association.
The school building is considered an important piece of local history and architecture. It is listed in the Inventory of Architectural Heritage of Catalonia as a Local Cultural Heritage site.
Early Achievements and Challenges
Valldemia school quickly gained recognition for its excellent education. It even won a gold medal at the Paris Exposition in 1900 for its high quality.
During a difficult period in Spain's history, the Spanish Civil War, the school building was used as a hospital and a blood bank to help those in need.
Valldemia Today
Today, Maristes Valldemia is a large and active school. It has about 1200 students, ranging in age from 3 to 18 years old. These students are taught by a dedicated team of 90 teachers. The school continues its long tradition of providing a strong education in a caring environment.
Notable Former Students
Many people who became famous or important in their fields once studied at Valldemia. Here are a few:
- Josep Goday i Casals (1882 - 1936) - A well-known Catalan architect.
- Juan Pujol García (1912 – 1988) - A very clever World War II British double agent known as “Garbo.”
- Enric Sagnier i Villavecchia (1858 – 1931) - Another famous Catalan architect.
- Antonio Vergara Fernández - A nuclear Engineer who worked on the CERN's LHC project, which studies tiny particles.
- Felip Vall i Verdaguer (1916-2012) - A Catalan painter, known for his murals. He even painted a mural at the entrance of the Valldemia school's Chapel.
