Casa de les Punxes

Casa de les Punxes (also known as Torre Galimany) is a Modernist townhouse in Valls, a town in Catalonia's Alt Camp region. Built in 1912, it served for decades as a private residence and later as factory offices, and today it stands empty, waiting for a new owner.

The name "Punxes" — Catalan for "spikes" or "points" — refers to the distinctive conical, glazed ceramic roof crowning one of its towers. It's the single detail that makes the building instantly recognizable against the rest of Valls's streetscape.

What does Casa de les Punxes look like?

The house was designed in the spirit of Catalan Modernisme, though its actual construction dates to 1912. Its architect gave it the silhouette of an idealized medieval castle, with a tower on each side of the main façade. One tower is rectangular and topped with crenellations; the other is cylindrical and slender, finished with the conical, glazed ceramic roof that gives the building its name.

The façades are built in rendered and painted brick, accented with small ceramic and brick decorative details. The overall effect reads sturdier and more "fortress-like" than many other Modernist façades of the period — form and silhouette take priority over ornament.

What's the history behind the building?

Casa de les Punxes was originally built as the family home of the owner of Galimany, a company that manufactured insecticide products — which is where its other local name, Torre Galimany, comes from. Over time, its residential role gave way to an industrial one: the property passed into the hands of a Belgian company producing refractory materials and was used as factory offices for a period.

The factory buildings that grew up around the house were eventually demolished around the turn of the 21st century. The house itself survived, but without the surrounding industrial complex it gradually fell into disrepair. By 2019, the building was reported to be severely degraded, and despite being protected as a local cultural heritage asset, it has stood abandoned for years — currently for sale, as announced by a sign on its own façade.

How do you get to Casa de les Punxes in Valls?

Valls sits in the province of Tarragona, in the Alt Camp region, and is well connected to the rest of Catalonia: the town has its own train station on the line linking Tarragona and Lleida, plus bus connections to Barcelona and Tarragona. From the town centre, the building is a short walk of about ten to fifteen minutes.

Keep in mind that Casa de les Punxes is a private property, currently uninhabited and closed to visitors on the inside — the appeal here is the architecture itself, best appreciated from the street.

When is the best time to visit?

Since the visit is essentially about admiring the façade, daylight hours with good light work best — morning or afternoon sun brings out the texture of the brickwork and the glaze on the tower's ceramic roof. Valls is also known for its castells (human tower) tradition and other local festivities, so it's worth checking the town's event calendar before planning a trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Casa de les Punxes in Valls the same building as the famous Casa de les Punxes in Barcelona? No. These are two separate buildings that share the same Catalan name, referring to their pointed towers. The Barcelona one is the well-known Casa Terradas by Josep Puig i Cadafalch, in the Eixample district; the Valls building is a much smaller, local residence also known as Torre Galimany.

Can you go inside the building? No, the house is abandoned and closed to the public on the inside. Visits are limited to viewing the façade from outside.

Where does the name "Punxes" come from? From the distinctive conical, glazed ceramic roof crowning one of its towers — "punxa" is Catalan for "spike" or "point."

Why is the building abandoned? After years as factory offices for a refractory-materials company, the house lost its industrial role once the surrounding factory buildings were torn down, and it has been deteriorating ever since, despite its protected heritage status.