Jardins del Príncep

Jardins del Príncep is a garden and open-air sculpture museum set at the foot of the Castell de la Suda in Tortosa, in Catalonia's Terres de l'Ebre region. It packs greenery, history, and contemporary art into one compact corner of the city.

Where is it and how do you get there?

The gardens sit on the northeast slope of the castle hill, in the Remolins i Sant Jaume neighborhood, right below the walls of Castell de la Suda. A 14th-century medieval city wall borders the site on its eastern edge. The easiest way in is on foot from Tortosa's old town — the steep streets leading up toward the castle take only about fifteen minutes to climb. The gardens make a natural stopping point for anyone heading up to the castle hill, letting you combine a look at the fortifications with a rest in the shade.

What's the history behind this place?

Before it was a garden, the site housed a 19th-century spa known as the Balneari d'en Porcar. In 1883 its owners, Porcar and Tió, expanded and modernized the baths after an analysis of the local waters revealed valuable medicinal properties. The spa operated until the 1920s. Later, between 1942 and 1970, the grounds were occupied by Salesian nuns, until the Tortosa municipal government acquired the property in 1970.

The turning point came in 1989, when — at the proposal of the Fundació Josep Celma Prieto — the city decided to convert the old spa gardens into an open-air sculpture museum. The official inauguration took place in 1991, presided over by Felipe de Borbón, then Prince of Asturias — which is where the gardens get their name: Jardins del Príncep, the Prince's Gardens.

What will you see inside?

The centerpiece is a collection of sculptures by Catalan artist Santiago de Santiago, arranged in thematic groups under a title dedicated to human motivation and destiny. The compositions depict human passions, virtues, and flaws in symbolic, figurative form — walking the paths feels like moving through an open-air gallery, one sculptural scene after another.

Beyond the art, the gardens hold a rich botanical collection where native Mediterranean plant life grows alongside species brought in from around the world. It's also worth tracking down traces of the old spa infrastructure, including a spring known as the Manantial de la Esperanza, a stretch of the 14th-century city wall, and the Torre del Célio, a remnant of the hill's defensive past.

When should you visit and what should you keep in mind?

The gardens are best visited during the warmer months, when the greenery is at its fullest, though the shade of the trees makes the spot pleasant even in the heat of a Tortosa summer. Admission is free on the last Sunday of each month, a good option for travelers planning their visit around costs. Set aside at least an hour to work through the sculpture groups at a relaxed pace and rest among the greenery before or after climbing up to the castle.

Frequently asked questions

What are the Jardins del Príncep? They are a municipal garden and open-air sculpture museum at the foot of Castell de la Suda in Tortosa, displaying works by sculptor Santiago de Santiago.

Where does the gardens' name come from? The gardens were officially opened in 1991 in a ceremony led by Felipe de Borbón, then Prince of Asturias — the event that gave the site its name, "Jardins del Príncep" (Gardens of the Prince).

What stood on this site before the gardens? A 19th-century spa, the Balneari d'en Porcar, operated here using waters valued for their medicinal properties; by the mid-20th century the grounds were occupied by a community of Salesian nuns.

Is entry to the gardens free? Entry is generally paid, but admission is free on the last Sunday of every month.