Plaça Sant Joan

Plaça Sant Joan is the central square of Cardedeu, a small town in the Vallès Oriental district, about 35 km north of Barcelona. It functions as the town's administrative and cultural core, just a short walk from the train station.

What will you see there?

The square is rectangular, combining a landscaped green area with a children's playground on one side and a small parking strip with a garden patch facing the town hall on the other. A one-way street loops around the whole space, so walking its full perimeter takes only a few minutes.

The most prominent building facing the square is Torre Lligé, an imposing tower that now houses Cardedeu's town hall (Ajuntament de Cardedeu). Directly across sits Casa Daurella, home today to the municipal library and the Tomàs Balvey Museum-Archive, dedicated to local history. A third notable building, Casa Lluís Llibre, adds another example of early 20th-century architecture built or renovated around the same time as the square itself.

What is the history behind it?

The square was laid out in 1915. On 14 March that year, municipal architect Raspall presented the town council with a design for the new public space, and part of the funding came from donations collected among local residents. A symbolic milestone came on 19 April 1915, when a bishop's visit was marked by a ceremony launching the demolition of the old Torre Lledó tower that previously stood on the site. Stone from that demolished tower was reused to build the edging of the new square — a literal link between the old landmark and the space that replaced it.

Because of this history and its surrounding architecture, the square is listed in Catalonia's Inventory of Architectural Heritage (IPAC number 28613), along with the buildings around it.

How do you get to Plaça Sant Joan?

Cardedeu sits on the R2 Nord commuter rail line (Rodalies), which connects Barcelona with Maçanet-Massanes — the ride from central Barcelona takes roughly 40–45 minutes. From Cardedeu station, it's under a 10-minute walk through the historic town center to reach the square. Drivers will find a small parking area right by the square, though the surrounding streets run one-way only.

When should you visit?

The square is used year-round as an everyday gathering spot for locals, but it's worth timing a visit around Cardedeu's cultural calendar — the town regularly hosts open-air events here, including the recurring "Vivim la Plaça Sant Joan" initiative, which fills the space with concerts and neighborhood gatherings. Spring and early autumn are the most pleasant seasons, avoiding the peak heat of a Catalan summer while the square's greenery is at its best.

Frequently asked questions

Is Plaça Sant Joan a square or a park? It's a town square with green touches — a lawn, a small garden patch, and a playground — rather than a full park. You can walk its entire perimeter in a few minutes.

What else is worth seeing besides the square itself? The town hall inside Torre Lligé, the library and Tomàs Balvey Museum-Archive in Casa Daurella, and the historic Casa Lluís Llibre building — all visible from the square.

Is there an entry fee? No, it's an open public space, accessible at any time of day.

How long should you plan for a visit? The square alone takes 15–20 minutes to see, but pair it with the museum and library and you can easily spend an hour or two.