Porqueres town hall

Porqueres Town Hall sits in the small municipality of Porqueres, in the Pla de l'Estany region of Catalonia, right beside Lake Banyoles. Unlike most modern civic buildings, this town hall grew out of an old Catalan farmhouse, making it a distinctive example of rural heritage architecture repurposed for public use.

What will you see?

The building is essentially two rectangular volumes stacked on top of each other, with the main entrance tucked into the corner — a layout typical of masies (traditional Catalan farmhouses) that were expanded over several generations. The older section traces back to a medieval farmstead with a two-bay structure, later enlarged with an additional wing.

The load-bearing walls are built from well-cut ashlar stone, laid with particular care at the corners and around window and door openings. The roof is covered in Arab-style tiles at varying pitches, a visible reminder of the different construction phases the building went through over time. Most openings retain stone or timber lintels, underlining the rustic, agricultural origins of the structure.

The most recognizable feature today is the main entrance itself: an arched opening set into the south-facing façade, flanked by a small porch beneath a lowered arch that creates a sheltered transition before stepping inside. Architect Jordi Masgrau led the restoration that converted the old farmhouse into a proper civic building, and the structure is now listed in the Inventory of Architectural Heritage of Catalonia as a notable case of rural-to-institutional adaptive reuse.

How to get there?

Porqueres sits right next to the town of Banyoles, sharing the shoreline of the lake that gives the town its name — one of the largest natural lakes in Catalonia. Driving is the easiest option: about 20–25 minutes from Girona, or roughly an hour and fifteen minutes from Barcelona via the AP-7 motorway followed by local roads. Regional buses also connect Girona with Banyoles, from where Porqueres is an easy walk or short local ride, since the lake sits almost between the two towns.

When to visit?

The Pla de l'Estany region has a Mediterranean climate with clearly defined seasons. Spring (April–June) and early autumn (September–October) offer the most comfortable temperatures for sightseeing, and the shores of Lake Banyoles are ideal for walking or cycling during these months. Summer can get hot and busy around the lake, but it's also the easiest time to combine a stop at the town hall with swimming or kayaking. Winter sees far fewer visitors, which suits travelers looking for a quieter, more local atmosphere.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside Porqueres Town Hall? The building functions as a working municipal office, so interior access is limited to administrative business during opening hours. The exterior — façade, entrance arch, and porch — can be admired from the street at any time.

What makes this town hall unusual? It was converted from an old masia, a traditional Catalan farmhouse, rather than purpose-built as an administrative structure. That history explains the two-volume layout and the corner entrance, both unusual for civic buildings.

What else is nearby worth seeing? Lake Banyoles and its lakeside promenade are just a few minutes' walk away, and the town of Banyoles itself has an old quarter, a market, and plenty of places to eat.

Are there other historic sites in Porqueres? The municipality is also known for its Romanesque church, one of several such churches scattered across the Pla de l'Estany region — an easy addition to a visit to the town hall.