Sant Pere de Ribes town hall

Sant Pere de Ribes town hall (known locally as Casa de la Vila) is the historic seat of local government in Sant Pere de Ribes, a town in the Garraf region of Catalonia, a short distance inland from the coastal resort of Sitges. The building stands on Plaça de la Vila and remains one of the most recognizable landmarks in the town's old center.

How do you get there?

Sant Pere de Ribes sits right next to Sitges, roughly half an hour from Barcelona and El Prat airport. The easiest way in is by car via the C-32 motorway, or by local bus from Sitges and Vilanova i la Geltrú; Sitges also has a train station with regular services from Barcelona. Once in town, the hall is easy to find in the historic center, right on Plaça de la Vila, within walking distance of the old quarter's main streets.

What will you see?

The building sits within a row of terraced houses, sharing party walls with its neighbors, and rises to a ground floor plus two upper stories. Its façade splits into two distinct sections: a wider one with a symmetrical arrangement of windows, and a narrower one set back to the right, topped by a clock tower with a small bell turret. That clock tower is the building's most distinctive feature and doubles as a landmark for orienting yourself on the square.

Why does a town hall look like an old hospice?

The building wasn't originally built as a town hall. It went up in the late 18th century as a charitable hospice, caring for residents in need. By the mid-19th century, the town council had moved its offices into the same building, and schools were later added under the same roof. Growing administrative and educational needs soon strained the available space — by 1885, town officials were already discussing whether to extend or rebuild.

The decision came five years later: on 12 July 1890, the council commissioned architect Bonaventura Pollés i Vivó to assess the building and determine whether it could be adapted. His report was favorable, and on 17 July 1890 the council agreed to move ahead immediately with restoration work under his direction. That renovation gave the façade its current appearance, including the clock tower that still defines it today.

Worth knowing: modern Sant Pere de Ribes actually has two official council buildings. The historic Casa de la Vila on Plaça de la Vila remains the ceremonial, heritage face of the town, while a second, more modern administrative building has operated since 2004 on Plaça de la Vinya d'en Petaca in Les Roquetes — a neighborhood that grew large enough in recent decades to need its own service point for residents.

When should you visit?

The square in front of the town hall and the surrounding old center are most pleasant in spring and autumn, when temperatures are mild and the area hasn't yet filled with the summer crowds typical of nearby Sitges. In summer, the town comes alive with local festivals and patron saint celebrations, adding extra color to a visit at the cost of busier streets. Winter, thanks to the region's mild climate, is also a comfortable time for a walk through the old town.

Frequently asked questions

Has this building always served as the town hall? No — it was built in the late 18th century as a charitable hospice. It only became the seat of local government in the mid-19th century, when the council moved its offices into the building.

What's the building's most distinctive feature? A clock tower topped by a small bell turret, set into the narrower, right-hand section of the façade.

Who gave the building its current appearance? Architect Bonaventura Pollés i Vivó, commissioned by the town council in 1890 to assess the building and lead its restoration.

Is there only one council building in Sant Pere de Ribes? No — alongside the historic Casa de la Vila, a second administrative building has served the Les Roquetes neighborhood since 2004, reflecting the growth of that part of town.