Torre Amat

Torre Amat is a grand early-20th-century residence in Cardedeu, standing as one of the most representative examples of Noucentisme-era summer architecture in this part of Catalonia.

Where is Torre Amat and who built it?

The building sits at Avinguda Rei en Jaume 140, right by Plaça Amat, in the heart of Cardedeu, in the Vallès Oriental region. Its story begins in November 1914, when the town council approved the construction project. The person behind it was Joan Amat Sormaní, a member of one of Barcelona's most prominent bourgeois families, who had served as mayor of Barcelona in 1901 and 1902. A month before construction was approved, on 24 January 1914, Cardedeu named him an honorary citizen — a sign of how closely the Amat family was tied to the town.

Why did Cardedeu become known for houses like this?

Between 1910 and 1920, Cardedeu went through its most intense building boom, concentrated along the road to Caldes. This was the period when the town shifted from an agricultural settlement into a favored summer retreat for wealthy Barcelona families escaping the city heat. Torre Amat, alongside other residences from the same years, captures that transformation directly — today it is considered the most representative work of the monumental style found among Cardedeu's bourgeois summer towers.

Who designed the building and what style does it follow?

The design is the work of Ramon Puig i Gairalt, a young architect fresh out of his studies, whose classicizing touch shows clearly in the building's proportions and detailing. Torre Amat belongs to the Noucentisme movement, but with a distinct Viennese inflection — a result of the architect's trip to Vienna, which shaped his approach to form and ornament. The outcome is a building marked by rich volumetric composition, French-style roofs, and carefully worked decorative elements on the façade.

What does the architecture of Torre Amat look like?

The residence was conceived as a freestanding house set within a garden, following the garden-city ideal popular among summer homes of the period. The layout includes a basement, ground floor, and upper floor, capped by a four-sided roof. Its most distinctive feature is a square lookout tower that houses the staircase connecting the different levels — a solution that merges circulation with architectural statement. The materials reinforce the sense of solidity: the ground floor and side walls are built from large stone blocks, while the rest of the building is finished in stucco.

What protection status does Torre Amat have, and how is it used today?

The building is listed as a Cultural Asset of Local Interest (Bé Cultural d'Interès Local), which protects it as part of Cardedeu's architectural heritage. Today, Torre Amat operates as an events venue, pairing its historic character with a new social and cultural role.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who built Torre Amat and when? Construction was approved in November 1914 for Joan Amat Sormaní, with the design by architect Ramon Puig i Gairalt. The work falls within Cardedeu's intense building period between 1910 and 1920.

What architectural style does the building follow? Torre Amat is a Noucentisme building with Viennese influences, visible in its volumetric composition, French-style roofs, and façade decoration — a direct result of the architect's trip to Vienna.

Where exactly is Torre Amat located? The building stands at Avinguda Rei en Jaume 140, by Plaça Amat, in the center of Cardedeu, in the Vallès Oriental region.

Can Torre Amat be visited or booked for an event? The building currently operates as an events venue, which gives visitors a chance to see its interiors and architecture up close during hosted occasions.