Torre de Can Llopart

Torre de Can Llopart is a medieval watchtower in the municipality of Subirats, set in the heart of the Alt Penedès wine country in Catalonia. It stands on a small hill in the Casots area, near the old farmhouse of Can Llopart de la Costa, between the former castles of Subirats and Olèrdola. The tower has a circular floor plan and is listed as a local cultural heritage asset (BCIL).

What will you see?

The tower functioned as a lookout and signalling point linked to Subirats Castle, whose existence is documented as far back as the year 917. Its exact age is debated among historians — some architectural features point to a 10th-century origin, while others suggest a later date in the 12th or 13th century. Whatever its precise age, the structure is a good example of the simple, defensive rural architecture typical of the medieval Penedès borderland.

Torre de Can Llopart never stood in isolation — it was part of a network of towers and observation points linking the castles of Gelida, Olèrdola and Subirats, together forming a defensive and communication line between the Penedès depression and the Baix Anoia basin. From this strategic position, visual signals could be passed between the region's defensive points. The tower itself was inhabited until relatively modern times, which shows in its solid but weathered silhouette, still well preserved given its age.

The surrounding landscape is classic Alt Penedès: gentle hills covered in vineyards that produce the region's famous cava and still wines. A visit to the tower is therefore both a history lesson and a chance to take in the agricultural scenery that has shaped Subirats' identity for centuries.

How do you get there?

Subirats sits in the central part of Alt Penedès, close to larger towns in the region such as Sant Sadurní d'Anoia, Catalonia's cava capital. The tower is best reached by car along local rural roads leading to the Casots area, followed by a short walk, since the structure stands on a hilltop away from main routes. It's worth planning the visit alongside the nearby Subirats Castle and the surrounding wineries, both natural additions to a day exploring this historic corner of Catalonia.

When should you visit?

Alt Penedès is best explored in spring and autumn, when temperatures are mild and the vineyards look particularly striking — lush green in spring, and rich with harvest colours in autumn. Summers can get hot, making longer walks across the open terrain around the tower less comfortable, while winter brings a quieter, less crowded landscape that suits visitors looking for history away from the crowds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you go inside Torre de Can Llopart? The tower stands on farmland that is either private or difficult to access, so visits are generally limited to viewing it from the outside.

How old is the tower? Historians disagree — some architectural features point to the 10th century, while others suggest the 12th or 13th century, making it one of the region's harder-to-date defensive structures.

Are there other historic sites nearby? Yes, the tower sits near the former Subirats Castle and along the route of an old defensive line connecting the castles of Gelida and Olèrdola, making it easy to combine into one themed itinerary.

Is the area good for cycling? The gentle hills and rural roads of Alt Penedès are popular with cyclists, though reaching the tower itself requires a short final stretch on foot.