Torre de Pinós

Torre de Pinós is a medieval watchtower in Granollers, a town in the Vallès Oriental region of Catalonia. Small in scale but significant in purpose, it once served as a lookout point controlling the roads leading into town, and today it stands as one of the local symbols of the area's architectural heritage.

Where does the tower stand?

Torre de Pinós rises on a hillock roughly 200–224 meters above sea level, on the northeastern edge of Granollers, close to the boundary with the neighboring settlement of Corró d'Avall. The location was no accident: from this elevated point, watchmen could observe nearly every road converging on the town — the route east toward Cardedeu and Girona, southeast toward La Roca and Mataró, south along the old royal road to Barcelona, west toward Caldes, and north toward Vic. That vantage made the tower a key link in a chain of observation and communication between the settlements of the surrounding countryside.

What does it look like, and where did it come from?

The structure is a cylindrical tower with a circular floor plan, 5.60 meters in diameter and 9.60 meters tall, with walls between 60 and 80 centimeters thick that taper slightly toward the top. Its plain, solid form is typical of watch structures built for defense and signaling rather than habitation.

The tower's exact origin remains uncertain. The earliest documented mention dates only to 1752, when it was being used as a dovecote. Some researchers connect its construction to the rebuilding of the town walls in the 16th century, though materials recovered during excavations point more toward the 17th century. Many local sources, however, trace its origins back to the 14th century, which would make it one of the older surviving features of Granollers' historic landscape. Whatever the precise date, its function — scanning the surrounding terrain and relaying signals — remained constant across the centuries.

Why is it worth seeing?

Torre de Pinós is more than a relic of a bygone defensive network; it's a vantage point that lets visitors picture how movement and trade once worked across Vallès Oriental long before modern roads existed. The tower was declared a Cultural Asset of National Interest (Bé Cultural d'Interès Nacional) on 25 June 1985, and since 2003 it has been included in Granollers' Special Plan for the Protection of Architectural and Archaeological Heritage. It was under this framework that the town undertook restoration work aimed at preserving the tower's original masonry.

The site has also been woven into the town's cultural life — Granollers has incorporated the tower into one of its historic walking routes, making it a natural stop for visitors exploring the area on foot or by bike.

What should visitors know before going?

Granollers sits at the heart of Vallès Oriental, less than half an hour from Barcelona, which makes it an easy day trip from the Catalan capital or a convenient stop when exploring nearby towns. Thanks to its elevated position, the area around the tower offers wide views over the Vallès plain and the surrounding hills — worth having a camera ready, since the same sightlines once let watchmen spot travelers approaching from any direction.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was Torre de Pinós used for? It was a medieval watchtower built on high ground near Granollers to observe the surrounding roads and relay signals between nearby settlements.

When was the tower built? Its exact date is unknown — there is no documentation before 1752 — but many sources trace its origins to the 14th century, with possible rebuilding in the 16th or 17th century.

How big is the tower? It is a cylindrical structure 5.60 meters in diameter and 9.60 meters tall, with walls 60 to 80 centimeters thick.

Is Torre de Pinós a protected heritage site? Yes — it has been a Cultural Asset of National Interest since 25 June 1985, and since 2003 it has been part of Granollers' Special Plan for the Protection of Architectural and Archaeological Heritage.