Torre del Lluvià

Torre del Lluvià is a Modernista country house standing at the heart of the Anella Verda (Green Ring) around Manresa, a Catalan city in Barcelona province. Also known as Villa Emilia, the building now works as a free visitor centre for the city's green belt and is one of the more distinctive stops along the Riera de Rajadell trail.

Where does the tower come from?

The house was designed in 1896 by architect Ignasi Oms i Ponsa. It was conceived as a stately rural residence surrounded by cultivated land and woods — a summer retreat for a well-off family, close enough to Manresa for an easy trip out, yet far enough to feel like the countryside.

For much of the first half of the 20th century the estate combined farming with leisure use: fields were worked around it while the house itself served as a place to relax away from the city. Over time it fell into disuse and disrepair. Manresa's town council bought it from private owners in early 2012, by which point it was in ruins. Restoration works carried out in 2014 and 2015 gave the building a second life as a tourist attraction and interpretation centre for the Anella Verda de Manresa.

What will you actually see?

The building sits on a square floor plan made up of three sections. The central block rises three storeys and is topped with an octagonal tower, which gives the whole structure its distinctive silhouette — visible from a distance and the reason locals simply call it "the tower." Two lower, two-storey wings flank the central body, balancing out the taller centrepiece. Details on the façade reflect the historicist strand of Catalan Modernisme popular at the time, blending decorative flourishes with the straightforward, functional layout of a working country house.

Inside, there's a permanent exhibition dedicated to the Anella Verda — the network of green trails and open spaces that rings Manresa, linking the Cardener river valley with the surrounding hills and farmland. It's a natural place to plan the rest of a walking or cycling route through the area.

How do you get there, and when should you go?

Torre del Lluvià sits right on the Riera de Rajadell route, one of the most popular stretches of Manresa's green ring, easily reached on foot or by bike from the city centre. It pairs naturally with a longer walk through the surrounding green spaces, so it's worth setting aside more than just a quick stop.

The site is open on Sundays and public holidays, when free guided visits run, typically starting at 11 a.m. It makes for a good family morning out combined with a walk — touring the building itself doesn't take long, but paired with a stretch of the Anella Verda trail you can easily spend a few relaxed hours here.

Frequently asked questions

Is admission free? Yes, guided visits to Torre del Lluvià are free of charge.

When can you visit the tower? On Sundays and public holidays, usually with a guided visit starting around 11 a.m.

Who designed the building? Architect Ignasi Oms i Ponsa, in 1896.

Is this a defensive tower? No — it's a Modernista country residence with a decorative octagonal tower at its centre, not a military structure. The "tower" name simply refers to that distinctive architectural feature.