Torre d'en Vallès

Torre d'en Vallès is a 19th-century defensive tower standing in the upper part of Vilanova i la Geltrú, a coastal town in the Garraf district of Barcelona province. Built in 1839 during the First Carlist War, it survives today only as a partial ruin, yet it still draws the attention of visitors looking for lesser-known traces of Catalonia's history.

Where is the tower located?

Torre d'en Vallès stands at the junction of Avinguda de la Torre d'en Vallès and Avinguda dels Sis Camins, in an area formerly known as Collada and Sis Camins, on the highest point of what was once the land of mas Joliu. The site sits at roughly 75 metres above sea level, which at the time of construction gave a clear view over the surrounding land and the roads leading into town. Today it's an urban setting, easily reached on foot or by car from the centre of Vilanova i la Geltrú, with parking nearby.

Why was it built?

The tower was raised in 1839, in the sixth year of the First Carlist War, a conflict that shook Spain through the 1830s and reached the area around Barcelona and Garraf as well. Small fortifications like this one were built in several towns across the region at the time, meant to protect residents from Carlist troops moving through the area. Local accounts of Torre d'en Vallès mention an armed clash between townspeople and Carlist forces near the tower, suggesting it served a genuine defensive role rather than acting merely as a lookout point.

What does it look like today?

The structure has a distinctive truncated cone shape — a semicircular body resting on a wider cylindrical base. The walls are built of small, irregular stone blocks, typical of the improvised fortifications thrown up quickly during the Carlist conflicts. A number of loopholes are still visible at ground-floor level, while others on the upper floor have been damaged over time. Roughly half of the original structure survives today; the rest has been lost to decay and long neglect. Even so, the tower remains visible to visitors and stands out as a recognizable landmark in this part of town.

Is it a protected heritage site?

Yes. Torre d'en Vallès is listed as a Bé Cultural d'Interès Local (BCIL) — a local asset of cultural interest — in Catalonia's heritage register. That status protects the remains of the tower from further loss due to development, although the structure itself has long stood in ruins without restoration work.

Who should visit?

Torre d'en Vallès isn't a grand castle or fortress — it's a modest, partly collapsed military tower. Still, it's worth a look for anyone interested in the history of the Carlist Wars in Catalonia, or for visitors to Vilanova i la Geltrú who want to step beyond the beach and harbour to see a lesser-known piece of local history. A walk up to this part of town can easily be combined with a visit to some of Vilanova's other heritage sites, including nearby defensive towers and fortifications from different periods.

Frequently asked questions

When was Torre d'en Vallès built? The tower was built in 1839, during the First Carlist War.

What was the tower used for? It was a small defensive fortification, built to protect the residents of Vilanova i la Geltrú from Carlist troops; local accounts mention an armed clash that took place nearby.

Where exactly is the tower located? At the junction of Avinguda de la Torre d'en Vallès and Avinguda dels Sis Camins, in the upper part of Vilanova i la Geltrú, at an elevation of about 75 metres.

Is the tower in good condition today? No — roughly half of the original structure survives, and it stands in ruins, though its loopholes and characteristic conical shape are still visible.

Is Torre d'en Vallès a protected heritage site? Yes, it holds the status of Bé Cultural d'Interès Local (BCIL) in Catalonia's cultural heritage register.