xemeneies de Can Pàmies

The Xemeneies de Can Pàmies are two industrial chimneys standing in Sant Celoni, in the Baix Montseny area of Catalonia, not far from Barcelona. They are among the few visible traces left of the town's manufacturing past and now serve as a small local landmark.

Where did these chimneys come from?

The chimneys once belonged to the Can Pàmies industrial complex, a manufacturing site that operated in what is now Sant Celoni. After the original activity ceased, the grounds sat derelict for years, and the two chimneys — the last tangible remains of the works — were listed in the town's catalogue of historic, artistic and architectural heritage. That protected status is what saved them from demolition once redevelopment of the area got underway.

How was the site redeveloped?

In early 2007, the regional government approved an urbanization plan for the Can Pàmies grounds, clearing the way for the area's transformation into a modern business and light-industrial zone. Restoration work on one of the two chimneys began that same May, aimed at preserving a piece of the site's history within the new layout. A year later, in June 2008, a construction firm began building six commercial units and industrial sheds on the plot, in a project valued at 8.5 million euros — a sign of how seriously the town approached rehabilitating this corner of Sant Celoni.

What is there today?

Can Pàmies now operates as a small business park, home to companies from several sectors — including a transport and ambulance service and health-related laboratories. The chimneys no longer stand on an abandoned industrial lot; instead they rise above a landscaped public square known as the Plaça de les Xemeneies de Can Pàmies. It's here that locals and visitors can pause, read about the site's history, and photograph the two tall brick structures. In recent years the town has also fitted solar panels on the roof of one of the public buildings in the area, part of a wider municipal push toward cleaner energy.

Why is it worth a stop for visitors?

The chimneys of Can Pàmies aren't a destination in themselves, but they make a good brief stop on the way to something bigger. This is one of the starting points for a popular walking route heading toward Can Draper through the Vall d'Olzinelles, one of the most scenic valleys in the Baix Montseny. Anyone planning a hike in the surrounding hills can use the square as a natural starting point and a convenient place to park before setting off.

How do you get there?

The Plaça de les Xemeneies de Can Pàmies sits within the town of Sant Celoni, along the main route linking Barcelona and Girona through inland Catalonia. Driving from Barcelona usually takes around forty minutes, and Sant Celoni is also served by train, with the chimneys within a short walk of the station.

Frequently asked questions

What are the Xemeneies de Can Pàmies? They are two surviving industrial chimneys from the former Can Pàmies works in Sant Celoni, listed on the town's local heritage catalogue.

When were the chimneys restored? Restoration of one of the two chimneys began in May 2007, as part of a broader urbanization plan for the site approved a few months earlier.

What stands on the old factory site now? The former industrial grounds were redeveloped into a small business park with commercial units and sheds built in 2008, with the chimneys preserved in a landscaped public square.

Can you start a hike from here? Yes — the square is one of the starting points for a walking route through the Vall d'Olzinelles toward Can Draper.