The Viladecans Red Tower (cat. Torre Roja de Viladecans) is a medieval fortification located in Viladecans (province of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain) and was originally called Torre Burgesa, because it was here Quadra Burgesa to be controlled.
During the medieval and modern times, the Quadra Burgesa was one of the two territorial jurisdictional units into which the territory of Viladecans was divided. It was delimited by the Sales canal, on the border with Sant Boi, and by the Sant Climent stream, and its center was the Torre-Roja. It depended on the Burgès family throughout the Middle Ages, and passed into the hands of several noble owners during the modern era and until the abolition of the lordly regime in the early 19th century. Throughout the 18th century and until its administrative unification (in the middle of the 19th century), the mayors of the Quadra Burgesa were dependent on that of Viladecans.
It owes its name to the red color of the rocks in the territory of Eramprunyà, from which it is built. This fortification performed a double function: guard and defensive.
Four-storey fortified square tower of the 13th century. The main door consists of arched and stone arches. The side annexes date back to the early 19th century and were designed by the architect Francesc de Paula Nebot on behalf of Mercè Pratsmarsó, the owner of the building at the time.
The building was thoroughly renovated in the first quarter of the 20th century. In the late 1970s, it was used as a public school on a temporary basis, while Dr. Trueta’s public school was being built nearby. It also served as the headquarters for the national police.
The building was last renovated in the 80s. Currently, it houses the headquarters of the territorial planning and development district of the city of Viladecans.
Located 20 minutes by car from the center of Barcelona.
GPS coordinates: 41 ° 19 ′ 13 ″ N, 2 ° 01 ′ 20 ″ E
