The 11th-century defensive tower turned municipal museum

The Balldovina Tower stands as a testament to endurance and transformation. Its journey began in the 11th century as a defensive structure. By the 14th century, it adapted to the needs of the land as an agricultural building. It eventually transitioned into the domestic sphere during the 18th century as a large house. Later, it served as a summer residence for the family of writer Josep Maria de Sagarra.

A new chapter began in 1972 when the town council purchased the site. This acquisition turned the building into a repository for collective memory. Since 1987, it has functioned as the municipal museum and the historic archive. Now a protected site of cultural interest, the building remains dedicated to preserving the region’s shifting history.

We invite you to explore a collection that reaches deep into the past. You can examine Iberian archaeological materials from the Puig Castellar and Can Calvet settlements. The museum also houses medieval items from the 14th-century En Ribé flour mill, a significant natural history collection, and artifacts documenting rural Santa Coloma.

The museum is currently open to the public as part of the Barcelona Provincial Council Local Museum Network. It serves as a steady point of reference for local heritage. We encourage you to step inside and uncover the layers of time contained within these walls.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons