Introduction

The Port Tower is one of the best-known buildings in Cambrils. Since tourism first came to the town, it has been part of the image of the resort.

Originally built by the townspeople in the 17th century, it passed into private hands in 1894. Almost a century later, in 1993, the Town Council acquired it. Since 1995 the Council has carried out renovation work with the support of the Tarragona Provincial Government, the Autonomous Government of Catalonia and the European Union.

The building

Also known as the "Torre de los Moros" (Tower of the Moors), it is a circular tower. The first floor has a vault in which the original entrance to the building is preserved. This is defended by a machicolation constructed of ashlars. The second floor was built in 1945 by the then owner. On the outside, at the foot of the tower, we can see an extension known as a "scraper", typical in this type of building.

During 1999, the lower floor of the tower was emptied of the earth with which it had been filled. Archaeologists excavating the interior were surprised to find the beginning of a vault belonging to a strong perimetric wall. These remains are part of the original vault that sustained the first floor of the tower and which had been demolished at some time in the past, leaving only the remnants of the supporting wall.

The project

The "Cambrils Museum of History" project became a reality in 1999 and the Port Tower will be able to play an important role in this cultural initiative. It's location in the most-visited part of the town makes it an ideal point for giving information about the museum network and its activities. There are also plans to convert it into a centre to help us understand the relationship, past and present, between the town and people of Cambrils and the Mediterranean coastal ecosystem.