The Vila-seca Castle is one of the municipality’s most interesting landmarks. Declared a Cultural Asset of National Interest, the castle is located to the north of the town, quite near to the Celler de Vila-seca (Winery), and its svelte silhouette protrudes from the surrounding lush pine groves.
The structure has undergone a handful of modifications over the course of the years, due to changes in owners, giving the building a neo-mediaeval appearance. The base is rectangular with a ground floor and two storeys above. It has generous windows on the ‘noble floor’ (the mezzanine floor, with higher ceilings), along with balconies that extend from the angular tower. Torre dels Olzina (Olzina’s Tower)—which some historians claim may be from the Roman period—is the oldest construction of the present-day castle (twelfth century). This tower with its quadrangular base has an inside perimeter of 5.10 x 4.25m and its outer walls, constructed with large ashlars—or finely cut and dressed stones—are nearly two metres thick.
Vila-seca Town Council acquired the Castell dels Comtes de Sicart in 2005 and renovated it in different phases. The Castell is now an exhibition space for contemporary art, as a result of a collaboration agreement between the Fundació Vila Casas and the Ajuntament de Vila-seca.
The castle is one of the features included on the route to get to know the historic centre via the heritage monuments with a QR code.
From 15 June to 15 September (Summer opening hours)
- Open: Tuesday to Sunday and bank holidays: 10 am to 2 pm and 6 pm to 9 pm.
- Guided tours: Wednesdays and Saturdays at 6 p.m. (Spanish) and at 7:30 p.m. (Catalan)
Sundays at 11 a.m. (Spanish) and at 12:30 p.m. (Catalan) - Mondays closed.
Bank holidays open: 24 June, 3 and 15 August, 11 September.
From 16 September to 14 June (Winter opening hours)
- Open: Tuesday to Sunday and bank holidays: 10 am – 2 pm / Saturdays 10 am to 2 pm and 5 pm to 8 pm.
- Guided tours: Saturdays at 12 pm (Spanish) and Sundays at 12 pm (Catalan).
- Mondays closed.
Bank holidays open: 17 January, 28 and 29 March, 1 April, 1 May, 12 October, 1 November, 6 and 8 December.
