VALLPARADÍS CASTLE-CHARTREUSE

This building, located on the left bank of the Vallparadís torrent, is mentioned in documents dating back to the 12th century. It was transformed into a chartreuse between the 14th and 15th centuries. Mr. Berenguer Sanlà purchased the property where he later built a stately, fortified residence. It was a walled compound of square plan, with towers at its corners and surrounded by a moat. It is now accessed by way of a stone bridge. Inside stands the central tower, also of square plan.

Blanca de Centelles was the last "lady" of Vallparadís. In 1344 she transferred all of its property to the Carthusian religious order. As a result, a monastery was established in the castle under the name of Sant Jaume de Valparadís. During this period, sweeping renovation work was carried out to adapt the building to the needs of the monks. The two-story cloister is the result of this revamp.

The castle was restored in the 1950's to adapt it to museum use, which began in 1959. It is now the headquarters of the Museum of Terrassa, housing temporary exhibitions (in the Gothic nave known as Tinellet Hall) and the permanent exhibition which shows the evolution of the territory and human civilisation in Terrassa and it county.