Description
The Prince’s Gardens are a unique space where art, heritage, history and nature come together at the foot of Suda Castle. Visitors can enjoy a peaceful walk among sculptures and landscaped gardens. In addition, the site provides access to the 14th-century stretch of city wall that once enclosed the Jewish Quarter. From here, the route continues to the Célio Tower, which offers magnificent panoramic views.
Prince’s Gardens: an open-air sculpture museum
Along the route, visitors can discover twenty-three sculptural groups by artist Santiago de Santiago. The works are set among paths, trees and landscaped areas. In this way, the sculptures become part of the surroundings and accompany visitors throughout the walk.
Created in an academic style, the collection forms an itinerary entitled “Man, His Motivation and His Destiny”. The different works offer a symbolic journey through the history of humanity. The story begins with its origins and continues through to the conquest of space. Along the way, the sculptures evoke myths, major challenges and events that have shaped contemporary history.
The Struggle of Humanity
One of the highlights of the route is The Struggle of Humanity. This monumental sculptural group symbolises human effort, perseverance and destiny. Moreover, its scale and composition make it one of the most representative works in the entire collection.
Visitors can discover the sculptures from different perspectives while walking through the gardens. At the same time, the proximity of the medieval fortifications creates a particularly distinctive setting. Therefore, the route combines contemporary art with the discovery of Tortosa’s historical heritage.
From the Balneari d’en Porcar to the Prince’s Gardens
The gardens occupy part of the site of the former Balneari d’en Porcar, a historic spa complex. The establishment enjoyed a period of prosperity during the 19th century thanks to the properties attributed to its waters. In 1883, Porcar i Tió promoted its expansion and modernisation.
Later, between 1942 and 1970, the site was occupied by a community of Salesian nuns. Subsequently, Tortosa City Council acquired the property. In 1989, restoration of the former gardens began with the aim of transforming them into an open-air sculpture museum. The project was developed following a proposal by the José Celma Prieto Foundation.
Finally, the complex was inaugurated in 1991 in the presence of Felipe de Borbón, then Prince of Asturias and Girona. This event gave rise to the name Prince’s Gardens, by which the site is known today.
The medieval walls and Célio Tower
One of the major heritage attractions of the visit is the possibility of accessing the 14th-century stretch of wall that once enclosed Tortosa’s Jewish Quarter directly from the Prince’s Gardens. The route allows visitors to walk along part of Tortosa’s medieval defensive system. At the same time, it provides a better understanding of the layout of this part of the historic city.
Following the wall, visitors can reach the Célio Tower, located at the northern end of the surviving walled enclosure. The tower is accessible from this route and visitors can climb to the top. Thus, a visit to the gardens also provides an opportunity to explore one of the most interesting sections of Tortosa’s medieval fortifications.
From the Célio Tower, visitors can enjoy panoramic views over the Jewish Quarter and the Célio ravine. The viewpoint also overlooks the Avançades de Sant Joan fortifications and the rear of Suda Castle. This elevated perspective helps visitors understand how the different defensive structures relate to one another and adapt to the city’s terrain.
Overall, visiting the Prince’s Gardens offers much more than a walk through a sculpture garden. Art, vegetation, medieval walls and landscape come together in a single route. Moreover, access to the Célio Tower completes the experience with one of the most interesting panoramic viewpoints over this part of Tortosa’s historic centre.
Visitor information
General admission: €3
Reduced admission: €2
Visitors aged over 65*, large and single-parent families*, people with disabilities*, students*, Sefarad Card holders* and holders of a Privilegium card issued in Morella or Alcañiz*. Also applies to groups of 15 to 49 people (price per person).
Reduced admission: €1
Groups of 50 people or more (price per person).
Free admission
Tortosa Card holders*, tourist guides*, teachers*, ICOM members*, children under 14* and Club Super3 members*.
Last Sunday of each month: free admission.
*Relevant supporting documentation must be provided.
