Former Sabaté Clinic

While strolling through Plaza d'Alfons XII, in the heart of Tortosa city centre, it is almost impossible not to notice the Former Sabaté Clinic. Among the buildings surrounding the square, its striking façade immediately stands out, transporting visitors to the world of ancient Egypt through a unique and unexpected architectural style.

Built in 1914 by master builder Josep Maria Vaquer, the building was commissioned by the Sabaté doctors to house their private clinic. It served as a medical facility for many years and was later occupied by Clínica Tortosa S.A., which explains why it is still widely known today as the Former Sabaté Clinic.

The building's greatest attraction is its façade, considered one of the most distinctive examples of Historicist architecture in Tortosa. Its decoration draws inspiration from Neo-Egyptian art, a style rarely found in Catalonia, making this building a truly unique landmark within the city's architectural heritage.

Simply looking up reveals a wealth of fascinating details that reward careful observation. The main entrance is guarded by two impressive winged stone sphinxes, undoubtedly the building's most recognisable feature. Together with the columns crowned by lotus capitals, they evoke the architecture of ancient Egypt and give the façade its unmistakable character.

As you continue exploring the exterior, even more decorative elements come into view. On the chamfered corner, two sculpted elephant heads support the corner balcony, while the decorative ironwork, finely crafted woodwork and ornamental reliefs enrich the façade with a remarkable collection of Oriental-inspired motifs.

The building has undergone several alterations over the years. The present top floor is a later addition that replaced the original roofline, and the corner bay window included in the original architectural plans was never built. Despite these changes, the façade has retained the elements that have made it one of Tortosa's most distinctive buildings for more than a century.

Today, the Former Sabaté Clinic is one of the most original buildings to discover while exploring Tortosa's historic expansion district. Its unusual Neo-Egyptian style, rarely seen elsewhere in Catalonia, makes it a rewarding stop for architecture enthusiasts and for anyone wishing to uncover some of the city's most surprising architectural treasures.