Torre Blava – Espai Guinovart

The tower of Ribes Roges was built in the last third of the 19th century as a defensive element to protect the quarter of Baix-a-mar (Maritime Quarter) from potential attack, by sea or by land, of troops of Carlists or bandits, and is the only survivor of the three that were on the coastline. The tower has had various uses over the 20th century. It had been from a café-restaurant to a tourist information office. In the year 2000 Josep Guinovart transformed the old watchtower of the promenade into an art tribute site to seafarers and to the sea itself. 

 The tower, of circular structure, consists of three floors and the roof. Each of them is decorated with elements related to the marine world. On the first floor Guinovart makes a reinterpretation of the legends of pirates and shipwrecks, which are set in the county of Garraf and its cliffs, and other facts that have been preserved to this day thanks to the popular memory. The second floor is presided by a rope-structure from which hangs a set of fishing knots, symbol of the exertion and hard work of fishermen and sailors. The third floor is dedicated to some of the artists who have had as inspiration the sea. Names of universal painters, musicians and writers as Dalí, Matisse and Picasso mingle with the names of local artists linked to the city as Manuel de Cabanyes and Armand Cardona. A spiral staircase leads to the roof. Guinovart invites visitors to enjoy the sea, the promenade and the lighthouse of Vilanova. A vessel-shaped weathervane with engravings of the sea constellations crowns the Torre Blava.

Josep Guinovart (Barcelona, 1927 - 2007) studied art at various institutions in Barcelona and Paris. He is considered one of the best examples of Informalism art. It is notable the variety of its artistic production: painting, drawing, mural works, book illustrations, theatre designs, sculpture... which is found in the most important museums of the world.