Contrast Tower
The hamlet of Contrast dates back to around the mid-13th century, although the tower itself is probably older. It is located at the bottom of a small valley that constitutes one of the passes from the Òdena basin to Conca de Barberà and the Segarra area.
The cylindrical tower is 20 metres tall, with a seven-metre diameter. It comprises three levels separated by domed stone vaults. The semi-circular door is located on the middle level and is surrounded by loopholes. The tower probably had other adjacent spaces. The 10th-century Romanesque church of Sant Mur is located very close by. Today, the Cal Cortès building is attached to the tower.
The tower was originally owned by the abbey of Sant Pere dels Arquells but in the 14th century ownership was transferred to the abbey of Santa Maria de Montserrat. Its castellans were the Jorba and Rocabertí families.
The tower was built for defence purposes but also served as an administration centre for the surrounding area, known as a quadra civil; that is, a district with a certain amount of autonomy within the jurisdiction of another castle.
