Making rankings with the richest is nothing modern. Lists of great fortunes have always been drawn up to the envy of some and the presumptuous pride of others. For example, at the end of the 19th century, Salvador Samà i Torrens used to appear on the podium of the wealthiest potentates in Spain, whose prosperity was based on his undeniable business sense and the wealth inherited from his great-uncle Salvador Samà i Martí, who had amassed a huge amount of money thanks to sugar cane in Cuba. So much so that he served him to achieve the noble title of Marquis of Marianao.
The heir to his title and his wealth was not in the Caribbean, but he paid homage to his predecessor by creating, in 1881, Parc Samà on the outskirts of Cambrils. There he built a summer residence surrounded by a hunting ground and wonderful gardens with an Antillean atmosphere with which to dazzle his guests, among whom there would be no shortage of great fortunes and rulers of the time, including Alfonso XIII. An elite of which he thought to be an active part, since Salvador Samà i Torrens in later years was both a deputy in the Cortes and a senator, in addition to twice holding the mayor’s office of Barcelona.
From the beginning, he envisioned the future Parc Samà as a sparkling space, which is why he hired Josep Fontserè i Mestres, the fashionable architect who designed the Parc de la Ciutadella in Barcelona who with great talent knew how to surround himself with the best collaborators. Among them, a young Gaudí already stood out, who also left his mark on this estate in Baix Camp, his native region.
Intervening with such names, it is easily understandable that today Parc Samà is classified as an asset of cultural interest, and is also included in the European Itinerary of Historic Gardens. It is one of the brightest corners of the Costa Daurada. A place where monumentality and exuberant nature go hand in hand, the tranquility and the surprise of an environment totally alien to what is expected in this section of the Catalan coast.
The park itself occupies an area of ??14 hectares. In them is the palace that the marquis built for himself and that, like the entire park, is still in the hands of his descendants. In fact, it is not uncommon to see the owners spending a few days there and coming across tourists who visit their domains. Neither more nor less than about 130,000 people a year. Of course, none of them access the private residence of the current marquise. On the other hand, the rest of the spaces in Parc Samà can be visited, both independently and through guided tours.
Perhaps the second formula is more interesting, this is how the thousand details of the property are discovered. Some as evident as the tropical echoes of palm trees, yuccas, horse chestnuts, fan palms or the immense marsh cypress that rises next to the pond. One of the few Spanish specimens of the species.
This pond, the epicenter of the estate, was conceived to navigate or cool off by taking a few strokes. Now ducks swim, frogs croak and dragonflies fly. Because the park is also interesting for its fauna. From its origin it had animals, some as exotic as monkeys or a panther that its founder ordered to bring. At present, fallow deer, macaws or peacocks are seen hanging around the visitors. And in addition, there are other more unique ones such as the golden pheasant or the Mediterranean tortoise protected here as part of the recovery program for endangered fauna.
Obviously the concepts of Parc Samà have evolved over time. Initially it was a private sphere where the most privileged delighted themselves while consolidating their alliances or signing lucrative deals. On the other hand, in the 21st century, it is a space committed to various environmental programs, to education and to a commitment to tourism that goes beyond sun and sand.
Hence, in recent decades, investment has been made in the recovery of the park and its historic buildings. And in the same way, activities such as the Cambrils International Classical Music Festival or the celebration of the Modernismo and Indianos Festival have been promoted. The cultural and natural heritage has been valued, especially thanks to the impulse exerted by Alfonso de Fontcuberta i Samà, VII Marquis of Marianao, between the end of the last century and the beginning of the current one.
He modernized the agricultural area around the park with a more modern farm. And he introduced novelties to revive heritage, integrating matters of environment, culture and tourism. In short, turning Parc Samà into an enriching experience for the senses and knowledge.
Today, an elegant conservatory bears his name. A corner overflowing with Caribbean plants and even from Madagascar, among which it is not uncommon for everything from songbirds to plump guinea fowls that roam freely. Both of them, just like the visitors themselves, are mesmerized by the music by Isaac Albéniz that usually plays inside. Undoubtedly, one of the most intimately pleasurable moments of the visit.
