The Marquis of Marianao died in 1933. The first public news had effect in the press by means of an obituary. La Vanguardia had established itself as the most effective and representative newspaper to insert it. The proof was that very soon it deserved the cover; sometimes there were so many that they filled several pages and the journalistic information did not appear except below.
It was important, therefore, at least to leaf through it already at breakfast time to find out if it was necessary to comply with some of the social acts required in these circumstances.
A large obituary announced the death of such an outstanding citizen: “Don Salvador Samá y de Torrents de Mota y de Higuero, marquis de Marianao, Grande de España, ex-mayor of Barcelona”.
He was the second marquis, since he had inherited the title from his great-uncle, unmarried and dead in Havana; and also had another marquisate, that of Vilanova i la Geltrú, received through the maternal line.
The origin of his great fortune, then one of the largest in the capital, began in Cuba and the Philippines. He was mayor in two periods, councillor, senator for life and deputy for Gandesa, always in the liberal party.
As soon as the construction of the Eixample began in 1860, the nobility and the big bourgeoisie immediately believed in the goodness of this adventure.
The Marquis of Marianaono hesitated to commission the construction of a palace in 1868 to the architect Josep Oriol Mestres at Passeig de Gràcia, 11. Víctor Balaguer, Baptist of its streets and squares, said that it was one of the most remarkable houses, a fact that was confirmed in 1872 when it appeared in the publication Photo album of the most notable monuments and buildings that exist in Barcelona
Its magnificence was concentrated inside, not on the facades. Its demolition in 1936 was regrettable.
Manuel Ribé, head of municipal protocol, explains in his memoirs that he had advised him in 1910 that, as mayor, it would be exemplary to pave half of the sidewalk, which was still dirt, on his own. “I have no obligation to do it”, he replied. He was right: it had to be taken care of by the City Council. local style
The photograph shows the sumptuousness of his burial, a spectacle that attracted the public’s curiosity.
