Tarragona's Pilats prison designated as Site of Democratic Memory

Spain's Ministry of Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory has officially declared the former Pilats prison, located in the Torre del Pretori in Tarragona, as a Site of Democratic Memory. This designation incorporates the site into the state inventory of locations linked to the struggle for freedoms, repression, and the defense of democratic values.

The Torre del Pretori served as a provincial prison from the mid-19th century until 1953. Historical records indicate that between 1939 and 1948, approximately 6,900 inmates passed through the facility, which was designed for a capacity of about one hundred prisoners. More than 60 inmates died due to inhumane living conditions during that period.

Tarragona Mayor Rubén Viñuales stated that the declaration highlights the importance of the site as a space for collective reflection on the recent past and helps preserve the memory of victims while promoting democratic values for future generations.