About us
Meet the owners of Torre Nova
Meet the people behind Torre Nova and the story of this place.
Jacqueline & Geert
We are Jacqueline Brakel and Geert van Heijningen, and we have been living and working at Torre Nova since 2007. We moved here from Amsterdam with our children, looking for a place where we could build something meaningful and enjoy a different pace of life.
What we were looking for, we eventually found here: a place in inland Catalonia where space, calm and quality come together, while still being well located and easy to reach. That balance remains at the heart of Torre Nova today.
The process of acquiring Torre Nova took time and was not always certain, which made it all the more special. We came close to buying it more than once — and celebrated just as often.
The Dutch owners of Torre Nova Resort
Over the years, we have gradually developed Torre Nova into the small-scale resort it is today. With attention to comfort, quality and the surroundings, but always with the idea that guests should experience their stay in their own way — with space, freedom and no fixed structure.
We live on the estate ourselves and enjoy helping guests discover the area and sharing our favourite places. After all these years, Torre Nova still feels like our place — and we value being able to share it with others.
The history of Torre Nova
Torre Nova has a history that dates back to the late 19th century. A local marquis had two sons. As was common at the time, the eldest inherited the family castle — the Torre of Claramunt. The younger son, the Marquis of Gironella, decided to build his own residence on the hill opposite, one that would match his brother’s estate.
This resulted in Torre Nova, a stately house completed in 1901.
In the 1930s, the property changed hands and was later owned by a veterinarian. From the 1980s onwards, it stood largely empty, until we arrived in 2007. After a careful renovation, Torre Nova regained its character and presence. Together with the nearby castle, it is now one of the defining landmarks of the village.
Torre Nova in 1975
A sustainable approach
During the renovation, we made conscious choices to combine comfort, authenticity and sustainability. The aim was to create a small-scale and welcoming place, with respect for the history of the estate and attention to the future.
Torre Nova uses solar energy for electricity, hot water and underfloor heating. Water comes from a natural source and is purified using a UV system. The swimming pool is also filled with spring water and treated with a gentle salt system, making it comfortable for guests and more environmentally friendly.
In spring and autumn, the pool is sustainably heated using a heat pump. There is also a charging point for electric vehicles.
Sustainability is not a separate feature, but a natural part of how Torre Nova operates — without compromising on comfort.
het vandaag de dag één van de blikvangers van het dorp.
Torre Nova at present
A place shaped over time
Over the years, Torre Nova has evolved from a stately family home into a place where history, comfort and surroundings come together.
What started as an ambitious project over a century ago is now a small-scale resort where guests can experience Catalonia in a calm and personal way.
