Gran Café Centre

The Gran Café Centre in Vilallonga de la Safor is a modernist building from the early 20th century that originally functioned as a casino and dance hall known as *”El Centre.”* Today, this historic building has been repurposed into a library and exhibition hall, while still retaining its significance as a symbol of the town’s cultural and social past.

Inaugurated in the first half of the 20th century, the Gran Café Centre was designed as a gathering point for the town’s residents. For decades, it became the social hub of Vilallonga, hosting meetings, discussions, dances, and community events. During its golden age, the café welcomed people of all ages who enjoyed lively conversations, a warm cup of coffee, and, on many occasions, live performances.

The building’s history also reflects the broader social and political tensions of its time. Around 1929, Vilallonga had a socialist club tied to the UGT union, prominent in the Safor region before the proclamation of the Second Republic. However, in October 1930, the monarchist mayor, Perfecte Forts, ordered the socialist center to close its doors at 11:00 PM, highlighting the ideological divides of the era.

Despite undergoing transformations over the years, the Gran Café Centre has maintained its essence as a key landmark for the community. It is fondly remembered as a representation of Vilallonga’s traditions and social history, embodying an essential fragment of the town’s cultural heritage.