Ajuntament Vell (Dosrius)

Ajuntament Vell (Old Town Hall) is a centuries-old former town hall in Dosrius, a small town in the Maresme district north of Barcelona. It stands on the square beside the parish church of Sant Iscle i Santa Victòria, right at the historic heart of the settlement.

What is the history behind this building?

A stone lintel above the main entrance carries a carved inscription — "16IHS91" — pointing to the construction year of 1691. The structure began life as a farmhouse (masia) within the old Sagrera, the protected zone that traditionally surrounded a parish church and marked the earliest medieval settlement of Dosrius. Over time the farmhouse became the seat of local government, serving as the Casa de la Vila (town hall) until 1974. During the Spanish Civil War it briefly housed the local Antifascist Committee, and parish archives together with church altarpieces were hidden inside its walls for safekeeping.

What does the architecture look like?

The building occupies a corner plot on a rectangular floor plan and rises across two storeys — ground floor and first floor — under a traditional two-pitched Arab-tile roof, its ridge running perpendicular to the main façade. The principal front, facing the square, features a rectangular entrance portal framed by dressed granite jambs, topped by the flat lintel bearing the construction date. Above it sits a window with a stone surround, a moulded sill, and floral-motif ornamentation typical of the period. Between 1989 and 1992, architects Jordi Estrany Castany and Llorenç Campdepadrós carried out a substantial renovation, adding an elongated opening spanning both floors on the west side, sealed with a weathering-steel (corten) panel pierced by small square perforations — a deliberately modern contrast against the historic stonework.

What can visitors see today?

The building now houses the Municipal Historical Archive on the upper floor, while the ground floor accommodates various municipal offices. It remains in good condition, publicly owned, and freely visible from the outside, although it currently holds no formal individual heritage-protection listing. Together with the neighbouring parish church, the square where the Ajuntament Vell stands forms the oldest urban nucleus of Dosrius.

How do you get to the Ajuntament Vell?

The building sits right in the centre of Dosrius, on Plaça de l'Església, in the Maresme district roughly 35 km northeast of Barcelona. Driving is the most practical option: the town lies close to the C-33 road and the C-60 motorway, both with exits leading directly into the village centre. Bus connections also link Dosrius with nearby Canet de Mar and Mataró, the latter served by coastal trains along the Maresme line.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons, with mild temperatures suited to strolling through the old quarter and exploring the wooded hills surrounding Dosrius. In summer the town often serves as an inland stop for visitors heading toward the nearby Maresme beaches.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the Ajuntament Vell before it became a town hall? It began as a farmhouse (masia) within the old Sagrera, the area around the parish church that formed the earliest medieval nucleus of Dosrius.

Until when did the building serve as the town hall? It functioned as the seat of local government (Casa de la Vila) until 1974.

What is inside the building today? The Municipal Historical Archive occupies the first floor, while the ground floor houses various municipal offices.

Is the building formally protected as a heritage site? Despite its historical value and inclusion in the district's cultural heritage catalogue, it currently lacks a separate legal protection designation.